Stories That Connect: The Independent Film Showcase
Independent filmmakers are the lifeblood of our industry. They push boundaries, challenge conventions, and bring fresh, authentic voices to the big screen. We believe their unique perspectives are vital for keeping cinematic storytelling vibrant and relevant. From powerful dramas to eye-opening documentaries, our curated selection of 49 films from 18 countries is a testament to the diverse and innovative spirit of these artists.
This year’s films offer a captivating glimpse into the global human experience. You’ll find stories that inspire, challenge, and connect us all—exploring universal themes like hope, resilience, love, and loss. Each one is a window into a new world, a testament to the power of a single vision.
Join us in celebrating these cinematic pioneers and the future they’re building, one frame at a time. The festival will be held in person at the TCL Chinese Theatre (6801 Hollywood Blvd. 3rd floor, Hollywood CA 90028) from Thursday, November 6, through Sunday, November 9. Be there for unforgettable screenings and our awards ceremony, where we honor the best and brightest in independent film.
Don’t miss your chance to experience the next chapter of cinematic history.
OFFICIAL SELECTION AND NOMINATION OF THE 2025 ARPA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
FEATURE NARRATIVE FILMS
WINNER – BEST SCREENPLAY: A Winter’s Song directed by Angela Asatrian (United States)
Accomplices directed by Marko Novakovic (Serbia)
NOMINEE: Dashing Through the Snow directed by Prince Bagdasarian (United States)
NOMINEE: Deadly Vows directed by Jared Cohn (United States)
Excellency directed by Ricardo Pugschitz de Oliveira (Portugal)
From Within directed by Matias Xavier Rispau (Argentina)
NOMINEE: How to Survive Hollywood directed by Paul Ruven (Netherlands)
My Last Best Friend directed by Filippo M. Prandi (United States)
WINNER – BEST DIRECTOR: Shakkar directed by Nasim Kiani (United States)
WINNER – BEST FEATURE NARRATIVE FILM: The Reverse Side of the Medal directed by Anna Harutyunyan (Armenia)
NOMINEE: Trifole directed by Gabriele Fabbro (Italy)
FEATURE-LENGTH DOCUMENTARIES
NOMINEE: A Suitcase to Home directed by Yelena Arshakyan (Armenia)
My Name Is Robert Ruark directed by Si Paros (Australia)
WINNER – BEST FEATURE-LENGTH DOCUMENTARY: Saffron Robe directed by Jane Centofante (United States)
Siranoosh: An Armenian Journey directed by Paul Jonathan Rigg (Spain)
SHORT DOCUMENTARIES
NOMINEE: Echoes From The Kitchen – A Tale of Comida & Cultura directed by Chef Eddie Garza (United States)
NOMINEE: Endless Exile directed by Mano Baghjajian (United States)
NOMINEE: Le Paradis Est La directed by Arnaud Serval, Aristide Ndah, Oussama Zidane, Youssef Boumbarek (Morocco)
WINNER – BEST SHORT DOCUMENTARY: Rabota directed by Irit Tarasula (Israel)
Restoring the Past directed by Nairi Bandari (United States)
NOMINEE: The Intimate Melodies of Anatolia – MiASiN❗️“Together” directed by Armen Ghazarian (France)
NOMINEE: Whatever Dreams They Had directed by Stephanie Ayanian, Joseph Myers (United States)
SHORT FILMS
WINNER – BEST SHORT FILM (TIE): 9.1.6 directed by Hrachya Zakaryan (Armenia)
Anachronism directed by Nick Talarico (United States, United States)
Betty Bird Goes to War directed by Stephanie Chloe Hepner (Canada)
NOMINEE: Curcumin directed by Jusang Park (South Korea)
NOMINEE: Doubts at the Door directed by Alejandra Vidal (Mexico)
Meet Again directed by Xuefei Chang (China)
Money 金莫 Monet directed by Stéphane Galienni (France)
NOMINEE: Nemesis directed by Zin Ataş (Turkey)
Olives directed by Nash Mc Reynolds (United States)
Pomegranate Tree directed by Hesou Zetelian (United States)
NOMINEE: Seed by the Lethe directed by Leon Sunton (China)
WINNER – BEST SHORT FILM (TIE): The Circus Lion directed by Tigran Tovmasian (Australia)
NOMINEE: The Haze directed by Craig Deering (United States)
The Hike directed by Erik Palladino (United States)
The Ride directed by Slava Denisov (United States)
NOMINEE: The World Is Ours (Her Story) directed by Areg Azatyan (United States)
Why Dogs Howl directed by Sandi Johnson (United States)
ANIMATED FILMS
WINNER – BEST ANIMATED FILM: Adam directed by Fadi Azra (Syrian Arab Republic)
NOMINEE: Demi-Demons directed by Martin Gerigk (Germany)
NOMINEE: In Half directed by Jorge Morais Valle (Spain)
MUSIC VIDEOS
NOMINEE: Angel directed by Blooming Fire, Nick Jones (United States)
Don’t You Know directed by VONJAKO (United States)
WINNER – MUSIC VIDEO: It Sucks to Be You directed by VONJAKO (United States)
NOMINEE: La Vita Danza directed by VONJAKO (Italy)
NOMINEE: Mai Piû directed by VONJAKO (Italy)
NOMINEE: Seal Lullaby directed by Xin Li (China)
NOMINEE: Won’t Be Around directed by Terry Blade (United States)
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL SELECTED FILMMAKERS!