2025 Recap
A Celebration of Original Voices and Independent Cinema
September 24, 2025, marked the very first Orem Film Festival. We are deeply grateful to the 610 guests who attended our debut celebration of independent cinema and original art. It was an honor to watch these ten films on the big screen at the Geneva Megaplex. Read below for highlights from the event and this year’s award-winning filmmakers.
The Inaugural Orem Film Festival
After opening remarks from OFF Founder Trevor Allen, filmmakers were welcomed to a VIP dinner provided by community supporter Vessel Kitchen, followed by a talk from Munn Powell, cinematographer of Napoleon Dynamite. Powell spoke about his experience working on the film and the importance of local festivals that champion UNIQUE and ORIGINAL films that might not receive mainstream attention.
Our goal with the festival was to create a community space for Utah filmmakers and movie lovers to gather and connect over their shared love of authentic storytelling and creative voices. In an era of remakes, formulaic blockbusters, and AI-generated content, audiences are craving genuine art and emotionally resonant work. We’re deeply grateful to everyone who attended to support original artists and local voices.
To keep the festival accessible, tickets were only $5, and every guest received a free Swig drink coupon, generously donated by Swig. Whether you’re an industry professional or a curious student, we believe everyone should have access to great films and the magic of the theater experience.
We also want to thank our sponsors, whose support was crucial in creating such an immersive event: Megaplex, Swig, Vessel Kitchen, Utah Film Studios, Classic Fun Center, and Utah Film Center.
2025 Award Winners
Rat Rod – Jury Prize
The highest honor of the festival went to Rat Rod, directed by Carly and Jared Jakins. Their film is an intimate and haunting documentary following mechanic Jorge Ramirez, who joined us for the live Q&A with director Jared Jakins. The film was selected for its originality, technical execution, narrative strength, emotional depth, and artistic vision.
Them That’s Not – Audience Award
Mekhai Lee’s moving short film Them That’s Not closed the night and won the Audience Award. The story follows a Deaf girl grappling with the loss of a family member and rising family tensions. Gorgeously made and emotionally raw, this film resonated deeply with festivalgoers, earning the most votes of the night.
Braids – Emerging Filmmaker Award
Directed by Elise Beers, Braids tells the powerful story of a young Native American boy navigating school picture day and the cultural prejudices he faces. Both audiences and jurors were deeply moved by this beautifully crafted film. During our Q&A, we had the honor of speaking with director Elise Beers, producer Bryson Alejandro, and lead actor Julius Sweet Tsosie.
Jury Members
Special thank you to our panel of industry professionals and cinephiles who thoughtfully evaluated and voted on the selected films. Their decisions were based on originality, technical execution, narrative strength, emotional impact, and artistic vision.
Carli Mahas - Production Coordinator at Utah Film Commission
Derek Mellus - Production Manager at Utah Film Commission
Connor England - Festival Director at Dark Cinema Film Festival
Andrea Baltazar - Director of Film Studies at Weber State University
Ryan Ali - Actor/Filmmaker
Trevor Allen - OFF Founder & Festival Director
Film Highlights
The Bug Hotel – Directed by Mya Iannuzzi
A delightfully original and handmade stop-motion world filled with colorful insect characters. With zero budget and boundless creativity, Mya brought this story to life using puppets and found materials. During her Q&A, she shared her process of designing characters and animating each frame, a testament to the beauty of DIY filmmaking.
Till Death Do Us Part – Directed by Jacob Hamblin
A chilling, stylized horror short filmed in striking black and white. Hamblin shared how real-life stories inspired this eerie tale of an undertaker’s apprentice. Bold and atmospheric, the film impressed audiences with its ambitious storytelling and craftsmanship.
Reflections – Directed by Claire Timothy
This beautiful documentary follows Allison, a stained-glass artist in Salt Lake City, as she reflects on her work, spirituality, and the human need to connect through art. During the Q&A, both Claire and Allison discussed the personal meaning behind the film and the meditative process of working with glass.
squanchy papi . – Directed by Brinton Douglas
A warm and personal 16mm documentary about Nick, a leader in Salt Lake City’s fixed-gear biking community. The film captures the joy and camaraderie of local cycling culture and the people who build it. Director Brinton Douglas and Nick joined us for a lively Q&A about community, friendship, and filmmaking.
→ Read more about the film in The Daily Utah Chronicle.
The Ghost in the Road – Directed by Andy Matthews & Aaron Tharp
A spine-tingling homage to classic horror, this short delivers nostalgia and genuine scares. In their Q&A, Andy and Aaron shared that the film was inspired by their love of vintage horror and the desire to recapture that “Halloween-night” feeling. The result is a thrilling and stylish ride that audiences loved.
Double or Nothing – Directed by Tokay
Created by Swiss-Turkish filmmaker Tokay, this energetic stop-motion short, set in 1980s Tokyo, follows a high-stakes gambler whose worst enemy is his own greed. Crafted with meticulous artistry and dazzling animation, the film was a festival favorite and a reminder that, as Tokay declares, “Stop motion is not dead.”
Crane – Directed by Aiden Keltner
Our opening film, Crane, set a thoughtful tone for the evening with its heartfelt depiction of a family facing mental health challenges. A tender and beautifully told story, it was the perfect way to begin our inaugural festival.
→ Read a great overview of the 10 selected films over at SLUG Magazine.
→ Read more about what it was like at the festival in the Daily Herald.
Community and Thanks
Q&As throughout the night were moderated by Trevor Allen (Festival Director), Macy Dial (Programmer), and Tanner Rahlf (Comedian).
A heartfelt thank-you to our incredible volunteers, whose dedication brought this celebration of film to life. We couldn’t have done it without you.
We’re already looking forward to next year’s festival! If you’d like to get involved as a supporter or volunteer, please contact Festival Director Trevor Allen at trevor@oremfilmfestival.com.
