The Reeling Film Festival has officially announced the winners of its 2025 Jury and Audience Awards, capping off another dynamic year for one of Chicago’s most beloved and enduring cultural events. The festival, now in its 43rd year, continues to highlight innovative, heartfelt, and boundary-pushing work from LGBTQ+ filmmakers around the globe.
Jury Awards Spotlight Bold Storytelling
This year’s jury panels brought together a distinguished group of industry professionals. Jorge Valdivia, Ellen Miller, and Qadree Holmes served as jurors for Narrative Features; Eileen Meyer, Joshua Coverdale, and Julie Keck for Documentary Features; and Verton Banks, Garrard Conley, and Andrea Krauss for Shorts.
Alejandro Zuno’s Newborn took home the Best Narrative Feature, earning praise for its compelling storytelling and emotional depth. The Best Documentary Feature award went to This Is Ballroom, directed by Juru & Vitã, a vibrant and intimate look at the communities that have shaped ballroom culture.
In the shorts categories, Snigdha Kapoor’s Holy Curse received Best Narrative Short, while Cameron Richards and Charlie Tidmas were honored with Best Documentary Short for We’ll Go Down in History. The Best Animation/Experimental Short award went to A Bird Hit My Window and Now I’m a Lesbian by Carmela Murphy and AJ Dubler — a title that drew plenty of buzz during the festival.
Reeling Audiences Pick Their Favorites
Reeling audiences also cast their votes, celebrating films that resonated most with viewers. Huang Xi’s Daughter’s Daughter won Best Narrative Feature, while Chicago filmmaker Jeffrey McHale’s It’s Dorothy! took Best Documentary Feature.
Additional Audience Award winners included Bisexual Crisis!!! by Lyndon Henley Hanrahan for Best Narrative Short, Babylonia by Duda Gambogi for Best Documentary Short, and Lisa Ott’s Dragfox for Best Animation/Experimental Short.
Chicago’s LGBTQ+ Film Scene Thrives
Reeling remains a cornerstone of Chicago’s LGBTQ+ cultural calendar, offering a platform for both established and emerging filmmakers. The 2025 winners reflect a growing global appetite for authentic queer stories told with originality and heart — a mission that Reeling has championed for over four decades.
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