#United States #Los Angeles #Awards 2025 #SmallRig #Ruby Yang

SmallRig Awards Announces Final Jury Panel

The anticipation for the 2025 SmallRig Awards is reaching new heights as the final jury panel has been officially unveiled. This prestigious panel will be tasked with selecting winners from an impressive pool of over 3,800 entries submitted from around the globe. The jury is led by none other than Ruby Yang, an Academy Award-winning filmmaker renowned for her exceptional work in the industry, including her acclaimed documentary, The Blood of Yingzhon District.

Joining Ruby on the panel are notable figures in the film industry, including Uli Gaulke, a Berlin-based filmmaker celebrated for his documentary storytelling. They are further complemented by Gu Tao, an award-winning Chinese independent filmmaker who brings a unique perspective rooted in his Manchu heritage. You Xiaogang, a veteran producer and director with a strong track record, rounds out this formidable jury team.

Ruby Yang made a notable statement regarding the jury's mission, emphasizing the transformative power of cinema. “Cinema is powerful! Motion pictures have the ability to cultivate empathy and create connections on a profoundly human level. Our jury panel is in search of compelling stories that not only highlight critical issues but also inspire meaningful change.”

The SmallRig Awards were created to recognize and reward filmmakers who are dedicated to addressing global social issues through their work. Zhou Yang, the founder of SmallRig, reinforced this vision, stating, “We believe that images are incredibly powerful. They illuminate people, actions, and significant moments.”

The spotlight isn’t solely on critical or activist narratives, as Zhou explained the goal is to support constructive storytelling that aims to invoke positive change. He highlighted that while the focus is on motivation and constructive dialogue, they are also looking for films that momentarily call attention to pressing global challenges.

In December 2024, the SmallRig Awards launched its Global Filmmaker Talk series, which featured a preview screening of Miguel Gomes' film Grand Tour. This exciting event, co-presented by the Los Angeles screening series Acropolis Cinema, included a vibrant conversation between director Miguel Gomes and Acropolis founder Jordan Cronk. They explored the innovative nonfiction techniques and storytelling methods that Gomes utilized in his work.

The awards, which were initiated in 2024 by SmallRig, are particularly designed to discover impactful films that tackle significant global social issues. Participants will compete for a total of 22 awards, with cash prizes ranging from $800 to $12,000 available for the winning entries. In addition to prize money, winners will have the opportunity to receive financial backing from SmallRig for their future projects.

As the jury begins reviewing the submitted entries, all participants are looking forward to the announcement of nominations and further updates on the awards. With the caliber of stories being submitted this year, the SmallRig Awards aims to set a new benchmark for socially conscious filmmaking. For more information regarding nominations, award announcements, and further details on this exciting project, visit SmallRig's official activity page.