The 48th Annual Denver Film Festival has announced this year’s award winners by selected jurors and audience members in attendance.
The Audience Award for Narrative Feature, which came first in the audience voting category, went to Strand Releasing’s “Calle Malaga,” directed by Mariam Touzani, who represents Morocco in the international feature Oscar category.
The Audience Award for Documentary Feature went to Comparsa, co-directed by Vicki Curtis and Doug Anderson. A Guatemalan-American co-production, the film explores the country’s vibrant Carnival tradition, confronting the intersections of art, activism, and cultural survival.
The Audience Short Film Award went to Sam Davis’ American film The Singers, which resonated strongly with festival audiences.
Two major Oscar nominees took home top honors in the jury awards. Olivier Lux’s “Neon” and “Sirāt” won the Krzysztof Kieślowski Award for Best Feature Film. Representing Spain in the international feature Oscar race, this unforgettable spiritual drama captivated jurors with its striking cinematography and emotional ferocity.
Meanwhile, Oscar-winning filmmaker Laura Poitras and co-director Mark Obenhaus won the Maysles Brothers Award for Best Documentary for “Cover Up,” which was acquired by Netflix.
“This year’s Denver Film Festival celebrated an extraordinary film lineup, visionary storytellers, and unforgettable experiences,” said Artistic Director Matthew Campbell. “The winners and honorees represent the best in bold, authentic storytelling, work that moves us, challenges us, and broadens the way we see the world.”
The 48th edition ran from October 31st to November 9th and continued Denver Film’s tradition as the region’s premier showcase for independent and international films.
The full list of award winners is below.
Narrative feature: “Calle Malaga” (Strand Release), directed by Mariam Touzani, who represents Morocco at the International Feature Oscar.
Documentary Feature: “Comparsa,” directed by Vicki Curtis and Doug Anderson, a Guatemalan-U.S. co-production.
Short film: “The Singers”, directed by Sam Davis (USA)
Jury Award Winner
Krzysztof Kieślowski Award for Best Feature Film: Sirāt (Neon), directed by Olivier Lux (Spain).
Jury Statement: “An unforgettable film, Oliver Lacks’ Silat transports us into a horrifying and benevolent world never before seen on screen, with stunning performances, sound design and cinematography. No one who has seen this film will be able to shake the emotion.”
Judges: David Ansen (Film Critic, Programmer), Clayton Davis (Variety, Awards Editor-in-Chief), Clara McGregor (Actor/Producer, “Bleeding Love”)
Maysles Brothers Award for Best Documentary: “Cover Up” directed by Mark Obenhaus and Laura Poitras (Netflix) (US)
Juror Statement: “In this brutally honest portrait of one of America’s most famous and complex investigative journalists, he shows us both the importance and the personal cost of speaking truth to power. ‘Cover-Up’ is a damning indictment of state-sanctioned violence and a keenly observed portrait of courage and faith.”
Honorable Mention: “Seeds,” directed by Brittany Shine (USA), was recognized for “beautifully documenting the way an intergenerational community cares for its own.”
Juror: Bing Liu (Director of Mind the Gap), Chris Gardner (Hollywood Reporter), Lisa Lucas (Arts Administrator)
American Independent Award: “Mad Bills to Pay (or Destiny, dile que no soy malo)” (Oscilloscope), directed by Joel Alfonso Vargas (USA)
Jury Statement: “A simple, humble, emotionally compelling and compelling film about the Dominican American experience in the Bronx. Writer and director Joel Alfonso Vargas has crafted an intimate story of struggle, hope, and the bonds of family.”
Judges: Jonathan Abrams (writer/producer), Matt Glover (Deadline), Megan Cruise (TikTok movie influencer)
short film award
Grand Jury Prize: “The Singers” directed by Sam Davis (USA)
Jury Statement: “This film creeps up on you like the slow burn of a cigarette, and the characters feel as authentic and textured as the cinematography.”
Best Student Live-Action Short Award: “Nervous Energy,” directed by Eve Liu (USA)
Jury statement: “A frenetic flow of energy supported by confident direction, a breath of fresh air that shines a spotlight on important new voices.”
Special Award: “We Beg to Differ” directed by Ruairi Bradley (Ireland, UK)
Marilyn Marsh Saint-Vertoli Award for Best Student Animated Short: “Detlev,” directed by Ferdinand Ehrhardt (Germany, USA)
Juror’s statement: “The more you spend time with it, the more you realize that humor equates to humanity. It’s a story that can only be told through that medium.”
Special Award: “Pear Garden” Director Shadab Shaegan (Germany, Iran)
Juror: Lucy Boulet (Neon), Coral Peña (Actor, For All Mankind), Denzel Whitaker (Actor, The Great Debaters)
direct award winners
John Cassavetes Award: Lucy Liu, “Rosemead”
Next50 Career Achievement Award: Delroy Lindo, “Sinners”
Best Director: Gus Van Sant, “Dead Man’s Wire”
Outstanding Performance Award: Imogen Poots, “The Water Years”
Outlaw Award (first time winner): Ben Foster “Christy”
CinemaQ LaBahn Ikon Film Award: Niecy Nash-Betts
Breakthrough Director Award: Charlie Pollinger, “The Plague”
Rising Star Award: Zoey Deutch, “Nouvelle Vague”
Stan Brakhage Vision Award: Peggy Awesh
Rare Pearl Award: “Hamnet” directed by Chloe Zhao (UK)
Music on Film – Film on Music Documentary Grant Award (MOFFOM)
Now in its ninth year, MOFFOM grants provide up to $20,000 annually in finishing funding for documentary productions with an emphasis on music licensing, scoring, and composition.
2025 Recipients:
“Bulletproof Stockings” directed by Nicole Teeny – $5,000 prize
“A deeply unique and deeply moving story about two talented women who risk their tradition and friendship to be heard to document the world’s first all-female Hasidic rock band.”
‘The Road to Ruane’ directed by Mike Gill, completed after Scott Evans’ death – $15,000 prize
“A spirited and generous portrait of Billy Luann, a Boston music legend whose passion and generosity transformed the city’s indie scene.”
Judges: Jonathan Palmer (artist advocate and music supervisor), Taylor McFadden (writer, director, producer), Mark Crawford (Emmy-nominated film and television composer).
