2025 Winners
Narrative Shorts
Awarded by Tatyana Yassukovich (Drexel University), Jacob Mazer (Bryn Mawr Film Institute), and Tatyana Yassukovich (Drexel University)
Practical Rabbit Hunting Strategies
Rishan Sathiyaa
Judge's Comments: This film had a mythic quality on an intimate level, feeling both cinematic and grounded. The writing and craft were excellent without ever feeling derivative and the story speaks to a coming-of-age moment many people can relate to. This film stuck in our minds in the weeks after reviewing it and gave much to reflect upon.
Jhumki
Malini Raman-Middleton
Judge's Comments: This film is exceptionally well-written and acted with a confidence in its scale. The story is both specific and relatable with many nuanced moments that are keenly observed. The blocking, production design, costuming, and storytelling were all thoughtful and showed a mature voice that could clearly grow in to feature or television work with time.
Echoes of oblivion
Sophie Martinez
Judge's Comments: This film is told with an economy that rewards the viewer with an expansive offscreen experience to reflect upon. Each moment is well chosen, exceptionally acted, and defies tropes or convention. The writing, casting, cinematography, editing, and sound design were all wonderful and the final moment is both quiet and bold.
ORANDA
Yvonne Li, Manuella Tang
Judge's Comments: This film is a spellbinding tone poem of a film where the interior life and emotionality of the character is vividly transposed to cinematic images. The story was simple and surprising, while the visual language was lush and very beautifully crafted.
1st
3rd
2nd
1st
-Official Selections-
Broken Wings - created by Nina Zandvliet
H@te Room - created by Quentin Pladeau
Mystery of the Keeper - created by Elina Myshanych
Entangled - created by Alice Ao
Don't Drop - created by Kyung Seop Chung
Power - created by Declan Reid Mueckel Cameron
-Local Selections-
You Don't Know What It Takes to Come Home - created by Andre Paras
Billy & Kidd - created by Lola Knox, Connor Fuges
Takeout - created by Zora Ball
Experimental
Awarded by Paul Bastin (MetLife) and Tom Myers (Skywalker Sound)
Towards a Better World
Atelier Caméléon
Judge's Comments:
[This film has] an outstanding collaboration between children as young as 4 to young 16yr old adults telling a story about life, love, and forgiveness all based on a horrific time in history. While the subtitles could use some tlc to better understand what’s being said, the message and sentiment is clear in bringing forth the memories of Simon, his voice and emotion conveying his unflinching resolve to fidelity towards his parents, and to all those that suffered such great losses. What a beautiful and poignant film that gives us pause to reflect in each of the perspectives that are given. Dare to watch it again, and ask yourself the same questions of motivation and circumstances. This is the beauty of what this film can do.
Look at Me
Patrick Jang
Judge's Comments: One of the hardest things to do in art may be to explore universal themes that have been examined many times before and find a fresh perspective. Patrick Jang has done exactly this in Look at Me. He has taken the common yet difficult ideas of a young person’s self-doubt, self-loathing even, insecurity, the fear of not knowing where or how you fit in, and through a very strong grasp of filmmaking technique rendered these feelings fresh through a unique, experimental and personal lens. The use of live action mixed with animation, and strong sound design and music displays a sure and exciting young talent. We are proud to recognize Patrick Jang and his film Look at Me.
Umbral Cloak
Cade Savage Schwartz
Judge's Comments: The word Umbral can be defined both as “shadow” and as “threshold”. Somehow, Cade Savage Schwartz has embodied a poetic sense of these words in an extraordinarily mature film for a young man. His film deftly creates a world of ambiguous mystery and tension through the use of beautifully crafted high contrast black and white imagery. It works on both an experimentally cinematic level and in service of the words of the poem that are the film’s inspiration. Cade’s sure hand with the cinematography, the editing and the film’s mix create an art work that can be viewed again and again and still have it provide new meanings. We proudly award Umbral Cloak with the second place honor.
Gouge Your Eyes Out
Sravan Antares
Judge's Comments: It is clear that Sravan Antares has a gift in taking an idea and creating a film that stays true to the concept and creative ends. Gouge Your Eyes Out is a strong artistic and poetic film that uses a visual perspective of closeups to convey an intimate and personal journey, bringing the viewer deep into the psyche, bridging perhaps to the third eye that is not where one expects it. This film could live as an installation within a museum, it’s ominous visuals and audio tracks creating a tension and giving the groundwork of questioning our own understanding, and not being afraid to provoke an unthinkable act to bring the viewer that much farther in.
1st
2nd
3rd
1st
-Official Selections-
I don't fear what I see, but what I don't - created by Jason Nolan Dobry
Psikedelia - created by İlkim Dila Göktaş
Amare - created by Patrick Jang
Dear Etoile - created by Victoria Cao Pham
Tides - created by Piotr Kaźmierczak
Trash - created by
New Man - created by Daniel Skomorovsky
-Local Selections-
Toaster - created by Ezekiel Lieberman
Fuis Avec Moi - created by Fiona (Yubai) Wu
Saddening Truth of Growing Older - created by Pauline Parris
I Don't Fear What I See, But What I Don't - created by Jason Nolan Dobry
Documentary Shorts
Awarded by Glenn Holsten (Independent Filmmaker) and Lise Yasui
(Independent Documentary Producer)
Foundation
Jack Hinz
Judge's Comments: Effective advocacy doc that relies on a well-chosen main character, rather than heavy- handed voice-of-god narration, to lay out the issues surrounding animal rights. Shots are nicely composed and lit; sound quality good; solidly edited; understated, effective use of music. The filmmaker evokes the personal pain of the protagonists- both human and bovine - through juxtaposition of bucolic imagery against the tools of slaughter. Reflects a lot of careful planning, production discipline and control. Well done (no pun intended).
Piece by Piece
Terry Harris
Judge's Comments: Very nicely constructed doc with a solid, provocative opening; creative shooting and editing of abstract imagery to recreate the traumatic incidents as well as recovery; and which displays great respect for his subject. The doc avoids too much explication and shines a light on the challenges of a young life that can inspire others to overcome.
Thunderbird and Killer Whale
Jason Cheng
Judge's Comments: A doc that honors its subjects by letting them speak for themselves. Nice use of understated music and ambient sound. Intriguing main character. Nicely shot with good use of camera motion, drone, camera angles, and closeup work. Appreciate that it shines a light on a part of the world and culture not often seen in mainstream media.
1st
2nd
3rd
3rd
-Official Selections-
My Life in Art - created by Anano Gogia
Guiding Light - created by India Anne Mitchell
-Local Selections-
Against All Odds: The Life of Cinematographer James Wong Howe- created by Andre Paras
ScreenPLAY
Awarded by Geo Decas O’Donnell (Germantown Friends School)
Serenity
Naomi Ding
Judge's Comments: This screenplay beautifully captures a transformative journey through the wild, unforgiving waters of Nootka Sound. Carly, a reluctant and privileged traveler, is thrust into an unfamiliar world where nature is both breathtaking and brutal. The storytelling shines in its naturalistic dialogue and gradual character development. Carly's journey from entitled disdain to humbled appreciation is subtle yet compelling, and her relationship with Will adds both humor and tension to the narrative. The imagery is especially striking—the mist-shrouded islands, the shimmering rain on the water, the chilling vastness of the sea—all creating a vivid sense of place that feels both isolating and awe-inspiring. Overall, this is a powerful coming-of-age adventure that juxtaposes human fragility with nature’s indifference, offering a poignant reflection on resilience, perspective, and the humbling power of the wild.
mother’s daughter
Aya Lyn Weber-Jacobsen
Judge's Comments: Mother’s Daughter is an emotionally raw and deeply compelling exploration of the pressures young women face in the modeling industry, the complexities of mother-daughter relationships, and the struggle for self-identity. The screenplay masterfully balances sharp, authentic dialogue with intimate, visually striking moments that reveal the characters’ inner turmoil. Bella’s journey is both heartbreaking and resonant, portraying the psychological toll of perfectionism with nuance and depth. The script’s layered character dynamics, particularly between Bella and her mother, are rich with tension and vulnerability, making every confrontation feel both devastating and necessary. With its sharp social commentary, gripping emotional beats, and dreamlike sequences, Mother’s Daughter stands out as a bold and unforgettable story.
Reverie
Kendra Michelle Williams
Judge's Comments: "Reverie" is a wonderfully crafted coming-of-age screenplay that captures the quiet beauty of human connection, ambition, and the weight of difficult choices. Its poetic dialogue and vivid descriptions immerse the audience in the delicate yet profound relationship between Maccha and Aella, making their journey feel both intimate and universal. The screenplay is lush with emotionally resonant storytelling, nuanced exploration of identity and ambition, and the seamless way it balances philosophical depth with youthful authenticity. The subtle tension that builds throughout—culminating in a heart-wrenching betrayal—demonstrates the writer’s skill in crafting compelling drama while maintaining a lyrical, almost dreamlike tone. "Reverie" is not only a story about college aspirations; it's a meditation on friendship, self-worth, and the consequences of our choices.
1st
2nd
3rd
3rd
-Official Selections-
The aftermath - created by Francesca Isabella Dieguez
My Last Picnic - created by Naomi Ding
My Lucky Fortune - created by Griffin Tien Althoff
The Time Blind Box - created by 余 望
Recovery Diaries Mental Health Youth Filmmaker Award
Awarded by Glenn Holsten, Gabriel Nathan, and Teresa Jaynes
First Place:
bROKEN wINGS BY Nina Zandvliet
Judge's Comments: Broken Wings is a sophisticated film about growing up, breaking away from the safety and security of family, and recovering from past trauma. The main conceit – that we all carry our young selves with us into adulthood – is expertly visualized as the main character, Amber, is presented in the film at three ages – 5, 12 and 19. Touching performances by all three Ambers and a tight script make for an emotionally rewarding film experience. We at Recovery Diaries strongly believe this film exemplifies our core beliefs in the intersection between creativity and mental health through Nina’s nuanced and brave exploration of abuse, trauma, and recovery in a way that is authentic and vulnerable.
Creative Eye Award for Excellence in Filmmaking:
Patrick Jang
(Amare: an interrogation of the past and look at me)
Judge's Comments:
Both pieces reveal a director with a steady hand, a strong command of visual language (filming and editing) as well as a powerful author voice. His works creatively explore issues of identity, including self-love/hatred, and feature unique structures and impressive production values. look at me includes startlingly effective animation and terrific sound design as well. Both works feature strong on camera and voice over performances.
“Remember to love yourself, always.” is the final line in look at me. At Recovery Diaries, we know particularly well what mental illness seeks to rob individuals of every day, and that is the ability to see what is loveable in oneself; it whispers lies and encourages cognitive distortions. Patrick’s earnest and beautiful filmmaking is an artistic antidote to what mental illness seeks to take away.
