AFI Fest 2025: ‘Majonezë’ Takes Grand Jury Prize, Highlights Unveiled
UPDATE: The prestigious AFI Fest has concluded, wrapping up its 2025 edition on October 26. Just hours later, the festival’s jury announced the winners of its short film awards, highlighting remarkable creativity and storytelling.
The grand jury prize for live action was awarded to Giulia Grandinetti’s Majonezë, a compelling narrative that depicts a young woman’s struggle for freedom against the backdrop of the Albanian countryside. The jury praised the film, describing it as a “cinematic punk rock fable” that immerses viewers in “local rituals and natural wonders.”
In the documentary short category, Charles Frank’s Shanti Rides Shotgun claimed the grand jury prize. The jury noted the film’s engaging exploration of Shanti’s three-decade career as a driving instructor in New York, stating, “We enjoyed learning how to drive through the jam-packed streets with her,” highlighting her candor and enthusiasm.
The animated short category saw Nathan Engelhardt and Jeremy Spears’ Forevergreen take home the top honor. The jury remarked on the film’s touching narrative involving an orphaned bear cub and a father-figure tree, intertwining themes of friendship and sacrifice while addressing critical issues like greed and climate change.
Additionally, the jury recognized several films with special mentions, including Calvin Brown’s The Fisherman for its craft, Huiju Park’s Welcome Home Freckles for direction, and Said Zagha’s Coyotes for bravery in storytelling. Other notable mentions included India Opzoomer’s Poster Boy and Bára Anna’s 9 Million Colors for their visionary concepts.
AFI Fest, presented by Canva and with water sponsor Fiji, was held from October 22-26 at the iconic TCL Chinese Theatres in Hollywood. The festival showcased over 160 films, including seven red carpet premieres and a diverse shorts competition. Distinguished filmmaker Guillermo del Toro served as the guest artistic director, adding significant prestige to the event.
The festival opened with the much-anticipated Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere, featuring Jeremy Allen White as the iconic rocker. Other high-profile premieres included Noah Baumbach’s Jay Kelly starring George Clooney and Adam Sandler, and Song Sung Blue featuring Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson.
As the dust settles on AFI Fest, the spotlight now turns to the impact of these award-winning films and the talent showcased throughout the festival. Film enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating where these stories will lead next in the ever-evolving landscape of cinema.
