The TRILLVISION Film Festival closed its Summer 2025 edition with a vibrant celebration of creativity, honoring filmmakers whose work captivated audiences and jurors alike. The hybrid festival, which brought together in-person and virtual attendees, showcased an eclectic mix of narratives, documentaries, experimental works, music videos, and conversations that reflected the bold spirit of independent cinema.

“As the festival came to a close, we were thrilled to honor the outstanding films and filmmakers who made this year’s edition truly remarkable,” said the Festival Director (Velo Stewart). “Each of these works represents the powerful storytelling and cultural resonance TRILLVISION was built to elevate.”

The festival experience was bookended by celebrations hosted by DJ Q-Nice, who brought energy and spirit to both the Opening Ceremony and the Closing Ceremony—where audience awards were presented and filmmakers were celebrated for their creativity and impact.

Jury Awards

  • The Trill Award – Pizza Killa (Sizzle Reel), Directed by Chavoita LeSane

  • Best Narrative Short – Love Is Blind, Directed by Parneille Walker

  • Best Documentary Film – The Ebony Canal: The Story of Black Infant Health, Directed by Emmai Alaquiva

  • Best Music Video – Got It Bad, Directed by Robin Harris Jr.

  • Best Experimental Film – PATIENCE, Directed by Valentin Guiod

  • The Spirit Award – The Distance Between, Directed by Minda Harts

  • Student Spirit Award – A Baleful Reunion, Directed by Ishaan Teja

Audience Awards

  • Outstanding Narrative Film – Intervention, Directed by Vernon Heard

  • Outstanding Documentary Film – The Ebony Canal: The Story of Black Infant Health, Directed by Emmai Alaquiva

  • Outstanding Experimental Film – PATIENCE, Directed by Valentin Guiod

  • Outstanding Music Video – Got It Bad, Directed by Robin Harris Jr.

  • Best of the Festival – Love Is Blind, Directed by Parneille Walker

Spotlight on Panels

Beyond screenings, TRILLVISION 2025 sparked vital conversations through its engaging panel discussions.

One highlight was the Film & Music Panel, where industry experts broke down the journey of how a song ends up in your favorite show or film. Panelists explored how directors select tracks that define pivotal moments, how composers are chosen to score stories, and the emotional weight music carries on screen. Featured speakers includedJabari Ali (Music Supervisor), Dedan Gills (Solar Panel Music), Jibril Haynes (Filmmaker) and Maronda “Lyric” T’pring (Music Coordinator), who shared insider perspectives on bridging music and storytelling.

Equally dynamic was the Hip Hop & Cinema Panel, which examined the intersection of Hip Hop culture and filmmaking. This conversation dove deep into what it takes to create authentic Hip Hop films that resonate with both fans and critics—discussing the cultural nuances, narrative elements, and pitfalls of clichés. Moderated by Carmen Melinda, the panel featured Nicki Mayo (Journalist), Talisha Dunn-Square (Professor), and Timothy Conley (Filmmaker/Professor), who emphasized the importance of storytelling rooted in truth and cultural context.

The festival’s closing night underscored TRILLVISION’s mission to amplify diverse voices and innovative perspectives in film. From moving documentaries spotlighting urgent social issues to visually daring experimental works, groundbreaking narratives, and thought-provoking panels, this year’s edition reflected a commitment to artistic excellence and cultural impact.

For more information about the TRILLVISION Film Festival and its award-winning films, visit www.trillvision.com.

Photos in this post were shot by Tatiana Davidov, Greg Lovell and Velo