NEWS
JUSTICE FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES 2025 AWARD WINNERS
Six Groundbreaking Films Honored at 13th Annual Event in New York City February 10-13, 2025
NEW YORK, NY — February 18, 2025 — The Justice Film Festival is proud to announce the winners of its 2025 awards, following the 13th annual festival February 10-13, 2025, recognizing exceptional films that illuminate important social issues, challenge conventions, and showcase stories of resilience and hope. This year’s award-winning films span a range of pressing global issues, artistic innovation, and transformative storytelling.
Spirit of Justice Award – Rule Breakers (directed by Bill Guttentag) This award is presented to a short or feature film that embodies the spirit of the Justice Film Festival—showcasing diverse stories of unexpected courage and redemption across global issues and landscapes. Rule Breakers reflects the universal pursuit of justice while telling a compelling story that inspires hope and dares to teach young minds to dream.
Audience Choice Award – Let Them Be Naked (directed by Jeff Garner) This award, chosen by festival attendees, honors a film that deeply resonates with audiences, sparking meaningful conversations and engagement. Let Them Be Naked follows designer and activist Jeff Garner as he confronts the hidden dangers of toxic chemicals in everyday clothing. Sparked by his mother’s death from breast cancer, Garner partners with global innovators to expose these risks and champion ethical fashion. Through his journey, the film envisions a healthier, more sustainable future for the industry and the planet.
Vision Award – Inheritance (directed by Amy Toensing & Matt Moyer) Awarded to a film that powerfully unveils the harsh realities of the human condition and our fractured world, the Vision Award recognizes storytelling that transforms difficult societal truths into films with profound beauty and consequence. Inheritance chronicles 11 years in the life of Curtis, a hopeful 12-year-old growing up in a family plagued by addiction across five generations. Through Curtis’s journey, it paints a poignant portrait of love, resilience, and struggle in the face of generational challenges.
Vanguard Award – Death by Numbers (directed by Kim Snyder) This award honors films that push artistic boundaries and challenge storytelling conventions. Death by Numbers exemplifies bold, visionary filmmaking that redefines how stories of justice are told on screen through innovation and compelling narrative techniques. The film follows a school shooting survivor as she confronts her assailant in a poetic journey to empowerment, offering a gripping and deeply emotional perspective on trauma and healing.
Climate Award – Fireline (directed by Robin Takao D'Oench) Given to a film that powerfully addresses the urgent climate crisis, this award recognizes films that shed light on environmental challenges, climate justice, and the communities most affected by ecological devastation. Fireline follows an inmate firefighter’s desperate attempt to call home while battling a wildfire with his crew. Highlighting the 30% of CalFire’s workforce made up of prison labor, the film is a tribute to these unsung heroes fighting climate change without a clear path to employment upon release. Fireline underscores the intersection of climate change, labor rights, and social justice, offering a gripping and necessary perspective on a crisis that affects us all.
Impact Award – Black Girls (directed B. Monét) This award honors powerful and thought-provoking films that illuminate the fight for racial or gender equality. Black Girls celebrates the resilience and advocacy of Black women who transform adversity into community impact. Featuring stories from Olympic icon Allyson Felix, food justice pioneer Olympia Auset, and literacy advocate Marley Dias, among others, the film highlights their diverse efforts to inspire change. Through intergenerational healing and activism, Black Girls showcases the unyielding spirit of women dedicated to uplifting their communities and creating lasting legacies.
“The Justice Film Festival is more than a showcase of exceptional films—it is a platform for change, inspiration, and meaningful storytelling,” said Justice Film Festival founder and creative director Andy Peterson. “These award-winning films reflect the power of cinema to ignite conversations, challenge perspectives, and encourage action toward a more just world.”
The Justice Film Festival remains committed to uplifting diverse voices and impactful stories that drive social change. Congratulations to all the winners and filmmakers whose work continues to push boundaries and inspire audiences worldwide.