The Filmfest DC 2025 Awards Went to...

Seven Days

Seven Days received the award for the passion of its storytelling, the effective cinematography, the strength of the entire cast, and its examination of a determined dedication to human rights that overpowers other sentiments, even love.

In Seven Days, the main character Maryam — a sister, spouse and mother of two — struggles to understand why her family cannot accept her decision to battle the tyranny of the Iranian government in her own way.

Seven Days offers the opportunity to examine the motivations, and debate the pros and cons, of individuals who take actions sharply contradictory to those established in the storyline. The viewer must justify or come to terms with the conclusion, creating an opportunity for substantial dialogue and conversation.

The Ted Pedas Award, the most important among those in Filmfest DC, aims to recognize a film that deserves increasing recognition and appreciation from a wider audience. The award honors Ted and Jim Pedas, founders of Washington's Circle Theatre, which set the standard for innovative quality film programming in the Nation's Capital.

Broken Keys

The Audience Award is sponsored by the American University School of Communication.

Bad Faith: Christian Nationalisms' Unholy War on Democracy

Jury Statement

Our panel unanimously selected "Bad Faith" as the winner of the 2024 Social Justice award. Bad Faith: Christian Nationalisms' Unholy War on Democracy unravels the forces behind the powerful movement of the Christian right.

The in-depth research that underlies this film reveals a cabàl of corporations and special interest groups whose portfolio includes the elimination of corporate taxes and defunding such public interests as the school systems and public health. A well-planned and well-funded initiative organized most especially by conservative strategist Paul Weyrich over several decades, took advantage of the expanding power of the Christian nationalist movement to deliver this message.

Well edited, with pertinent interviews from the Christian right and from activists such as Reverend William Barber, this is an important film that must be seen by everyone who is interested in social justice and the future of democracy in our country.

Rainbow Warrior

Jury Statement

The panel also wants to recognize a second film, the well-made documentary Rainbow Warrior, which investigates the bombing of the Greenpeace flagship vessel, the Rainbow Warrior. The jury recognizes this well-crafted and important film with an Honorary Mention.

Today I Will Only Come Home Tomorrow

Jury Statement

The Short Stories Award goes to director/animator Diego Lacerda for his animated celebration of the unique Carnival traditions of the historic town of Olinda, Brazil. Today I Will Only Come Home Tomorrow delivers ten points of view of this raucous street party, seamlessly melding the distinct artistic voices of ten different animators with joyful exuberance.

Our awards to short films aim to shine a light on work by emerging filmmakers whose work provides a rich, emotionally resonant experience that lingers and expands.

Don't Forget to Say Goodbye

Jury Statement

Don't Forget to Say Goodbye, about a young man grappling with how to bridge the emotional distance between himself and his dying father as he drives from New York to Chicago in what may be their final visit. Congratulations to director Alexander Zimmer, cinematographer Jeremy Handrup and actor Nate Wise for their subtle, moving and sightful imagining of protagonist Scotty's emotional journey.

Our awards to short films aim to shine a light on work by emerging filmmakers whose work provides a rich, emotionally resonant experience that lingers and expands.

Cherry-Colored Funk

Jury Statement

The MetroShorts Award goes to director-writer Chelsie Pennello, writer-composer Corbett Blair, and the incredible team at Yumeji House Pictures for their hilarious and relentlessly chaotic portrait of an entrepreneur in crisis, Cherry-Colored Funk.

Our awards to short films aim to shine a light on work by emerging filmmakers whose work provides a rich, emotionally resonant experience that lingers and expands.

Bad Survivor

Jury Statement

Bad Survivor, a brave and brazenly comedic story of a young cancer survivor's inelegant first days of remission. Director-actor Alex Dvorak draws on her own experience to humorously smash the taboos around what we "should" think and feel about surviving cancer. This iconoclastic delight is co-directed by Katie North who also co-stars.

Our awards to short films aim to shine a light on work by emerging filmmakers whose work provides a rich, emotionally resonant experience that lingers and expands.

The Sixth Child

Jury Statement

Signis is an international lay Catholic media organization which seats juries in some forty international film festivals worldwide – including Cannes, Venice, and Berlin – celebrating films of exceptional artistic merit that also delve deep into the human spirit.

The Signis Award at Filmfest DC goes to the film judged by its jury to "best illuminate and celebrate what it means to be human in a diverse and challenging world."

The Filmfest DC Signis Prize goes to The Sixth Child.

Writer/director Leopold Legrand and his co-writer, Catherine Paille, deftly tell the story of two couples from opposite ends of the economic/cultural spectrum who share a desperation: on one side to have a child, on the other side to avoid having an unaffordable sixth baby. The resulting clash of legal realities and human yearning leads to excruciating decisions and a moving exploration of the meaning of love. It is a film that brilliantly illuminates the human condition in these difficult times, earning it the Filmfest DC Signis Prize 2023.

One Careful Owner

Jury Statement

In this Spanish comedy two disgruntled women struggling with meaning in their lives overcome their mutual hostilities and transform one another through laughter to embrace the joy of life.