'The Singers', 'The Last Observers', and 'Éiru' Secure Oscar Qualification at Indy Shorts Awards Competition
==========================================================================
The Indy Shorts International Film Festival 2025, held in Indianapolis, was a celebration of short films from around the world. The event, hosted by Indy Shorts Artistic Director Greg Sorvig, saw the distribution of over $35,000 to 14 winners across various categories.
One of the highlights of the evening was the Pioneering Spirit Award, which was presented to Doug Blush. Blush, an award-winning director, producer, editor, writer, and cinematographer, boasts over 200 credits, including the Academy Award-winning documentaries "The Elephant Whisperers" (2023), "Period. End of Sentence" (2019), "Icarus" (2018), and "20 Feet from Stardom" (2013).
In the competitive Documentary Shorts category, "The Last Observers" emerged victorious. This film tells the heartwarming story of a Swedish couple who have found happiness by spending their lives as weather observers at an isolated station.
The Comedy Award was claimed by "Retirement Plan," while the Horror Award was won by "The Littles." In the Narrative Short category, "The Singers," an adaptation of a 19th-century short story written by Ivan Turgenev, triumphed.
The Animated Short category saw "Éiru" take the top spot. This film tells a compelling story of a child trying to bring water back to her village.
The Children's Resilience Short Film Prize was awarded to "Rise," and the Hoodox Indiana Spotlight Award was given to "Lisa Dahl: Blessed By Grace." The High School Film Competition Summer White Lynch Memorial Grand Prize was won by "Brothers," and the Indiana Spotlight was claimed by "The Audition."
The Richard D. Propes Social Impact Award was presented to "Hoops, Hopes & Dreams," and the Jenni Berebitsky Legacy Award was given to "Courage." The Lens of Hope Award was bestowed upon "The 17%."
The award-winning films from the festival are now available to watch in two virtual programs, Award Winners 1 and Award Winners 2. These programmes offer a unique opportunity for film enthusiasts to enjoy the best of the Indy Shorts International Film Festival 2025 from the comfort of their own homes.
