Salem Film Fest 2025 screened a total of 37 documentary films, including 22 features and 15 shorts. Among those films, this year the festival honors six filmmakers with awards which represent the appreciation of our audience and jury, and recognition of achievement in different disciplines in filmmaking.
In a unique tradition of the fest, winners in each category will be awarded original handmade trophies created by artists based in Salem. These awards not only honor the filmmakers' achievements but also celebrate the collaboration between the film festival and the local art community. As we explore the nominated films and the visionaries behind them, we aim to spotlight the talent and creativity that mark the highlights of this year's Salem Film Fest.
SPECIAL JURY AWARD:
LIFE AFTER — WINNER
Directed by Reid Davenport
Jurors include: Chris Metzler, Clemence Taillandler, Eric Ford, Sarah Vincent, Sierra Urich
Award by Scott Lanes
Award by Arlene Brown
CULTRERA CUTS EDITING AWARD:
SABBATH QUEEN — WINNER
Directed by Sandi DuBowski
Jurors include: Allyson Sherlock, Casey Carter, Eric Gulliver, Flavia de Souza, Sally Wu
Award by Melynn Nuite
AUDIENCE AWARD:
CHECKPOINT ZOO — WINNER
Directed by Joshua Zeman
HEIGHTENED SCRUTINY — RUNNER UP
Directed by Sam Feder
The Audience Award is determined by audience votes.
Award by Deb Linehan
MICHAEL SULLIVAN AWARD FOR JOURNALISM:
BLACK SNOW — WINNER
Directed by Alina Simone
Jurors include: Anna Feder, James Bennett II, James Sullivan, Peter Keough
Award by Elise Mankes
AMERICAN CINEMATOGRAPHER MAGAZINE AWARD:
THE RETURN OF THE PROJECTIONIST — WINNER
Directed by Orkhan Aghazadeh
"Visually, there are highlights throughout: gorgeously photographed landscapes; artfully lit, carefully calibrated interiors and exteriors; excellent use of framing and composition to provide thematic subtext; and a glorious use of a widescreen aspect ratio, which lends THE RETURN OF THE PROJECTIONIST a truly cinematic quality that underscores its very message about the joys and glories of movies and the sense of community they can create. As one local puts it, “Being in a cinema watching films together with other people is just different.” - Stephen Pizzello
Presented by Stephen Pizzello, Editor-in-Chief, American Cinematographer Magazine
Award by Sue Grillo
BEST SHORT AWARD
THE FLOWERS STAND SILENTLY, WITNESSING — WINNER
Directed by Theo Panagopoulos
Jurors include: Anna Barsun, Cam Howard, John Gianvito, Katherine Irving, Nathan Fitch
Award by Peter Grimshaw
Mass Reality Check Winners:
1st - PÓPO
2nd - THE CLIMB
3rd - YOUR HARVEST MAY BE DELAYED
Prizes will be awarded by our industry sponsors, Boris FX, Women in Film and Video New England (WIFVNE) and Mass Production Coalition (MPC). The first place winner will also meet individually after the festival with programming staff from Salem Film Fest to get advice about filmmaking as a career and receive insights into funding and distribution, as well as other professional considerations.
Award by Richard Flynn
Keeping It Reel Winners:
1st - A CELEBRATION OF LIFE
2nd - OUR KINK HAIR
3rd - MAKING MAGIC IN MARBLEHEAD
Our doc shorts showcase for Massachusetts high school students, sponsored by Boris FX. A jury will award software packages provided by our sponsor to the top three films.
