San Francisco International Film Awards Celebrates the Art of Cinematic Excellence
San Francisco, California – The San Francisco International Film Awards officially concluded its latest, prestigious edition on June 11, 2026. As a benchmark platform for recognizing high-caliber filmmaking, the event once again succeeded in fostering a meaningful connection between accomplished global auteurs and an audience deeply invested in the power of visual storytelling.
This year’s showcase served as a grand stage for cinematic craftsmanship, championing works that exhibit both narrative weight and technical sophistication. By curating a diverse selection of films, the festival committee remained steadfast in its commitment to highlighting projects that possess a distinct cultural and artistic voice. The festival’s accessible online format ensured that these stories reached a global stage, further affirming San Francisco’s status as a cornerstone for international cinematic discourse and recognition.
The competitive landscape this year was marked by an exceptional breadth of talent, with submissions ranging from masterful narrative features to profound, emotionally resonant short films. Organizers highlighted the rigorous evaluation process, which focused on honoring the dedication and precision required to bring such multifaceted stories to the screen, providing a well-deserved spotlight for both established masters and emerging stars.
Reflecting on the festival’s prestige, participants turned to social media and FilmFreeway to share their experiences, often describing the event as a “gold standard for independent and international cinema.” They consistently noted that the awards serve as a highly regarded platform “where artistic excellence is honored and the integrity of the filmmaker’s vision is truly respected.”
Below, you may find the full list of winners across all competitive categories for this year’s edition:
Best Narrative Feature Film Hank is in town ! Hank est en ville !
Best Narrative Short Film Peanut
Best Indie Feature (low budget) Bad Day 2025
Best Indie Short (low budget) GRACE
Best Documentary Feature Tree of Fire: A Story of Love and Resilience
Best Documentary Short Dying for Water
Best Super Short Film Waterlogged
Best Experimental Film Oh My God, It’s Her!
Best Mobile Phone Film (Feature) The Werewolf in the Waves
Best Mobile Phone Film (Short) Urban Warrior
Best Humanitarian Film (Feature) Kaleidoscope Child
Best Humanitarian Film (Short) Cosmic Rhapsody : A Symphony for our Planet
Best Social Justice (Feature) TRESPASS
Best Social Justice (Short) The People, United
Best Animation Film Pinocchio and the Water of Life
Best Drama Film Sirà
Best Sci-Fi Film Finalist
Best LGBTQ Film Good Mourning
Best Student Film Whispers in the Wind
Best Women Film Breathing Bridges 2025
Best Comedy Film Polly the Poorly Rendered Parrot
Best Human Rights Film Unleashed, A Love Letter to Survivors
Best Covid-Theme Film Dont Panic
Best Horror Film Dead Note
Best Web/TV Pilot Tapestry Brewin
Best Web/TV Series Unbreakable Soul
Best Director Short Film Rewrite the Life Script
Best Director Feature Film Unleashed, A Love Letter to Survivors
Best First Time Filmmaker (Feature) The Best in the World
Best First Time Filmmaker (Short) Crossfaded
Best Producer Heart Attack: A hidden threat to the Asian community
Best Cinematography Am Wasser
Best Editing VITALITY
Best Actor in a Short Film Mayfly/Daniel Jiawei Li
Best Actress in a Short Film Cold Dark Hollow/Angela Lanza
Best Actor in a Feature Film Mysterious Pond/Masaya Kato
Best Actress in a Feature Film The Laundress/Jennifer Moriarty
Best Original Song The Making of Star Among the Cosmic Clouds : from Song to Symphony
Best Composer of the Future nowhere (work in progress)
Best Original Story ONOBIREN: A woman’s story
Best Trailer The Last Sunrise