AFI Fest Winners: ‘Majonezë’, ‘Forevergreen’ & ‘Shanti Rides Shotgun’ Take Grand Jury Prizes
We have the winners at the 2025 AFT Fest: The envelope, please…
The Grand Jury prizes went to Giulia Grandinetti’s live-action short Majonezë, Charles Frank’s documentary short Shanti Rides Shotgun, and Nathan Engelhardt and Jeremy Spears’ toon short Forevergreen. See the jury’s statements on those pics below, followed by the films that earned Special Jury Mentions.
The event ran October 22-26 in Hollywood.
The jury said of Majonezë: “A young woman breaks free from the imposing forces of her life in this well-acted tale of family, love, and rebellion. Immersing us in the local rituals and natural wonders of the Albanian countryside, Majonezë is an entertaining, cinematic punk rock fable.”
Its statement on Shanti Rides Shotgun: “For having the intuition to know this local character deserves the spotlight and the skillful economic storytelling that lets her story shine, we award the Grand Jury Prize – Documentary to Shanti Rides Shotgun. We enjoyed learning how to drive through the jam-packed streets of New York with Shanti. The candor, enthusiasm and commitment she brings to her job as a driving instructor for three decades left us wanting to go on a joy ride with her.”
ON Forevergreen: “Forevergreen captivates with its beautifully realized visual world and profound emotional resonance. Through the touching relationship between an orphaned bear cub and a father-figure tree, the film intertwines themes of friendship and sacrifice with incisive commentary on greed and climate change. It is a work that both enchants and challenges us, reminding us of the fragile interdependence between nature, compassion and survival.”
Here are the films receiving Special Jury Mentions, with comments by jury members:
Special Jury Mention for Craft
The Fisherman (Dir. Calvin Brown)
Katherine Propper: “With its top-tier “animagic” style, THE FISHERMAN lures us into the haunting Biblical story of Job. The poetry of speech and skilled craftsmanship on display here is astounding.”
Special Jury Mention for Direction – Documentary Short
Welcome Home Freckles (Dir. Huiju Park)
Sue-Ellen Chitunya: “It’s no easy feat directing oneself in a deeply personal family story where you’re the central character. We were moved by how Huiju delicately balances capturing images and telling an introspective story of unresolved conflicts from her childhood, through difficult conversations with her parents and family members.”
Special Jury Mention for Bravery in Storytelling
Coyotes (Dir. Said Zagha)
Chitunya: “Coyotes receives a special mention for its bravery in storytelling, with its humanely challenging look at what choices one might make in order to survive in war-torn regions.”
Special Jury Mention for Direction – Live Action Short
Poster Boy (Dir. India Opzoomer)
Rachel Walker: “Every frame counts in this precise and thoughtful glimpse into the audition of an ambitious ’90s boy band hopeful. Throw in the superb tension and pitch-perfect performances, and there’s no question that India Opzoomer is a director to watch. “
Special Jury Mention for Vision – Animation Short
9 Million Colors (Dir. Bára Anna)
Chitunya: “A vibrant and melodious stop motion animation with no dialogue, that deftly portrays an unlikely friendship between a mantis shrimp and a blind fish. 9 Million Colors is joyous to watch, it gives us a new way to see the magical world that lives under the sea.”
Special Jury Mention for Vision – Live Action Shor
Water Sports (Dir. Whammy Alcazaren)
Katherine Propper: “A vibrant, apocalyptic vision by a filmmaker having so much fun with composition and form. Water Sports pulses to the beat of its fiery drum.”
