11th NATIONAL and INTERNATIONAL
BENALLA SHORT FILM FESTIVAL 2025
Award Winners
Bruce Hunt-Hughes, Hayley Warnock, Lily Lunder, Han Soo Yoo, Emma Oxley and Krista Vendy
BEST STUDENT FILM $500
“Stonewall” by Lily Lunder & Koko Crozier
Sponsored by Benalla Rotary Club
BEST LOCAL FILM $250
“Koala-fied to Survive” by Hayley Warnock
Sponsored by Benalla Bowls Club
BEST DOCUMENTARY $500
“Women of the Waves” by Han Soo Yoo
Sponsored by The Willow Award
KEVIN PERRY ENCOURAGEMENT AWARD $250
'Aurora Australis' by Rene Martens
Sponsored by Laurie Watters and Associates
BEST PERFORMANCE $200
Steve Bastoni in “The Mediator"
Sponsored by North East Podiatry
PEOPLE’S CHOICE $250
Hayley Warnock
Sponsored by Benalla Travel
BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM $500
“Hold” by Josiah Junqueira Spencer
Sponsored by Anna Greenhalgh
JUDGES AWARD - BEST AUSTRALIAN FILM $1,000
“Human Resources” by Joel Stephen Fleming
Sponsored by Benalla Businesses
“Stonewall” by Lily Lunder & Koko Crozier
Sponsored by Benalla Rotary Club
BEST LOCAL FILM $250
“Koala-fied to Survive” by Hayley Warnock
Sponsored by Benalla Bowls Club
BEST DOCUMENTARY $500
“Women of the Waves” by Han Soo Yoo
Sponsored by The Willow Award
KEVIN PERRY ENCOURAGEMENT AWARD $250
'Aurora Australis' by Rene Martens
Sponsored by Laurie Watters and Associates
BEST PERFORMANCE $200
Steve Bastoni in “The Mediator"
Sponsored by North East Podiatry
PEOPLE’S CHOICE $250
Hayley Warnock
Sponsored by Benalla Travel
BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM $500
“Hold” by Josiah Junqueira Spencer
Sponsored by Anna Greenhalgh
JUDGES AWARD - BEST AUSTRALIAN FILM $1,000
“Human Resources” by Joel Stephen Fleming
Sponsored by Benalla Businesses
Judges' Selections
"Out of the 87 films submitted in 2025, here are the 10 finalists screened at two sessions on Sunday 9th November as part of the Benalla Festival ..."
"Women of the Waves" (5:06), Director Han Soo Yoo, Victoria
"The Pomegranate" (13:40), Director Mehrdad Jalali, Iran
"Stonewall" (5:00), Directors Lily Lunder & Koko Crozier, Victoria
"The Mediator" (11:45), Director Roman Anastasios, Victoria
"A Culinary of Errors" (6:33), Director Sherree Dawn Halliwell, Victoria
"Koala-fied to Survive" (12:17), Director Hayley Warnock, Victoria
"The Story Of Angelique" (3:24), Director Jessica Cross, Queensland
"Aurora Australis" (3:05), Director Rene Martens, Victoria
"Hold" (14:45), Director Josiah Junqueira Spencer, U.S.A.
"Human Resources" (12:03), Director Joel Stephen Fleming, Queensland
"We are profoundly grateful to the film makers from across Australia and around the globe and the countless other individuals whose dedication and efforts made this festival possible"
