The GSFF25 Scottish Short Film Award was awarded by a jury consisting of Joey Simons, a writer and artist from Glasgow who is a founding member of the Glasgow Housing Struggle Archive and is undertaking the Foyle Visual Artist residency in Hospitalfield House in 2025; Film and TV producer Carolynne Sinclair Kidd, with 30+ years in the industry as both filmmaker and Executive Producer of at the BFI/Creative Scotland-funded Scottish Film Talent Network; and Giulio Vita, founder of La
Guarimba Film Festival in Amantea, Southern Italy. It was won by Lisa Clarkson for Paternal Advice. As winner, Lisa Clarkson receives a cash prize of £1,000.

Chair of Glasgow Life Bailie Annette Christie said: “Glasgow Short Film Festival continues to inspire and captivate audiences, showcasing the very best in short filmmaking from Scotland and beyond. Congratulations to all the talented winners and nominees whose creativity and vision have enriched this year’s festival. Their work highlights the power of cinema to challenge, engage, and connect us. Glasgow Life is proud to support this vibrant celebration of storytelling, and we look forward to seeing the festival continue to flourish in the years ahead."

The jury gave a special mention to Baby directed by Eubha Akilade.

The jury said: “The jury wishes to give a special mention to an emotionally gripping and masterfully executed short film. Shot in a single take, the film immerses the audience in real-time, forcing us to endure the raw confusion and heartbreak of miscarriage alongside the protagonist. As the insidious nature of her controlling partner creeps into view, the ultimate revelation of her unhealthy relationship lands with devastating impact. The final shot, holding firm and focussed on the complexity of the lead's emotions, hints at a way out. A work of pitch-perfect storytelling, BABY cements Eubha Akilade as one of Scotland’s most outstanding new filmmaking talents.”

The GSFF25 International Audience Award, chosen by festival goers, was won by Claire Barnett for Freak. Claire Barnett receives a cash prize of £500.

The GSFF25 Bill Douglas Award for International Short Film was decided by a jury including Oana Ghera, Artistic Director of the Bucharest International Experimental Film Festival (BIEFF); Last year’s Bill Douglas award winner, Iranian underground audiovisual artist Saleh Kashefi; and Fransiska Prihadi, Programme Director of Minikino, a non-profit short film organisation from Indonesia. It was won by Maryam Tafakory for Razeh-del. As winner, Maryam Tafakory receives a cash prize of £1,000.

Matt Lloyd, Festival Director, said: “This has been an incredible edition of the festival, with sell-out screenings, exciting collaborations and guests from every continent. There has been so much warmth and praise around the Scottish competition, which I think was particularly strong this year.

The Scottish competition jury have chosen a winner and a special mention who both carry so much promise for cinematic narrative fiction filmmaking. Meanwhile the international jury has singled out two brilliant films who in different ways address concerns of power and freedom of expression at the individual and global level. Finally, as ever our audiences here in Glasgow and at HMP Polmont have demonstrated their exquisite taste in selecting two vastly entertaining works to take home the Scottish and International Audience Awards.”

The 19th edition of the festival will run from 18-22 March 2026.

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