What an amazing weekend of screenings! We hope you loved seeing your film on the big screen as they were enjoyed and celebrated by the audience.
So much great work! Every film was worthy and each of you should be very proud of the accomplishment!
Announcing the nominations and the top films is always both exciting and also difficult. This year was no exception, there were so many films that were excellent and yet did not make the top films.
Our panel of 26 judges made the extremely hard choices. Remember art is subjective and these results are only the opinion of our collective judges.
We highly encourage all of our participants to enter their new 2025 films into other festivals. Many of our previous filmmakers who didn’t make top films have done very well in other festivals.
And now the moment you have been waiting for..
Official 2025 Nominations List
Best Actor Nominations
Anthony Hunke – The Ravaging – Team 5
Paul Economon – Bigfoot: The Adventures of Jurgen and Carl – Team 11
Ernest Howard – Pass The Rock – Team 19
Jarrod Crooks – Omnisuit – All Stars – Team 41
Anthony Hunke – All You Had to Do – Team 50
Sona “Slink Proper” Akale – an Element of Pugilism – Team 52
Best Actress Nominations
Kari Layland – The Ravaging – Team 5
Karen Voels – Yesterdays & Tomorrows – Team 7
Tessa Torreano – Goodnight My Demons – Team 12
Gael Palen – Dana in the Nightmare: Latent – Team 31
Makenzie Johnston – Omnisuit – All Stars – Team 41
Susan Chambers – FIXATION – Team 44
Best Supporting Actor
Brett Bullock – The Ravaging – Team 5
Lee Fillingsness – Better Watch Out – Team 6
Troy LaFaye – Bigfoot: The Adventures of Jurgen and Carl – Team 11
Andrew Stecker – Dana in the Nightmare: Latent – Team 31
Andrew Stecker – Omnisuit – All Stars – Team 41
Brian Nelson – The Abductors – Team 58
Best Supporting Actress
Holli Buhr – The Ravaging – Team 5
Calli Argent – Yesterdays & Tomorrows – Team 7
Janelle Karlsrud and Abbey Lowenstein – Stakes/Steaks – Team 27
Erin Pecha – Terms & Conditions – Team 40
Chika Chan – Omnisuit – All Stars – Team 41
Ellen Engelson – FIXATION – Team 44
Best Child Actor
Weston Rabbitt – The Ravaging – Team 5
Walter Rabbitt – Better Watch Out – Team 6
Devontez Davis – Pass The Rock – Team 19
Dean St Cyr – Silent Journey – Team 38
Maddox Tabalba – Terms & Conditions – Team 40
Best Child Actress
Zahra Layland – The Ravaging – Team 5
Annabelle Layland – Better Watch Out – Team 6
Presley Grams – Stall Tactics – Team 18
Tenley Boushek – Silent Journey – Team 38
Calista Buhr – Bad Interview – Team 55
Lena Weber – Shadow Puppets – Team 56
Best Villain
The Dogfather – Team 2
Better Watch Out – Team 6
Goodnight My Demons – Team 12
Nahemoth – Team 24
Omnisuit – All Stars – Team 41
FIXATION – Team 44
The Abductors – Team 58
Best Hero/ Heroine
The Ravaging – Team 5
Ourselves – Team 16
Dana in the Nightmare: Latent – Team 31
Pursued – Team 51
an Element of Pugilism – Team 52
The Abductors – Team 58
Best Anthropomorphic Character
The Dogfather – Team 2
Goodnight My Demons – Team 12
DOLLMINATION – Team 29
Omnisuit – All Stars – Team 41
Best Directing
Alex Rumsey And Tristan Crawford – The Dogfather – Team 2
Zach A. Crotty – Beyond The Grave – Team 3
Kari Layland – The Ravaging – Team 5
Kari Layland – Better Watch Out – Team 6
Lukas Medin – Goodnight My Demons – Team 12
Jarrod Crooks – Omnisuit – All Stars – Team 41
Nathan Block – The Abductors – Team 58
Best Cinematography
Kari Layland – The Ravaging – Team 05
Jarrod Crooks – Bigfoot: The Adventures of Jurgen and Carl – Team 11
Victoria Bruce – Goodnight My Demons – Team 12
Alex Suszko – My Little Sunflower – Team 15
Luke Oleen-Junk – Stakes/Steaks – Team 27
Jarrod Crooks – Omnisuit – All Stars – Team 41
Daniel Dockery – The Abductors – Team 58
Best Editing
Kari Layland – The Ravaging – Team 5
Kari Layland – Better Watch Out – Team 6
Brady Bruce – Goodnight My Demons – Team 12
Jordan Lynn – Pass The Rock – Team 19
Jarrod Crooks – Omnisuit – All Stars – Team 41
Nick Michael – Pursued – Team 51
Theresa Alvarado – The Abductors – Team 58
Best Lighting
Ryan Witte – The Dogfather – Team 2
Kari Layland – The Ravaging – Team 5
August Fjelstad – Goodnight My Demons – Team 12
Greg Borman and Luke Oleen-Junk – Stakes/Steaks – Team 27
Jeff Villars – FIXATION – Team 44
Jeff Villars – The Abductors – Team 58
Best Color Correction
Vanessa Magowan Horrocks Powers – The Dogfather – Team 2
Kari Layland – The Ravaging – Team 5
Kari Layland – Better Watch Out – Team 6
Jacob Velander & Jordan Lynn – Pass The Rock – Team 19
Vanessa Magowan Horrocks Powers and Luke Oleen-Junk – Stakes/Steaks – Team 27
Allan H. Johnson – FIXATION – Team 44
Best Visual Effects
Vanessa Magowan Horrocks Powers – The Dogfather – Team 2
Kurtis Benson & Steve Medin – Goodnight My Demons – Team 12
Jarrod Crooks – Omnisuit – All Stars – Team 41
Nick Michael – an Element of Pugilism – Team 52
Cody Rowan – The Abductors – Team 58
Best Credits
Holli Buhr, Alex Rumsey and Tristan Crawford – The Dogfather – Team 2
Zach A. Crotty – Beyond The Grave – Team 3
Brady Bruce – Goodnight My Demons – Team 12
Laura LaBree – Stakes/Steaks – Team 27
Sonya Boushek – Silent Journey – Team 38
Nick Michael – an Element of Pugilism – Team 52
Best Original Music
Nate Weiner– Yesterdays & Tomorrows – Team 7
Gael Palen – Ourselves – Team 16
Michael Reader – Pass The Rock – Team 19
K.O. LUV – Worry Mind – Team 23
Bella Larson and the Scene Kids – Going Down the Street – Team 32
Elliott Graber – A Night of Charade – Team 46
Best Audio/Sound Design
Kari Layland – Better Watch Out – Team 6
Allard LaRue – Goodnight My Demons – Team 12
Raymond Bell Jr – Stakes/Steaks – Team 27
Alton Bennett II – Stuntees – Team 39
Jarrod Crooks – Omnisuit – All Stars – Team 41
Lily Crane – Timepiece – Team 49
Arthur Hey – The Abductors – Team 58
Best Script
Gael Palen – OURSELVES – Team 16
Chris Wells – The Liars Suit – Team 22
Daniel Dockery – Nahemoth – Team 24
Phil Holt – Family Album – Team 43
Erin Pecha – All You Had to Do – Team 50
Best Production Design
Keri Sauter and Zach Jansen – The Ravaging – Team 5
Stephen Hage – Better Watch Out – Team 6
Elijah Blanchette – Goodnight My Demons – Team 12
Tessa Torreano – Pass The Rock – Team 19
Laura LaBree, Erin Pecha, Laura Engelmann, and Jules Pivec – Stakes/Steaks – Team 27
Sonya Boushek – Silent Journey – Team 38
Best Orchestral Score
Philip Shorey – The Dogfather – Team 2
Jeff Goldsmith – Better Watch Out – Team 6
Lukas Medin – Goodnight My Demons – Team 12
Nick Montopoli – Stakes/Steaks – Team 27
Jeff Goldsmith – Dana in the Nightmare: Latent – Team 31
Best WTF Moment
Better Watch Out – Team 6
Bigfoot: The Adventures of Jurgen and Carl – Team 11
Goodnight My Demons – Team 12
Stuntees – Team 39
Omnisuit – All Stars – Team 41
A Night of Charade – Team 46
All You Had to Do – Team 50
Best Fight Scene
Kari Layland – The Ravaging – Team 5
Lee Fillingsness and Kari Layland – Better Watch Out – Team 6
The Fight Monkeys – Tango de Muerte – Team 10
Talyn Teasley, Christa Rose, Kam Jones, Callan Korpi, Theresa Alvarado, Holli Buhr, Doug Mattis, and Lee Fillingsness – Stuntees – Team 39
Jarrod Crooks – Omnisuit – All Stars – Team 41
Sona “Slink Proper” Akale – an Element of Pugilism – Team 52
David Alvarado – The Abductors – Team 58
Best Costume
Alex Rumsey – The Dogfather – Team 2
Kari Layland and Anthony Hunke – The Ravaging – Team 5
Kari Layland – Better Watch Out – Team 6
Michael Quinn – Bigfoot: The Adventures of Jurgen and Carl – Team 11
Ellen Conniff – Stakes/Steaks – Team 27
Erin Crooks – Omnisuit – All Stars – Team 41
Thomas Boguszewski – A Night of Charade – Team 46
Best Makeup
Elly Kalnbach – Beyond The Grave – Team 3
Ben Gersch and Ashlyn Aanerud – The Ravaging – Team 5
Angela Rabbitt and Melissa Durose – Better Watch Out – Team 6
Summer Rose – Stakes/Steaks – Team 27
Hali Hanson, Alex Arredondo, & Gael Palen – Dana in the Nightmare: Latent – Team 31
Matt Goettsch – The Abductors – Team 58
Best Kiss
The Ravaging – Team 5
Yesterdays & Tomorrows – Team 7
Nahemoth – Team 24
Silent Journey – Team 38
The Guest – Team 45
Best Prop
The Dogfather – Team 2
The Ravaging – Team 5
Better Watch Out – Team 6
Yesterdays & Tomorrows – Team 7
2 Minutes – Team 20
All You Had to Do – Team 50
Student Film
Presley Grams – Stall Tactics – Team 18
Samantha Hinkemeyer – Devil On My Shoulder – Team 21
Liam Spillane – Blood Drive – Team 37
Lily Crane – Timepiece – Team 49
Arianna Buhr and Jasmin Silva – Bad Interview – Team 55
Ivy Rae – Shadow Puppets – Team 56
Tyler Kaess – Clones! – Team 57
Strong Female Filmmaker Award Nominees
Kari Layland – Better Watch Out – Team 6
Karen Voels – Yesterdays & Tomorrows – Team 7
Sonya Boushek and Tenley Boushek – Silent Journey – Team 38
Christa Rose – Stuntees – Team 39
Arianna Buhr and Jasmin Silva – Bad Interview – Team 55
Best Comedy
GMG – The Dogfather – Team 2
Feisty Elves – Better Watch Out – Team 6
Red Dog Productions – Bigfoot: Adventure of Carl & Jurgen – Team 11
JLynn Productions – Pass The Rock – Team 19
JC Films – Omnisuit – All Stars – Team 41
Best Drama
Cutting Teeth Productions – Yesterdays & Tomorrows – Team 7
10’s Film Production – Silent Journey – Team 38
Big Red – All You Had to Do – Team 50
Doing Good Media – Pursued – Team 51
Best Fantasy/Adventure/Scifi
Imagitainment Productions – Duke of the Wild – Team 4
Colorful Cryptids – 2 Minutes – Team 20
NLTD Collab – The Abductors – Team 58
Best Action/Suspense/Horror
Grim Grinning Ghosts – Beyond the Grave – Team 3
Echoes of the Ravaged – The Ravaging – Team 5
Odyssey North Films – Goodnight My Demons – Team 12
Rose Media – Stuntees – Team 39
Best Music Video
To Be Announced at Best of Fest Award Show
Best Documentary
To Be Announced at Best of Fest Award Show
Best Speciality Film
Garza Pictures – Ourselves – Team 16
Oxford Comma Film Cooperative – Stakes/Steaks – Team 27
The Mystic Minds – “Today’s Special: Love” by The Mystic Minds – Team 42
Poetry in Motion Productions – The Guest – Team 45
Best Movie Poster Contest
GMG – The Dogfather – Team 2
Echoes of the Ravaged – The Ravaging – Team 5
Kale Whinn Productions – Tango de Muerte – Team 10
Odyssey North Films – Goodnight My Demons – Team 12
Jane of Art – Stall Tactics – Team 18
Colliding Pictures – Dana in the Nightmare: Latent – Team 31
The following top 15 and 1 All Star Film will be screened at the Best of Fest Theater Presentation on Saturday, May 10th at the St. Michael Cinema 15
Top Films
GMG – The Dogfather – Team 2
Grim Grinning Ghosts – Beyond the Grave – Team 3
Echoes of the Ravaged – The Ravaging – Team 5
Feisty Elves – Better Watch Out – Team 6
Cutting Teeth Productions – Yesterdays & Tomorrows – Team 7
Red Dog Productions – Bigfoot: Adventure of Jurgen & Carl – Team 11
Odyssey North Films – Goodnight My Demons – Team 12
JLynn Productions – Pass The Rock – Team 19
Oxford Comma Film Cooperative – Stakes/Steaks – Team 27
Colliding Pictures – Dana in the Nightmare: Latent – Team 31
Rose Media – Stuntees – Team 39
JC Films – Omnisuit – Team 41
Graber Productions – Driver Confessional – Team 47
Big Red – All You Had to Do – Team 50
Doing Good Media – Pursued – Team 51
NLTD Collab – The Abductors – Team 58
First Time Filmmaker Award
To Be Announced at Best of Fest Award Show
The Louie Anderson Award
To Be Announced at Best of Fest Award Show
Audience Favorite Awards
To Be Announced at Best of Fest Award Show
Trailer Contest Winners
To Be Announced at Best of Fest Award Show
BENT Brewstillery Shout Out
To Be Announced at Best of Fest Award Show
Congratulations to all!
We look forward to the Best of Fest Screening on Saturday May 10th at 7:00pm at the St. Michael Cinema 15.
We look forward to everyone gathering on Friday May 16th at 7:00pm at the Radisson Blu for the Best of Fest Awards ceremony. We as a Minnesota filmmakers collective, will celebrate the creation of some amazing, high caliber, works of art.
Adam, Jeron, John and Margie
