Sundance 2025 Winners Announced: Indie Films Shine at Park City Festival

PARK CITY, Utah — The 2025 Sundance Film Festival concluded Friday with a star-studded awards ceremony at The Ray Theater, honoring the year’s most compelling independent films and emerging talent. The event, which drew filmmakers, actors, and industry professionals from around the globe, celebrated storytelling across genres, from documentaries to dramatic features.

“Storytelling is important, part of human continuity,” said Sundance interim CEO Amanda Kelso, quoting festival founder Robert Redford during her opening remarks. The ceremony highlighted the festival’s commitment to amplifying diverse voices and innovative filmmaking.

This year’s U.S. dramatic jury, led by Reinaldo Marcus Green, Arian Moayed, and Celine Song, awarded the Grand Jury Prize for Dramatic to “Atropia,” directed by Hailey Gates. The film, produced by Luca Guadagnino and others, captivated audiences with its poignant narrative and striking visuals.

In the documentary category, Brittany Shyne’s “Seeds” took home the U.S. Grand Jury Prize for Documentary, praised for its powerful exploration of resilience and identity. Geeta Gandbhir won the Directing Award for U.S. Documentary for “The Perfect Neighbor,” a film that delves into themes of community and belonging.

Dylan O'Brien received the U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Acting for his role in “Twinless,” directed by James Sweeney. The film also won the Audience Award for U.S. Dramatic, solidifying its place as a festival favorite.

International films also made a strong showing, with Georgi M. Unkovski’s “DJ Ahmet” winning the Audience Award for World Cinema Dramatic. The film, a collaboration between North Macedonia, Czech Republic, Serbia, and Croatia, was celebrated for its creative vision and compelling storytelling.

Other notable winners included Rashad Frett, who won the Directing Award for U.S. Dramatic for “Ricky,” and Eva Victor, who took home the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award for “Sorry, Baby.”

The festival’s Next section, which spotlights emerging filmmakers, awarded its Innovator Prize to “Zodiac Killer Project,” directed by Charlie Shackleton. The film, a U.S.-U.K. co-production, was lauded for its bold approach to storytelling.

As the festival wrapped up, Kelso emphasized the importance of independent cinema in shaping cultural conversations. “These films remind us of the power of storytelling to connect us all,” she said.