Honors given at Polson film festival
Filmmakers attending the Flathead Lake International Cinemafest inlcued, from left, Dan Burns, Robert Lester, Ajijul Hasan Surzo, Robin Wang, Gabriel Sarnoff, Steve Kniss, Dan Finegold, and Maria Salinger. Kneeling in front are the festival’s producers David and Jessica King. (Photo courtesy Jayden Almon)
Thirteen awards were given out during the 2025 Flathead Lake International Cinemafest in Polson earlier this month.
This year’s film entries — including narrative shorts and features, documentaries and animated films — hailed from 17 countries, and included 21 Montana-made entries.
About two dozen filmmakers traveled from across the U.S. to attend this year’s festival.
Following a full slate of screenings, awards were presented in numerous categories.
The FLIC 2025 award recipients:
1. Impact Award – James Bauer, General Manager, Showboat Stadium 6 theatre.
2. Best Animation – Yellowstone 88 – Song of Fire
3. Best Montana Film – Bring Them Home
4. Best Original Score – Blessing Agu and Udemadu Kasiemobi – Water Girl
5. Best Cinematography – Akash Raje - Anuja
6. Best Actress – MoriyahFaith Jackson – Water Girl
7. Best Actor – Chris Pang – Neither Donkey Nor Horse
8. Best Documentary Short – Journey of Transformation
9. Best Documentary Feature – Capturing Kennedy
10. Best Director – Paul Schwartz – Stop Time
11. Best Picture - Short - Neither Donkey Nor Horse
12. Best Picture - Feature - Water Girl
13. Audience Award – Columbia River Canoe Project