ON OCTOBER 5, 2025, THE MYSTIC FILM FESTIVAL NAMED ITS 2025 WINNERS DURING AN AWARDS CEREMONY AT MYSTIC LUXURY CINEMAS IN MYSTIC, CONNECTICUT, WRAPPING UP FOUR DAYS OF FILM SCREENINGS, PANEL DISCUSSIONS, WORKSHOPS AND NETWORKING EVENTS. WE HONORED STEPHEN MACHT WITH THE 2025 LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD.

Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient
STEPHEN MACHT

Grand Jury Prize Narrative Feature
OMAHA

Grand Jury Prize Feature Documentary
BAR

Grand Jury Prize Narrative Short
AN OCCURRENCE

Grand Jury Prize Documentary Short
THE HAPPINESS EXPERIMENT

Human Rights Award
THE RIGHT TRACK

Best International Film
WATER LILIES

Best New England Film
SHATTERED ICE

Best Conservation Film
THE RAMBA EFFECT

Best Narrative Feature
LOVE, DANIELLE

Best Narrative Short
SALLY, GET THE POTATOES

Best Feature Documentary
ANXIETY CLUB

Best Documentary Short
THE LAST HOUSEBOAT

Best Ensemble Cast Narrative Feature
ONE BIG HAPPY FAMILY

Best Ensemble Cast Narrative Short
CUT OFF

Best Actor Narrative Feature
CHARLIE GILLESPIE for SHATTERED ICE

Best Actress Narrative Feature
NICOLE RODENBURG for THE LONG RUN

Best Actor Narrative Short
DENNIS STAROSELSKY for WHAT IT’S LIKE TO BE OK

Best Actress Narrative Short
ANNA CLARE KERR for SHOULDER SEASON

Best Narrative Film Editing
THE RESONANCE

Best Art Direction
LANA DEE

Best Costume Design
THE ALPACA CONNECTION

Best Director Documentary Film
THE LADDER

Best Director Narrative Feature
ANDREW MACKENZIE MUDGE for THE ARBORIST

Best Director Narrative Short
CARO RIBEIRO for CAKE

Best Screenplay Narrative Feature
BATTERSEA

Best Narrative Film Cinematography
CARAVAN

Best Screenplay Narrative Short
WHAT IT’S LIKE TO BE OK

Best Documentary Film Editing
OH YEAH!

Best Documentary Film Cinematography
MY BACK PAGES

Best Original Score
NEO DOME

Audience Choice Award Student Film
WILBUR, THE KING

Audience Choice Award Narrative
SHATTERED ICE

Audience Choice Award Documentary
ANXIETY CLUB

Best Student Film
ONE NIGHT JAM

Best Student Film Director
THE NEXT BELLS

Best Student Film Screenplay
WINGS

Grand Prize Narrative Feature Screenplay Competition
THE SUMMER WE STOLE OUR PERMANENT RECORDS written by KERSTI NIEBRUEGGE

Grand Prize Narrative Short Screenplay Competition
THE BITTER END written by SARA BRUYA

Grand Prize 30 Minute Pilot Teleplay Competition
PUBLIC WAY TO WATER written by MARTY JOHNSON

Grand Prize 60 Minute Pilot Teleplay Competition
POWER OUT written by KEM JOY UKWU