“NYICFF 2025 Winners Unveiled: Must-Watch Animated Gems You Can’t Miss!”
Animation lovers, rejoice! The 2025 edition of the New York International Children’s Film Festival (NYICFF) has wrapped up, and the results are in. With a stellar lineup of animated shorts and features, the festival crowned its winners across the Audience Award, Grand Prize, and the prestigious Oscar-qualifying Jury Award categories. From heartwarming tales to socially conscious storytelling, this year’s winners offer something for everyone.
Audience Favorites: The People Have Spoken!
Determined by viewers across different age groups, the Audience Awards highlight the most beloved animated works of the festival. Here’s a breakdown of the top picks by age range:
- Ages 3+ – Tiddler, Andy Martin & Alex Bain (United Kingdom)
- Ages 6+ – Capybaras, Alfredo Soderguit (Chile, France, Uruguay)
- Ages 8+ – The Drifting Guitar, Sophie Roze (France, Switzerland)
- Ages 10+ – Fish River Anthology, Veera Lamminpää (Finland)
- Ages 12+ – Quota, Job, Joris & Marieke (Netherlands)
- Grownups Award (18+ years) – América, Javier Arias-Stella (Peru)
Jury Award Winners: Honoring Excellence
A panel of industry professionals selected this year’s standout films in animation and live-action categories.
- Best Animated Short – Sparrows, Rémi Duran (Belgium, France)
- A young monk’s journey is unexpectedly shaped by the arrival of a sparrow, leading to an adventure of self-discovery.
- Best Live-Action Short – América, Javier Arias-Stella (Peru)
Unstoppable Kids Prize: A Story of Strength and Resilience
Co-presented with Shine Global, the Unstoppable Kids Prize honors films that capture the courage of children facing adversity. This year’s winner is:
- Savages, directed by Claude Barras (France, Switzerland)
- The director of My Life as a Zucchini returns with another breathtaking stop-motion film. Savages follows Keria, a young girl living on the edge of Borneo’s rainforest, as she fights against deforestation while learning about her cultural roots through an unexpected journey with her cousin, Selaï.
Grand Prize Winners: The Festival’s Best
Determined by audiences of all ages—especially young viewers—the Grand Prizes celebrate the most outstanding animated and live-action films of NYICFF 2025.
- Best Animated Feature – Totto-Chan: The Little Girl at the Window, directed by Shinnosuke Yakuwa (Japan)
- Based on the best-selling memoir by Tetsuko Kuroyanagi, this film tells the inspiring story of a free-spirited girl who finds an unconventional school where she can truly thrive. Set in 1940s Japan, Totto-Chan is a heartwarming tribute to curiosity, individuality, and the transformative power of education.
- Best Live-Action Feature – Salta, directed by Olga Osorio (Spain)
- Best Short Film – The Drifting Guitar, Sophie Roze (France, Switzerland)
- A weasel selling ties embarks on a whimsical adventure, aided by an unlikely friendship with a hedgehog.
A Celebration of Animated Excellence
NYICFF 2025 once again showcased the power of animation to tell compelling stories that resonate across generations. Whether through touching narratives, bold social themes, or sheer artistic brilliance, this year’s winners reaffirm that animation is more than just entertainment—it’s an art form that inspires, challenges, and delights audiences worldwide.
With another fantastic festival in the books, animation fans can look forward to seeing these acclaimed films make waves on the global stage. Stay tuned for where you can watch these award-winning animated gems next!
