The awards are presented to filmmakers of the highest-scoring films in the

Narrative Feature Film
Presented to the filmmaker of the Festival audience’s choice of best non-documentary feature (60 min or more) of the entire Official Selection.

Short Film Audience Award
Presented to the filmmaker(s) of the Festival audience’s choice of best non-documentary short (30 min or less) of the entire Official Selection.

The final score is calculated by averaging audience ratings and multiplying by the fractional voting participation (that is, the number of people who choose to vote out of the total attendance at each screening). In the event of a close score ie. 1/10 of a percentage point, a tie is declared. Ratings and scores are entered on numeric scale via paper ballots and remain confidential.

2025 Recipients

Audience Feature Film Award: Espina, directed by Daniel Poler

First runner-up: Adiós Cuba directed by Rolando Díaz

Second Runner-Up: Magic Hour, directed by Jacqueline Christy

Audience Documentary Film Award: Selena y Los Dinos, directed by Isabel Castro

First Runner-Up: Chirino, directed by Jorge Soliño

Second Runner-Up: The Librarians, directed by Kim Synder

Short Film Audience Award: Night Train Last Stop, directed by Gina Margillo

First Runner-Up: Test of Time, directed by Julian Alicea

Second Runner-Up: Confession of a Jumbotron Addict, directed by Mickey Duzyj

Past Recipients