Focus On: Best of Fest

An evening of award-winning short films spotlights standout voices from the international festival circuit, bringing a curated selection of celebrated works to the Deering Estate. Presented by the Miami Short Film Festival (MIAMIsFF) in partnership with the estate, this special screening highlights winning films from the festival’s 24th edition, spanning narrative, documentary, animation and comedy.

The Focus On: Best of Fest 2025 program reflects the festival’s global reach and creative range, featuring filmmakers from the U.S., Canada and India, alongside a strong local presence. Together, these shorts explore personal, political and imaginative terrain through distinct cinematic voices.

Best of Fest 2025 Program:

• Jury Award – The Housekeeper
  Directed by Surya Balakrishnan | Narrative | 23:00 min | India

• Best Local Short Filmmaker – Phantom Contact
  Directed by Andres Eduardo Campillo | Narrative | 19:59 min | USA

• Best Animation – Wild Animal
  Directed by Tianyun Lyu | Student | 12:35 min | USA

• Best Comedy – Lumen
  Directed by Stéphanie Bélanger | Narrative | 13:21 min | Canada

• Best Documentary – Edel Rodriguez: Freedom Is a Verb
  Directed by Mecky Creus and Adrienne Hall | Documentary | 17:05 min | USA

• Best North America Narrative – I Want to Go to Moscow
  Directed by Sarah Baskin | Narrative | 12:35 min | USA

The evening begins with a welcome cocktail reception, followed by the screening inside the Deering Estate Visitor Center theater. Please note that the program features short films recommended for audiences ages 18 and over.

Focus On: Best of Fest takes place Sunday, January 11. The reception begins at 7 p.m., with the screening at 7:30 p.m. General admission tickets are $20, with discounted pricing available for students, seniors and military guests.