Hamnet, We Are Pyramids, Detlev named best in class;
Searching for the Light, She Dances, Sunburst top audience favorites
St. Louis Park, Minn. (October 26, 2025) – The Twin Cities Film Fest, presented by Stearns Bank, announced its 2025
award winners Saturday evening, recognizing films and artists across 10 top categories. The annual visual arts
celebration showcased more than 150 features, shorts and industry events, across two theaters (Marcus Theaters
at the Shops at West End in St. Louis Park and Mann Theaters in Edina) over the past two weeks.
Top Honors, Best Narrative Feature, went to the evocative drama Hamnet, which captivated audiences at TCFF with its
emotional depth and visual beauty. Directed by Chloé Zhao and starring Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley, the film
reimagines the life and loss that inspired Shakespeare’s Hamlet, exploring love, grief, and artistic legacy through an
intimate, poetic lens.
The year’s top non-fiction, Best Documentary, award went We Are Pyramids, directed by Dr. Tracine Asberry, a powerful
documentary that follows three Black American teenagers on a transformative journey to Egypt to explore the legacy of
their ancestral roots. Through travel, reflection, and cultural immersion, the film captures their awakening to liberation
and identity while celebrating a nation rich in Black history and excellence.
The Bill Cooper Best Minnesota Feature Award was bestowed to Silly Little Wounds, directed by Vanessa M. H. Powers.
The story follows six former theater students gather in their hometown for his funeral. With the pressures of marriage,
kids, and careers set aside for the weekend, the once tight-knit group finds themselves falling into old patterns.
This year’s 2025 TCFF Best Short Film Award was bestowed to Ferdinand Ehrhardt’s Detlev, the story a constantly
freezing man in his forties drives to a lonely petrol station every evening and orders a microwaved Toast Hawaii. Detlev
indulges in this in a bizarre ritual, because it’s the only thing that warms him in his daily life. But when he is observed by a
stranger one night, his world begins to crumble into shameful pieces.
“In celebrating our Sweet 16, I’m reminded of how vital it is to bring our visual arts community together and celebrate the
independent spirit that defines us,” said TCFF Executive Director Jatin Setia. “With two vibrant venues and thousands of
filmgoers, we welcomed both local and visiting filmmakers whose independent voices and storytelling continue to inspire
and connect audiences. The diversity, creativity, and sense of community shared throughout the festival — from heartfelt
discussions to spontaneous moments of joy — truly reinforce our purpose and our ‘why.’”
The 2025 Audience Awards went to She Dances, directed by Rick Gomez (Narrative); Searching for the Light, directed
by Andrés A. Parra (Documentary); and Sunburst, directed by Reid Cole (Short).
In other awards, director Eric Lin received the Indie Vision — Directing trophy for his direction of ‘Rosemead,’ starring
Lucy Liu, an ailing woman is stricken by the discovery of her teenage son’s violent obsessions and must go to great
lengths to protect him, and possibly others, in this portrait of a Chinese American family. Actor Jacob Tremblay was also
awarded the Indie Vision – Breakthrough Performance award for ‘Sovereign,’ directed by Christian Swegal.
The Indie Vision – Ensemble Cast was presented to directors Keith Gerchak and Marisa Guterman for their film, ‘Lost & Found In
Cleveland.’
This year’s Fun Is Good Bill Murray Comedic Shorts Award went to Taylor Bakken’s What’s The Deal With Birds?
About an amateur ornithologist documenting her adventures, Frankie chases after multiple species of birds in pursuit of
the answer to the most important question: What is the deal with birds?. Acclaimed actor Bill Murray again served as a
TCFF guest judge this year, choosing his favorite funny short from a trio of finalists.
2025 TCFF Changemaker Series focused on Domestic Trauma, showcasing several films on the topic. The culmination
of the series presented the MN-Connected film, The Seventh Turn, directed by Eric Howell on closing day afternoon
followed by an impactful community discussion. The Changemaker Awards were handed to Christy Shannon (CEO;
CornerHouse), Amirthini Keefe (Executive Director; Domestic Abuse Project) and Jillian D. Nodland (Exec. Producer;
The Seventh Turn).
Below is the complete list of 2025 award winners. To see a full listing of finalists, or for more information on dates of
upcoming encore screenings and special events, please visit www.TwinCitiesFilmFest.org:
2025 Award Winners
Best Feature Film: Hamnet, directed by Chloé Zhao
The Robert Byrd Best Documentary Award: We Are Pyramids, directed by Dr. Tracine Asberry
The Bill Cooper Best Minnesota Feature Award: Silly Little Wounds, directed by Vanessa M. H. Powers
Best Short Films (Tie): Detlev, directed by Ferdinand Ehrhardt
Audience Award, Feature: She Dances, directed by Rick Gomez (Runner Up: Rental Family, directed by Hikari)
Audience Award, Documentary: Searching for the Light, directed by Andrés A. Parra (Runner Up: Outer Edge, directed by Adam Zuehlke)
Audience Award, Short Film: Sunburst, directed by Reid Cole
Indie Vision — Directing: Eric Lin, director of Rosemead
Indie Vision – Breakthrough Performance: Jacob Tremblay in Sovereign
Indie Vision – Best Ensemble Cast: Lost & Found In Cleveland
Fun Is Good Bill Murray Comedic Shorts Award: What’s The Deal With Birds?, directed by Taylor Bakken
Changemaker Awards: Christy Shannon (CornerHouse), Amirthini Keefe (Domestic Abuse Project) and Jillian D. Nodland (The Seventh Turn).
MN Webfest; Best Short-Form Series – PAPER CUTS
MN Webfest; Best Series Pilot – DANA + CHAR
ABOUT TWIN CITIES FILM FEST
Twin Cities Film Fest (TCFF) is a Minneapolis-based 501(c)(3) non-profit arts organization founded by Executive
Director, Jatin Setia. We change perspectives, transform lives, and strengthen our communities by supporting and spurring
on the art of filmmaking. TCFF’s vision is to cultivate immersive experiences that amplify communities of creation,
celebration, and change. To learn more about TCFF, events, film submissions or to donate, visit twincitiesfilmfest.org.
ABOUT STEARNS BANK
Minnesota-based Stearns Bank National Association is a $3.1 billion, independently-owned financial institution with
locations in Minnesota, Florida and Arizona, and over 35,000 small business customers nationwide. Stearns Bank
specializes in nationwide commercial construction lending, USDA and SBA lending, and small business and equipment
financing.
ABOUT MARCUS THEATRES®
Marcus Theatres®, is the fourth largest theatre circuit in the U.S. and currently owns or operates 995 screens at 79
locations in 17 states under the Marcus Theatres, Movie Tavern® by Marcus, and BistroPlex® brands. Marcus Theatres’
facilities offer the latest amenities and technology in stadium seating, digital sound, innovative food and beverage
concepts and 72-feet-wide UltraScreen DLXs®.
ABOUT MANN THEATRES®
Mann Theatres® is a multi-generational, family-owned movie theatre chain dedicated to bringing people together through
the magic of the big screen. With locations across the Twin Cities and beyond, they create experiences that are fresh,
local, and fun.
CONTACT: Chad Olson, Nemer Fieger, colson@nemerfieger.com, 952-240-4982
