Beijing, China – November 18, 2025 — The 2nd edition of the 33 International Film Festival (33IFF) proudly announces the winners and official selections of Season 3, celebrating bold vision, emotional depth, and cinematic innovation from across the globe. This season witnessed an exceptionally strong lineup — including submissions from filmmakers featured at the “Big Three” European festivals — reaffirming 33IFF’s mission to remain one of the most open and genre-inclusive platforms for independent creators. From intimate human dramas and experimental comedy to profound documentaries and imaginative genre films, 33IFF continues to champion works that break boundaries and redefine what short-form cinema can be.
🏆 Best Short Film
Winner:
First Summer – Directed by Gayoung Heo
A deeply affecting portrait of womanhood and long-delayed freedom, First Summer examines grief, memory, and self-realization with extraordinary emotional precision.
Official Selections:
• 望野此间 – Directed by 丁智溢、赵裕涛
• 风 – Directed by 穆靖
• KAYAK – Directed by Shel Yan
• A PERSONAL CHALLENGE / ЛИЧНЫЙ ВЫЗОВ – Directed by Lena Zorya
• JULES – Directed by Tiffany M Abney
• Shape of Us – Directed by Jas Chu
• Padre – Directed by Michele Gallone
• Superbi – Directed by Nikola Brunelli
Special Mention:
Ilyukha’s Coffin Wouldn’t Open. Thank God – Directed by Alexandra Sher
A sharply inventive and darkly humorous narrative, the film explores how seven people closest to Ilyukha each construct different—and equally absurd—versions of his demise, all revealed when his coffin mysteriously remains shut during his funeral. A standout for its wit, originality, and narrative playfulness.
🎨 Best Animation
Official Selections:
Puppy Brand Breakfast – Directed by Aimili Alifu & Ziyue Zhang
📽️ Best Documentary
Winner:
Family portrait – Directed by Eugene Todich
A warm, tender, and contemplative documentary capturing the fleetingness of summer days spent with friends. Through gentle observation and beautifully composed imagery, Family Portrait becomes a quiet meditation on time, intimacy, and the emotional landscapes we share.
Official Selections:
• Scrap Works – Directed by Maksym Putintsev
• SǒN – Directed by Micha Volders
🎭 Best Performance
Winner:
Jin Heo in First Summer
Jin Heo delivers a profoundly nuanced and emotionally resonant performance, capturing the fragility, resilience, and internal conflict of a woman standing at the threshold of long-delayed self-discovery.
Official Selections:
• 唐子皓 in 日落后的二十分钟
• Marina Kaletskaya in The Lead
• ПАВЕЛ МАЙКОВ in A PERSONAL CHALLENGE / ЛИЧНЫЙ ВЫЗОВ
• Renelle Nicole in JULES
• Filippo Timi in Padre
Special Mention:
Chun Ming Mok & Zeno Ting Hin Koo in Shape of Us
A vivid, emotionally layered performance duo whose expressive physicality and grounded character work bring the film’s central relationship to life with authenticity and clarity.
🎬 Best Directing
Winner:
Superbi – Directed by Nikola Brunelli
Warm, charming, and effortlessly cinematic, Superbi follows the owner of an iconic fried-olive shop facing unexpected competition in a small Italian town. With its luminous visuals and soothing emotional tone, the film celebrates heritage, renewal, and the small joys that bind a community.
Official Selections:
• 望野此间 – Directed by 丁智溢、赵裕涛
• Family portrait – Directed by Eugene Todich
• Ilyukha’s Coffin Wouldn’t Open. Thank God – Directed by Alexandra Sher
• JULES – Directed by Tiffany M Abney
• Shape of Us – Directed by Jas Chu
• First Summer – Directed by Gayoung Heo
• KAYAK – Directed by Shel Yan
• A PERSONAL CHALLENGE / ЛИЧНЫЙ ВЫЗОВ – Directed by Lena Zorya
Special Mention:
PADRE – Directed by Michele Gallone
A striking black-and-white work set in a near future where emotions can be bought and sold. Gallone delivers a profound reflection on sacrifice, parenthood, and the commodification of feeling, crafting a vision as philosophical as it is visually arresting.
🎥 Best Cinematography
Winner:
Superbi – Directed by Nikola Brunelli
Official Selections:
• KAYAK – Cinematography by David Campesino
• First Summer – Directed by Gayoung Heo
• A PERSONAL CHALLENGE / ЛИЧНЫЙ ВЫЗОВ – Directed by Lena Zorya
• JULES – Cinematography by Jorel O'Dell
• Shape of Us – Cinematography by Wong Ho Ming
• Padre – Directed by Michele Gallone
📝 Best Screenplay
Winner:
First Summer – Written by Gayoung Heo
Official Selection:
• KAYAK – Written by Lea Ye & Shel Yan
• A PERSONAL CHALLENGE / ЛИЧНЫЙ ВЫЗОВ – Written by Lena Zorya
• Shape of Us – Written by Jas Chu & Chak-Ming Jason Lam
• A GOOD DEAL – Written by Marika Nikolova
• Padre – Written by Michele Gallone & Sara Parentini
• Superbi – Written by Nikola Brunelli & Emanuele Mochi & Giuseppe Brigante
Special Mention:
Ilyukha’s Coffin Wouldn’t Open. Thank God – Written by Alexandra Sher
🎞️ Best Editing
Winner:
Superbi – Directed by Nikola Brunelli
Official Selections:
• KAYAK – Edited by Shel Yan
• Family portrait – Directed by Eugene Todich
• A PERSONAL CHALLENGE / ЛИЧНЫЙ ВЫЗОВ – Directed by Lena Zorya
• JULES – Edited by Kari Heavenrich
• Shape of Us – Edited by Su Wai Ting & Jas Chu
• Il Volo della Falena / The Flight of the Moth – Directed by Nikola Lorenzin
• First Summer – Directed by Gayoung Heo
🎼 Best Original Score
Winner:
JULES – Composed by Lance Treviño
Official Selection:
• A PERSONAL CHALLENGE / ЛИЧНЫЙ ВЫЗОВ – Directed by Lena Zorya
• Shape of Us – Composed by Dan Lee
• Superbi – Directed by Nikola Brunelli
🔊Best Sound
Winner:
A PERSONAL CHALLENGE / ЛИЧНЫЙ ВЫЗОВ – Directed by Lena Zorya
Official Selection:
• JULES – Sound by Michael Thomas Silva
• Shape of Us – Sound by Kei Ip
• PADRE – Directed by Michele Gallone
• Superbi – Directed by Nikola Brunelli
• First Summer – Directed by Gayoung Heo
About 33 International Film Festival
Established to celebrate the art of short filmmaking, 33 International Film Festival (33IFF) is a quarterly competition culminating in an annual awards ceremony. 33 International Film Festival is a global stage for fearless independent voices. Our jury of international professionals spotlights originality, artistic risk, and emotional power.
In addition to international recognition and IMDb qualification, annul winners will enjoy a range of valuable benefits, including cash bonuses, exclusive offline screenings, and custom-crafted annual trophies.
We are also pleased to announce our official partnership with the Golden Panda Awards. Through this collaboration, all 33IFF seasonal winners will be automatically advanced to the second round of evaluation for the Golden Panda Awards, providing an exceptional platform for further recognition🐼.
