Show Low Film Festival 2025

The festival’s growth was a central theme. “This little festival in Show Low is growing up fast,” said emcee Daren Webster. “In just two more years, we’ll be Oscar-qualified.” The event also garnered significant Hollywood support. Pete Wooster of Sunset Pictures announced that the top five winners would receive a private Warner Bros. studio tour. Wooster was later surprised with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his mentorship.

Heartfelt Moments and Big Dreams
The awards night began with a charitable auction, where a canvas signed by attending filmmakers sold for $500 to Jeff Reynolds, with proceeds benefiting the Timber Mesa Fire and Medical District. Reynolds then took the stage to announce the Glow Free Initiative, a personal project in memory of his late mother. The initiative will fund film scholarships and creative retreats, with the first five-day grant awarded to filmmaker Marilyn Swick.

Big-Screen Promises
Theater co-owner Lanny Croney made a filmmaker’s dream come true by promising a one-week theatrical run for a deserving feature. He immediately fulfilled this pledge, announcing that “The Dog Bite Murders” would screen for the next four days. “Features deserve to be on the big screen,” Croney said.

Award Highlights

• Best of the Fest: “Burrowing Owls: A Love Story” and “Hearts of Stone” tied for first place.

• Lighthouse Award: Jorrit Van Der Kooi received the producers’ award for uplifting others through his work. His feature, “The Golden Hours,” is now approved for Academy Awards submission.

• Acting Awards: Winners included Garrett Rader (“The Independent”), Gley Viera (“Exodus”), and youth actor Lux Elizabeth (“Project: Babysit”).

As the festival concluded, Dalea Faulkner encapsulated its mission: “I hope you take home more than a trophy… We want them to leave here feeling like family, having made connections.”

For a full list of awards and more information, visit showlowfilmfestival.com.