Los Angeles, April 21, 2025 — The complete jury for the upcoming 2025 SmallRig Awards has been chosen, featuring a panel of filmmaking experts led by Oscar-winning director Ruby Yang, known for her film “The Blood of Yingzhon District.” Joining Yang are Berlin-based documentarian Uli Gaulke, Chinese independent filmmaker and photographer Gu Tao, and veteran Chinese producer and director You Xiaogang.
Yang emphasized the jury’s goal of finding films that can bridge human connections and stimulate social change through impactful storytelling. She noted the importance of cinema in raising awareness and inspiring action on global issues.
In December 2024, the SmallRig Awards introduced a Global Filmmaker Talk series. A preview screening of “Grand Tour” by Miguel Gomes was part of this series, held in collaboration with Los Angeles-based Acropolis Cinema. An insightful discussion between Gomes and Acropolis founder Jordan Cronk followed, highlighting Gomes’ approach to nonfiction storytelling.
SmallRig founder Zhou Yang shared his vision for the awards, explaining that their focus is to support filmmakers who utilize visual storytelling to spotlight and address global problems in constructive, rather than critical ways. Launched by the camera accessory company SmallRig in 2024, these awards aim to identify and promote films that address social issues worldwide.
The initiative offers substantial financial incentives, with 22 awards in various categories and cash prizes ranging from $800 to $12,000. Winners might also secure funding from SmallRig for future projects. The jury has reviewed all entries, and further details about nominations and announcements will be forthcoming.
For more updates about the awards, including nomination processes and other details, interested parties can visit the official SmallRig Awards website.
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