Screamfest® Horror Film Festival, the largest and longest-running horror film festival in the United States, is excited to announce its 2025 award winners. The festival took place from October 7 to 16, 2025, at the TCL Chinese Theater in Hollywood.
Screamfest concluded this week with the premiere screening of Hulu’s The Hand that Rocks The Cradle, a suspenseful and seductive reimagining of the psychological thriller directed by Michelle Garza Cervera. The film stars Maika Monroe, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Raul Castillo, Martin Starr, and Mileiah Vega.
Awards were presented tonight, with the Mexican feature film Don’t Leave the Kids Alone directed by Emilio Portes emerging as a major winner. This claustrophobic psychological horror, centered on two fiercely competitive siblings left alone in their new home, captivated audiences and judges alike. The film took home top honors, winning Best Picture and Best Director, solidifying its status as a standout of the evening. In addition, Best Cinematography was awarded to Martin Boerge, while Aldo Max Rodríguez earned Best Musical Score for his haunting and evocative composition.
Best Actress was awarded to Mani Shanks for Shed, while Best Actor went to Rodrigo Noya for The Dollmaker. Best Editing was awarded to J. Mihaljevich for the tense thriller Shed.
Deathgasm 2: Goremageddon took home two awards: Best Special Effects (Amazing Ape Productions & Action Pants FX) and Best Makeup (Patrick Baxter & Jason Dethridge).
The Short Film Audience Award went to Very Prosperous Men, directed by Josiah Walker. The Juried Award for Best Short Film was presented to The Last Snow, directed by Rodolphe Bouquet-Populus.
Additional honors included:
- Best Animated Short Film: Franken Struck, directed by Sommar Boulware
- Best Student Short: Terroir, directed by Casey Rogerson
- Best Screenplay (Screamfest Horror Film Festival Screenplay Competition): High Rise by Anthony Di Pietro
Overall, this year’s Screamfest was a resounding success, celebrating bold voices in genre filmmaking and delivering a week full of excitement, discovery, and unforgettable moments.
Please see the full list of award recipients below.
Screamfest 2025 Winners
Best Picture: Don’t Leave The Kids Alone
Best Director: Don’t Leave The Kids Alone – Emilio Portes
Best Cinematography: Don’t Leave The Kids Alone – Martin Boerge
Best Musical Score: Don’t Leave The Kids Alone – ldo Max Rodríguez
Best Editing: Shed – J. Mihaljevich
Best Special Effects: Deathgasm 2: Goremageddon – Amazing Ape Productions & Action Pants FX
Best Makeup: Deathgasm 2: Goremageddon – Patrick Baxter & Jason Dethridge.
Best Actress: Mani Shanks for Shed
Best Actor: Rodrigo Noya for The Dollmaker
Short Film Audience Award: Very Prosperous Men – Josiah Walker
Best Short Film: The Last Snow – Rodolphe Bouquet-Populus
Best Animated Short Film: Franken Struck – Sommar Boulware
Best Student Short: Terroir – Casey Rogerson
Best Screenplay (Screamfest Horror Film Festival Screenplay Competition): High Rise – Anthony Di Pietro
