Foyle Film Festival Reveals 2025 Light in Motion Competition Award Winners at Nerve Centre CeremonyFoyle Film Festival Reveals 2025 Light in Motion Competition Award Winners at Nerve Centre Ceremony

Recognised internationally by Oscar® BAFTA, and BIFA accrediting bodies, Foyle Film Festival remains a significant platform for emerging and established filmmaking talent. The Light in Motion awards span three Academy Award-qualifying categories — Irish Short Film, International Short Film, and Short Animation — alongside two BAFTA-qualifying awards for British Short Film and British Short Animation. Sponsored by City of Derry Crystal, the competition highlights exceptional work from filmmakers and animators around the world.

This year’s winners are as follows:

Best Animated Short Film

Retirement Plan, directed by John Kelly
At apathy with his life, Ray (Domhnall Gleeson) dreams of the beauty and joy he will find in retirement. The jury commended the film for its deft storytelling, humour, and universal themes that resonate on a deeply personal level.

Special Mention: WildKind directed by John McDaid
A debut animated short by Derry’s own John McDaid, recognised for its beautiful animation and heartfelt narrative.

Best International Short Film

Taji, directed by Mahdi Borjian
A gold bracelet has been stolen at the factory. Taji, the head worker, and her husband Morteza both work there. While searching for the thief, Taji realises that Morteza is the one who stole the bracelet to pay off his gambling debt. Now, Taji faces a dilemma: should she take revenge for all the abuse and mistreatment she has suffered from Morteza by exposing him, or should she forgive him?
The jury praised Taji as a riveting, darkly funny film that builds tension with remarkable precision, culminating in a richly satisfying conclusion.

Special Mention: COYOTES, directed by Said Zagha

Best British Animation

Death’s Peak, directed by Willy Fair
Desperate for connection, David digs up his brother's corpse. With their trusty red wagon, they ascend a treacherous mountain in pursuit of their childhood dream.

The film was celebrated by the jury for its bittersweet, darkly humorous storytelling, beautiful animation, and its touching, emotionally resonant execution.

Best British Short Film

Cuerpos, directed by Reiff Gaskell
In 1941, Ana, a young maid, joins the household of a powerful Contessa in rural Spain. What initially seems like a lifeboat from the political terror of the outside world quickly turns into another fight for survival as fear seeps in. Ana must navigate household politics as it collapses around her.

Thunderously powerful melodrama about class that asks the difficult question of “Do we really know the true nature of the people we work with?” The troublesome thoughts that keep us awake at night. Heavy but massively affecting.

Best Irish Short Film

The Death Notice of Eamonn McCarty directed by Aaron Chalke
With just one day left to live, a man (Michael McElhatton) scrambles to fulfil his life’s ambitions while stuck on the phone to customer care.

The winning film was praised by the jury for its wonderful performances and a poignancy of story that was deeply felt, a film directed with delicacy and confidence and was an excellent example of powerful storytelling using short form to its best. Spooked the jury with its very plausible and futuristic sense of isolation — an equally moving exploration on what it means to live and die with care.

Special mention: Tíolacadh directed by Sadhbh Larkin Coyle

Eavan King, Head of Film Programmes at Nerve Centre and Competition Manager, said: "Foyle Film Festival through the Light in Motion competition provides a direct pathway to Oscar® and BAFTA recognition for talent from this island and beyond. This year, we've celebrated the very best in live-action and animated short films, bringing together a remarkable array of talent. Congratulations to all our competitors and winners."

Foyle Film Festival extends its thanks to the festival juries; funders (Northern Ireland Screen, Department for Communities, Derry City and Strabane District Council, Paul Hamlyn Foundation, Screen Ireland, Ulster University, and Film Hub NI); and to the competition sponsor, City of Derry Crystal, whose support makes this annual celebration of filmmaking excellence possible.

Find out more about Light in Motion awards.