2025 BSFF Award Winners Announced!

2025 BSFF Award Winners Announced!

The Borrego Springs Film Festival (BSFF) has once again celebrated independent cinema with a fantastic lineup of films and filmmakers. If you missed this year’s festival, here’s your chance to discover the winners who stood out in 2025.

Explore the full list below and visit the BSFF website to learn more about these incredible films and the creative minds behind them.

Main Juried Competition Winners

• Best Youth Film Under 18: Guiding Light
• Best Student Film 18+: Brothers: A Civil War Story
• Best Short Under 20 Minutes: Twilight Cafe
• Best Short 20 to 50 Minutes: Teodoro
• Best Animation: Bulbank
• Best Documentary Over 30 Minutes: Ultimate Citizens
• Best Documentary Under 30 Minutes: Beyond the Herd
• Best International Film: Camping in Paradise
• Best Feature Film: Last County

Additional Categories Competition

• Best Comedy: Ms. Rossi
• Best Director Feature: Ian Ebright, The Way We Speak
• Best Director Short: Darcine’s Day
• Best Cinematography: Brothers: A Civil War Story
• Best Editing: Dormant
• Best Music Score: Ghost Town
• Best Performance Comedy: Sonia Barbadoro, Ms. Rossi
• Best Performance Drama: Jane Ives, Gone Before Your Eyes
• Laara Award (Tie): Ultimate Citizens and Zero Sum
• Callo Award: Gone Before Your Eyes

People’s Choice Awards

• Best Overall Film: Ms. Rossi 3
• Best International: Camping in Paradise
• Best Animation: Croak Show
• Best Documentary: The Ship That Turned Back
• Best Short: Ms. Rossi 3
• Best Feature: Stampila
• The Golden Cookie Awards
• Best Action Film: Rise of the Fallen Angel, Director Robert Stronger
• Best Drama: God & Buddha Are Friends, Director Anthony Ma

Why BSFF Is Special

The Borrego Springs Film Festival is a true celebration of independent cinema. With events like catered galas, filmmaker networking opportunities, panel discussions, red carpet moments, and award ceremonies, it’s more than a festival—it’s a community.

Their “traditional film festival” model focuses on connecting film lovers to filmmakers in a personal and encouraging way. Whether you’re attending for the films, the people, or the atmosphere, BSFF offers an unforgettable experience.

Discover More

Want to see trailers, posters, or learn about the filmmakers? Visit the Borrego Springs Film Festival website and dive into the world of independent film.