Our Winners

Over the years, the Westminster Film Festival has proudly celebrated both emerging talents and acclaimed filmmakers from around the globe. Many of them have gone on to win prestigious accolades—including BAFTAs, Academy Award (Oscar®), and major international festival honors—after being featured at Westminster Film Festival.

Winners of our coveted Westy trophy have secured industry recognition, global distribution, and valuable exposure to key decision-makers across film and media.

Grand Prix Award

WINNER - In Symbiosis, directed by Helena Berndl, Francesco Maria Gallo, United kingdom, 2 hrs 3 m

Westminster Voices (Non-Competitive) - Films Produced by UOW Alumni

Opening film: W: A Return to Oz, directed by Daniel Howard-Baker, 35 minutes

The Professional Parent, directed by Erik Jasan, 14:30 minutes

Good Choice, Joseph, directed by James Farrell, UK, 6 minutes

Best Narrative Feature

WINNER - Under My Skin, directed by Pascal Tessaud, France, 1 h 39 m

End of Trip – Sahara, directed by Antonio Rodríguez Cabal, Spain, 2 hrs 9 m

Alina's Voice, directed by Ilaria Braccialini, Federica Oriente, Italy, 1 hr 13 m

Best Documentary Feature

WINNER - In Symbiosis, directed by Helena Berndl, Francesco Maria Gallo, United kingdom, 2 hrs 3 m

Nansie, directed by Anna Trichet-Laurier, Australia, 1 hr 22 m

Zack in Many Colors, directed by William Burrell, USA, 1 hr 27 m

Paddle Out, directed by Sebi Lee, USA, 1 hr 32 m

Quiet on Set: The Class Division in the Film Industry?, directed by Mark Forbes, UK, 1 hr 11 m

Best Narrative Short

The Beneath, directed by Lisette Vlassak, Netherlands, 7 m

Turning Point, directed by Basile Vallet-Petit, France, 3 m

The Axe Forgets, directed by John Christopher, Ireland, 18 m

WINNER - Treasure Imagination, directed by Scott Rice, USA, 4 m

HONOURABLE MENTION - A Lady of Paris, directed by Steven Benedict, Ireland, 15 m

HONOURABLE MENTION - This is the Beginning, directed by Atticus Athill, 13 m

Best Documentary Short

Uncaged: Costa Rica's Last State Zoos, directed by Brian Moghari, Costa Rica, 11 m

HONOURABLE MENTION - Jama the Dandy, directed by Olivia Rutherford, UK, 12 m

Disposable Roots, directed by Igor Popeliukh, USA, 10 m

WINNER - The Human Side Of Plastic: Abby Barrows, directed by Andrew Lynch, Ben Ayers, Rush Sturges, USA, 19 m

Children's Parliament, directed by Anna Faroqhi, Haim Peretz, Germany, 13 m

Best Animation Short

WINNER - Ovary-Acting, directed by Ida Melum, UK, 12 m

Disturbia, directed by Mira Yankova, Bulgaria, 6 m

The Square Symphony, directed by Etienne Jaxel-Truer, France, 11 m

Best Student Film

Hot Mess, directed by Tortor Smith, UK, 3 m

HONOURABLE MENTION - The Taste of Pork Belly, directed by Sophie SHUI, Taiwan, 15

Death!, directed by Matthew B.C, UK, 6 m

WINNER - Girls Together, directed by Christie Arnold, UK, 16 m

Best Music Video Award

WINNER - Timeless : A Symphony in Motion, directed by Susan Mey Lee Lim, Christina Teenz Tan, Samudra Kajal Saikia, UK, 5 m

Midsumma, directed by Elijah McDonnell, UK, 7 m

Best Sound

WINNERS – Ben J. Connolly, Kevin Moore, Ben Meakin (The Axe Forgets)

Best Editing

WINNER – Alex Oderey (Disposable Roots)

Best Score

WINNER - Ben J. Connolly (The Axe Forgets)

Best Cinematography

WINNER – Naoise Kettle (The Axe Forgets)

Best Actor

WINNER – Bill Nighy (This is the Beginning)

Best Actress

HONOURABLE MENTION – Abi Tedder (Death!)
WINNER – Frieda Barnhard (The Beneath)

Best Director (Short)

WINNER – Christie Arnold (Girls Together)

Best Director (Feature)

WINNER – Pascal Tessaud (Under My Skin)

Best Feature Screenplay Award

WINNER - The Tree With No Heart, written by Aaron Huckleberry, Spain

Best Short Screenplay Award

WINNER - Purgatorio, written by Hakan Ünal, Turkey

Best TV Pilot Screenplay Award

WINNER - Patches, written by CR Sherman, USA