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Winners Announced for the 2025 Girls On Film Awards

London, Sunday 26 January 2025 – The 2025 Girls On Film Awards have unveiled this year’s winners at a glittering ceremony held at Curzon Bloomsbury, celebrating exceptional achievements by women and people of marginalised genders in film. Hosted by Girls On Film co-founders Anna Smith and Hedda Lornie Archbold, the awards reward women-led filmmaking, with a particular focus on diversity, inclusion and representation. The Substance claimed Best Feature, with Coralie Fargeat in attendance to collect her award, while Black Box Diaries triumphed in Best Documentary and Activist Impact Award.

Co-founders of the Girls On Film podcast Anna Smith and Hedda Lornie Archbold said:

“In today’s challenging world, it is more important than ever for diverse women to support each other. This year’s nominations reflect the spirit of sisterhood and the power of film to inspire, inform, and create community. These awards honour the strength of storytelling in fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion.”

They added:

“We are proud that our nominees and winners showcase progress on screen and thrilled to celebrate with them at our fourth awards. As a member of our community said: ‘Girls On Film is more than a podcast: it’s a state of mind.’”

The ceremony was supported by Gold Sponsors CrewHQ and IMDb, Silver Sponsor Curzon, and Bronze Sponsors Netflix and Intimacy on Set, with media partnerships from Deadline, British Cinematographer magazine, DDA and sponsorship of the reception, Lilac Grove Entertainment. For those unable to attend, the full awards ceremony will soon be available as a special episode of the Girls On Film podcast sponsored by Elstree Studios.

Full List of Winners and Nominees:

BEST FEATURE FILM

The Substance
All We Imagine as Light
Blink Twice
Emilia Pérez
La Chimera

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE

Black Box Diaries
Copa 71
Dahomey
Four Daughters
Witches

BEST PERFORMANCE IN A LEADING ROLE

Marianne Jean-Baptiste (Hard Truths)
Cynthia Erivo (Wicked)
Demi Moore (The Substance)
Karla Sofía Gascón (Emilia Pérez)
Mikey Madison (Anora)
Naomi Ackie (Blink Twice)

BEST PERFORMANCE IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

Danielle Deadwyler (The Piano Lesson)
Ariana Grande (Wicked)
Emily Watson (Small Things Like These)
Lesley Manville (Queer)
Michele Austin (Hard Truths)
Zoe Saldaña (Emilia Pérez)

FEMALE FRIENDSHIP ON SCREEN

All We Imagine as Light
Chuck Chuck Baby
The Last Showgirl
My Old Ass
Wicked

ENSEMBLE CAST

Emilia Pérez
All We Imagine as Light
Girls Will Be Girls
Hoard
Wicked Little Letters

THE GIRLS ON FILM ALLY AWARD SPONSORED BY IMDb

Mike Leigh (Hard Truths)
Jacques Audiard (Emilia Pérez)
Jon M. Chu (Wicked)
Pedro Almodóvar (The Room Next Door)
Sean Baker (Anora)

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY SPONSORED BY CREWHQ

Hélène Louvart AFC (La Chimera)
Alice Brooks ASC (Wicked)
Maria von Hausswolff DFF (Janet Planet)
Polly Morgan ASC BSC (Back to Black)
Tasha Back (In Camera)

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN

Judy Becker (The Brutalist)
Emmanuelle Duplay (Emilia Pérez)
Gemma Jackson (Lee)
Jagna Dobesz (The Girl with the Needle)
Suzie Davies (Conclave/Hard Truths)

BEST COSTUME DESIGN

Linda Muir (Nosferatu)
Emmanuelle Youchnovski (The Substance)
Jacqueline Durran (Blitz)
Jocelyn Pierce (Anora)
Rebecca Gore (Timestalker)

BEST COMPOSER

Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear (Moana 2)
Andrea Datzman (Inside Out 2)
Hildur Guðnadóttir (Joker: Folie à Deux)
Isobel Waller-Bridge (Wicked Little Letters)
Lucrecia Dalt (On Becoming a Guinea Fowl)

BEST PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN

Universal (Wicked)
Emilia Pérez – Netflix
Inside Out 2 – Disney
The Substance – MUBI
Timestalker – Vertigo

ACTIVIST IMPACT AWARD

Shiori Ito (Black Box Diaries)
LFF Critics Support Fund
MilkTea
TAPE Collective
Jeanie Finlay (Your Fat Friend)

FEMALE ORGASM ON SCREEN SPONSORED BY INTIMACY ON SET

Nicole Kidman (with Nicole Kidman, and later Harris Dickinson) (Babygirl)
Anne Hathaway (with Nicholas Galitzine) – The Idea of You
Kristen Stewart and Katy O’Brian – Love Lies Bleeding
Geraldine Viswanathan (with Margaret Qualley) – Drive-Away Dolls
Preeti Panigrahi (with Preeti Panigrahi and Kesav Binoy Kiron) – Girls Will Be Girls

For press inquiries, please contact:

DDA

Abbie Gainher – Abbie.Gainher@ddaglobal.com

Natasha Masich – Natasha.Masich@ddaglobal.com

HLA

Charlotte Matheson – charlottematheson@hlaagency.co.uk

Notes for Editors:

ABOUT THE GIRLS ON FILM AWARDS

The Girls On Film Awards reward excellence in women-led filmmaking with a particular focus on inclusion, diversity and the representation of women and people of marginalised genders. Girls On Film particularly want to celebrate the representation of diversity and of complex women characters on screen. Girls On Film applaud and champion all women-led, women-focused films and want to hand out their own awards to the films and individuals that they feel deserve particular plaudits, to encourage audiences to engage. The eligibility period is for films released between 17 February 2024 to 14 February 2025. Nominees are selected by leading film critics and the winners are selected by Girls On Film. Girls On Film would like to thank Gold Sponsors CrewHQ and IMDb, Silver Sponsor Curzon and Bronze Sponsors Netflix and Intimacy on Set. Media partners this year will be Deadline, British Cinematographer magazine, DDA and the sponsors of the reception will be Lilac Grove Entertainment. For those unable to attend, the full awards ceremony will soon be available as a special episode of the Girls On Film podcast sponsored by Elstree Studios. Girls On Film would also like to thank principal partners Vanessa Smith and Peter Brewer for their continued support.

ABOUT GIRLS ON FILM

A fun, feminist film podcast, Girls On Film was launched six years ago to answer an urgent need to amplify women’s voices in film and has developed into a vibrant community. Co-founded by host Anna Smith and Exec Producer Hedda Lornie Archbold, it brings film critics together with actors, filmmakers and activists to give a fresh perspective on gender in the movies. The podcast has produced over 180 episodes and has been featured in Deadline, Time Out and The Guardian, and on Radio 4, Sky News, and BBC Breakfast. Named Best Feminist Film podcast by Stylist Magazine, and endorsed by Barbara Broccoli, it was picked out as one of the top four film podcasts in the world by iNews. It has won multiple nominations at the British Podcast Awards, the International Women’s Podcast Awards and the Independent Podcast Awards. Anna Smith is a leading film critic, broadcaster and former President of The Critics’ Circle. Hedda Lornie Archbold is an Exec Producer, Agent and the CEO of HLA Agency, which produces Girls On Film among other things.

Follow Girls On Film at

https://www.facebook.com/girlsonfilmpodcast

https://twitter.com/GirlsOnFilm_Pod

https://www.instagram.com/girlsonfilm_podcast

ABOUT OUR SPONSORS

About CrewHQ

In November 2023, Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden (WBSL) opened the doors to CrewHQ, a dedicated on-site training centre. CrewHQ is designed to support existing crew, create career routes for people of all backgrounds and foster the next generation of Film and TV production talent.

About IMDb

IMDb is the world’s most popular and authoritative source for information on movies, TV shows, and celebrities. Hundreds of millions of customers all over the world rely on IMDb to discover and decide what to watch, advance their professional entertainment careers through IMDbPro, and grow their businesses using IMDb data and trending insights. Products and services to help fans discover and decide what to watch and where to watch it include: the IMDb website for desktop and mobile devices; apps for iOS and Android; and X-Ray on Prime Video. For entertainment industry professionals, IMDb provides IMDbPro and Box Office Mojo. IMDb licenses information from its vast and authoritative database to third-party businesses worldwide; learn more at developer.imdb.com. IMDb is an Amazon company. For more information, visit www.imdb.com/press and follow @IMDb.

About Netflix

Netflix is one of the world’s leading entertainment services, with 283 million paid memberships in over 190 countries enjoying TV series, films and games across a wide variety of genres and languages. Members can play, pause and resume watching as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, and can change their plans at any time.

About Intimacy on Set

Intimacy on Set provides services to TV, film, and live performance for the production and creation of scenes with intimacy, sexual content, and nudity. Founded in 2018 by the UK’s leading Intimacy Practitioner, Ita O’Brien, (and author of the Intimacy On Set Guidelines), the company has continued to expand both nationally and internationally and now has fully accredited Intimacy Practitioners all over the world. Intimacy on Set are leaders in the field, whose skills and rigorous training demonstrate best practice. Their goal is for their bespoke guidelines to be adopted by the industry worldwide advocating for safe, fair, and dignified work for everyone.

Intimacy on Set has worked on numerous high-profile productions across Theatre, TV and Film and has been widely covered in the national and international media as the leading spokesperson in this space. Most notable credits include  Normal People (BBC3/Hulu), Sex Education 1 & 2 (Netflix), I May Destroy You (BBC/HBO), and most recently The Agency (101 Studios/Paramount +) and We Live In Time (Studio Canal).

Intimacy on Set is delighted to be sponsors of the Girls On Film Award for Female Orgasm on Screen for the third year. This award is for authentic, realistic and responsible depiction of women’s pleasure on screen.

About Curzon

Curzon is a multifaceted film company covering exhibition, distribution, production, and on-demand streaming. The company currently operates 16 cinemas across the UK. The distribution business, encompassing Curzon Film and specialist label Artificial Eye, has over 40 years of experience in independent film, with a library of critically acclaimed films by some of the world’s greatest directors including Wim Wenders, Michael Haneke, Béla Tarr, Alice Rohrwacher, and Ruben Östlund. Streaming service Curzon Home Cinema is available to customers through TV, mobile apps, and over-the-top platforms, with a reach of 6.5 million homes. For more information please visit www.curzon.com.

Katy Black, Head of Private Hires at Curzon says “Curzon is delighted to be hosting the Girls on Film Awards for the first time at Curzon Bloomsbury this year. We are huge supporters of Girls on Film’s year-round work, so it is a pleasure to collaborate with them on this night of celebration.”

Awards Podcast Sponsor

Elstree Studios

Elstree Film Studios has been a cornerstone of British cinema for a century. Located in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, the studios has been the birthplace of countless iconic films and television series.

With over 90,000 square feet of studio space, a spacious backlot, workshops, ancillary and office spaces, EFS offers a number of facilities which cater to both large-scale productions and independent projects.

As we begin our centennial year, EFS remains committed to nurturing talent and creativity, supporting filmmakers and creating a pathway to inspire the next generation of industry professionals

ABOUT OUR MEDIA PARTNERS

Deadline

Deadline has long established itself as the most trusted and most valued news site within the entertainment industry. With coverage that reaches across film, television, music, politics and business, Deadline is read faithfully by industry decision makers who trust us with their exclusives and breaking news, all of which has made us first and factual in all our reporting. Deadline is regularly cited by top media outlets such as CNN, and Harpers Bazaar UK.

DDA

Deadline is the most trusted breaking news source in the entertainment industry. For all the latest in film and television in the US and Internationally, Deadline is your trusted entertainment news source. Faithfully read by industry decision makers, Deadline delivers box office coverage, casting news, festival and market reporting and all the latest exclusives. https://deadline.com/

British Cinematographer magazine

British Cinematographer magazine is a Europe-leading magazine dedicated to the art and craft of international cinematography. The flagship title, enjoyed by a global readership spanning 56 countries, is endorsed and distributed to leading industry partners including the British Society of Cinematographers. Each issue is packed with news and insight into the world of cinematography, from behind-the-scenes features from top film and TV productions to masterclasses from industry experts, and much more. It’s an essential read for anyone with an interest in filmmaking.

“It’s an honour for British Cinematographer to continue the collaboration with Girls on Film Awards as a media partner. We celebrate phenomenal work shot by female cinematographers in the magazine throughout the year and it is a joy to see the talent and creations of such impressive filmmakers recognised at this very important awards event,” says Zoe Mutter, Editor-in-Chief, British Cinematographer magazine.

ABOUT OUR RECEPTION SPONSOR

Lilac Grove Entertainment

At Lilac Grove, we believe in redefining storytelling for a new generation as an independent entertainment company, bringing fresh, original narratives to life – stories that inspire, engage and push the boundaries of imagination. Our focus is on delivering bold, innovative content that resonates with diverse audiences and introduces new perspectives to the world of fantasy and sci-fi.

@lilacgroveent. https://sgblaise.com/lilac-grove-entertainment/

IN-KIND PARTNERS

Papa Salt Coastal Gin

BBFC

Proper Corn

Canongate

Cano Water

Girls on Tops

——————

Girls On Film is an HLA production 

Executive producer: Hedda Archbold, https://hlaagency.co.uk/ 

Host: Anna Smith https://www.linkedin.com/in/annasmithjourno/

Charlotte Matheson is a producer on the awards with HLA, with Anna Swartz and Oli Fyne.

Principal Partners: Vanessa Smith and Peter Brewer

About HLA

HLA produces audio podcasts, videos, films and live events, and provides bespoke, sole agency to its clients.

For more information visit https://hlaagency.co.uk/

Contact details Executive Producer at HLA Agency Hedda@girlsonfilmpodcast.com +447801074181

Girls On Film

Hosted by film critic and broadcaster Anna Smith, Girls On Film is the world’s leading podcast on women in film. A fun and feminist podcast, it was co-founded by exec producer Hedda Archbold and Anna Smith, it provides a platform for women and people of minority genders to talk about their work in the industry, and about their love of film. 

Girls On Film has grown into more than a podcast: it is a lively community of listeners and film lovers, and there is a loyal and engaged fan base of followers of this most entertaining of pods. 

Voted No. 1 Feminist Film Podcast by Stylist Magazine and nominated for Best Live Podcast at the British Podcast Awards, the shows combines film reviews, panel discussions with women film critics, and interviews with actors, directors, activists and industry professionals. 

Girls On Film is an HLA Agency production, executive produced by Hedda Archbold, along with production team members Charlotte Matheson, Jade Evans and Anna Swartz.

Listen on Spotify, SoundCloud and more – or subscribe here.

Sign up to the Girls On Film newsletter here or email girlsonfilmsocial@gmail.com to be signed up.

Follow us on socials:
www.instagram.com/girlsonfilm_podcast/
www.facebook.com/girlsonfilmpodcast
www.twitter.com/GirlsOnFilm_Pod
www.twitter.com/annasmithjourno

Watch Girls On Film on the BFI’s YouTube channel:
www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLX…L89QKZsN5Tgr3vn7z

Girls On Film | Episode 131 | 16 November 2022

In this episode filmmaker Ondi Timoner joins Anna Smith to talk about her new documentary, Last Flight Home, sharing with Anna how the documentary came to be, her personal journey throughout the making of it, and the impact that the film is having on audiences. They also talk about her journey to becoming a filmmaker, and her experience of being a woman in the industry.


Last Flight Home is a beautifully moving and deeply personal account of her, and her close-knit family’s, experience as it follows them as their extraordinary father chooses to end his own life following a long illness. The film explores Eli Timoner’s life, his past as the co-founder of Air Florida, and his decision to exercise his right to die with dignity.


Ondi Timoner’s Last Flight Home will be in UK cinemas from Friday 25th November 2022.

Ondi Timoner

Girls On Film | Episode 130 | 7 November 2022

What’s your leadership style? Just one of the questions answered by our impressive panellists at the Evolution Mallorca International Film Festival, where festival director Sandra Lipski invited Girls On Film to host a panel discussion on Women and Leadership, with a focus on the creative and business side of the industry.


Four high profile industry women joined Anna Smith on stage at the Fondacio Sa Nostra in Palma on 29 October 2022. In this recording, you can hear our guests talking about how they got started in the industry, the importance of mentorship and diversity, and how to lead well with compassion, heart and humour.


Panellists are Lee Broda, founder and CEO of LB Entertainment and producer of Call Jane, whose film premiered at EMIFF the night before our panel; Teresa Fernández-Valdés, co-founder and co-director of Bambú Producciones, who were the first company in Spain to make shows for the streaming platforms and have grown rapidly over the past 15 years; Uzma Hasan, film producer at Little House Productions, whose feature Creature directed by Asif Kapadia with choreographer Akram Khan is about to be released in the UK; and finally Kirsten Niehuus, who holds the purse strings at Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg as their CEO of Film Funding.


The conversation about women in leadership roles in the film industry takes some surprising turns and is inspiring, wise and funny.

Kirsten Niehuus

Girls On Film | Episode 129 | 1 November 2022

Director Phyllis Nagy and stars Elizabeth Banks and Wunmi Mosaku join Anna to talk about the inspiring new film CALL JANE.


CALL JANE follows Joy, played by Elizabeth Banks, a woman whose life-threatening pregnancy leads her to seek help from the ‘Janes’, an underground collective. In Chicago during the 1960s, a group of extraordinary women came together to secretly provide nearly 12,000 women and girls with safe abortions. Sigourney Weaver features as Virginia, the founding member of the female activist group, along with Wunmi Mosaku as Gwen, and a fantastic wider ensemble cast.


In this episode, Nagy and Banks talk about how they learned of the ‘Janes’, discussing the importance of activism through art, and the pertinence of CALL JANE in the wake of the US Supreme Court overruling the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade case. They also talk about establishing the tone of this comedy-drama that is as entertaining as it is empowering.


Anna also speaks with Wunmi Mosaku about her personal motivation for being a part of the project, and about CALL JANE through a lens of race, both in the reality of the ‘Janes’, but also in the telling of the story today. She also shares her joy about working with the group of women who play the ‘Janes’.


UK listeners can watch CALL JANE in cinemas from 4th November 2022.

Elizabeth Banks
Phyllis Nagy

Girls On Film | Episode 128 | 28 October 2022

Billy Eichner, Luke Macfarlane and Nicholas Stoller join Anna Smith for this episode to talk about BROS, the first romantic comedy from a major film studio about two gay men, produced by Judd Apatow and directed and co-written by Nicholas Stoller.


Billy co-wrote and stars in this funny, refreshing rom-com alongside Luke Macfarlane who plays the macho lawyer Aaron, who Billy’s character Bobby just might fall for. Billy and Nicholas, who co-wrote and directed the film, talk to Anna about their decision to bring LGBTQ+ representation into the mainstream, with central characters who are gay, lesbian, trans and bisexual – both on screen and in real life.


UK listeners can watch BROS in cinemas from Friday 28 October 2022.

Nicholas Stoller
Luke MacFarlane
Billy Eichner

Girls On Film | Episode 127 | 14 October 2022

Jamie Lee Curtis and Anna Smith discuss HALLOWEEN ENDS, the final chapter in the HALLOWEEN horror franchise, directed by David Gordon Green and starring Jamie Lee Curtis, Andi Matichak and Kyle Richards. Anna is also joined by Executive Producer Hedda Archbold to talk about the best films featured at this season’s film festivals.


Anna speaks to Jamie Lee Curtis about her experience playing Laurie Strode and how she perceives feminism in regard to the character. Jamie also highlights how her success as an actress in her 60s defies the idea that older women aren’t getting great parts, and she talks to her aversion to the ‘anti-ageing’ lobby, and abouther commitment to looking real – both on screen and off. Jamie also discusses the way in which her character in HALLOWEEN ENDS manages the trauma she has endured.
Hedda Archbold joins Anna to consider their favourite releases from the recent film festival season and suggest upcoming female-focused films to look out for.


UK listeners can watch HALLOWEEN ENDS in UK cinemas from Friday 14 October 2022.

Jamie Lee Curtis

Girls On Film | Episode 126 | 30 September 2022

In this episode of Girls On Film Anna Smith explores GIRLS GIRLS GIRLS, a Finnish coming-of-age film directed by Alli Haapasalo, starring Aamu Milonoff, Linnea Leino and Eleonoora Kauhanen.


Anna talks to Alli Haapasalo about her fresh perspective on stepping into adulthood and navigating sexual desire alongside discussing her motivations, her casting process and narrative choices. Alli also talks about the role of female characters on screen and why her film is an antidote to the all too common trope of women as victims.


UK listeners can watch GIRLS GIRLS GIRLS in UK cinemas from Friday 30 September 2022

Alli Haapasalo

Girls On Film | Episode 125 | 20 September 2022

In this episode we focus on two female-run film festivals coming up in October: the Evolution Mallorca International Film Festival and the BFI London Film Festival.


Anna Smith speaks to Sandra Lipski, founder and director of EMIFF, and Tricia Tuttle, director of festivals at the BFI and director of the LFF about what is coming up. The festivals share not only a female focus with an emphasis on diversity and inclusion, but unlike some film fests, they are open to audiences, rather than industry only. Girls On Film will be hosting a live event at EMIFF on Women in Leadership so if you fancy a week in Mallorca watching and discussing films, do join us there!


The BFI London Film Festival runs from 5-16th October 2022 – select titles are showing around the UK.

Sandra Lipski
Tricia Tuttle

Girls On Film | Episode 124 | 23 August 2022

In this episode of Girls On Film Anna Smith does a deep dive into MR. MALCOLM’S LIST, a new release starring Zawe Ashton, Freida Pinto and Sope Dirisu, directed by Emma Holly Jones in her feature debut.


Anna talks to Emma Holly Jones about this Regency RomCom with a difference: about what it takes to get a first feature made, about historical accuracy versus depicting diverse female agency on screen and about casting and working with Freida Pinto and Zawe Ashton during lockdown.


Zawe Ashton joins Anna to talk about playing Julia Thistlewaite in MR. MALCOLM’S LIST opposite Freida Pinto as Selina Dalton. Zawe talks about her view of the film’s narrative, the pleasure of working with Freida Pinto and the other women in the film, and on making a movie in which female friendship is as important as the love interest.


UK listeners can watch MR. MALCOLM’S LIST in cinemas from 26 August 2022.

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T: +44 (0)7801074181
E: hedda@HLAagency.co.uk

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