The 22nd annual Oxford Film Festival wrapped up another successful year, drawing more than 1,200 film enthusiasts to celebrate independent cinema. With more than 80 films showcased across multiple categories, the festival highlighted diverse storytelling, with a special focus on films rooted in Mississippi’s culture and heritage.
This year’s festival theme, “Stories That Shape Us,” emphasized the power of story throughout a collection of feature films, documentaries and short films. Mississippi’s influence on storytelling, from its iconic locations to the authentic voices of its residents, played a prominent role in this year’s festival.
The event included a rich variety of films, including short films, feature films, documentaries, and student-produced films. A celebration of independent filmmakers from around the world, the festival featured interactive events and panel discussions with many of the filmmakers.
The 2025 Oxford Film Festival winners are:
University of Mississippi Student Award: “Voices of the Academy”
Three professors explore the history, significance, and ongoing challenges of African American Vernacular English in higher education and the United States, reflecting on its cultural impact and the fight for linguistic acceptance. Directed by LaToria Hicks.
1st Time Filmmaker (Short Film): “Teddy”
A security guard by day, Teddy Gant trained to become a doula to combat the high rate of adverse birth outcomes among Black women and their infants. Directed by Lauren Santucci.
1st Time Filmmaker (Feature): “Cajita”
Based on a true story, this film Tomás, an immigrant laborer who fled his country by shipping himself in a crate years before the story starts. Tomás now lives off the grid, performing odd jobs for an upper middle-class family and saving money to eventually buy a home for the family he left behind. Directed by Luis Gispert.
Documentary Short: “A House for My Mother”
This film is a poignant exploration of a remarkable individual’s life, interwoven with the broader narrative of African American history, racial progress, and the significance of preserving and honoring one’s heritage. Directed by Ana Flores and Mississippi native Dr. Benjamin Nero.
Documentary Feature: “Ultimate Citizen”
Filmed at Seattle’s Hazel Wolf K-8 school, this documentary introduces Jamshid Khajavi, an Iranian American immigrant, school counselor, chicken rescuer, and Ultimate Frisbee coach tirelessly devoted to the city’s immigrant kids. Directed by Francine Strickwerda.
Narrative Short: “Last to Leave”
The premiere short film by Mississippi native and actress Mary Elizabeth Ellis. Shot in late 2023, the film addresses the pandemic of loneliness post-covid, our primal need as humans for connection, and a reckoning with the way we treat our home planet. Produced by Mary Elizabeth Ellis, Kendall Goldberg, Andrew Pack, and Jon Bangle.
Narrative Feature: “Color Book”
Following his wife’s recent passing, single father Lucky finds himself navigating the challenges of raising his son Mason, who has Down syndrome. Seeking solace, Lucky and Mason embark on a journey across Metro Atlanta to attend their first baseball game together. Written and directed by David Fortune.
Mississippi Made (Short): “Hotaru”
Set against the backdrop of the mid-1990s, this poignant short film follows Kayla, a young girl caught in the whirlwind of childhood’s highs and lows. With her family facing significant changes, Kayla must confront deep-seated trauma, forcing her to navigate a path of healing and understanding. Directed by Herman J.R. Johnson.
Mississippi Made (Feature): “Stella Stevens: The Last Starlet”
The documentary explores the personal and professional life of Mississippi native Stella Stevens, arguably Hollywood’s last starlet. Written and directed by Andrew Stevens.
People’s Choice Award: “Counting In”
Counting In is a mockumentary exploring the life and current whereabouts of rock-n-roll’s mysterious legend Steve Staccato, the world’s greatest at counting to four before any song begins. Directed by Griffin Davis.
Best Overall Artistic Merit: “Lavender Men”
Taffeta, a contemporary queer person of color, summons Abraham Lincoln to perform an elaborate historical fantasia within her own head — only to learn that she can’t hide from her own present-day demons in the shadows of someone else’s past. Directed by Lovell Holder.
“The caliber of films at this year’s festival was outstanding,” said Mike Mitchell, president of the Oxford Film Festival board of directors. “In particular, showcasing the immense talent of our Mississippi filmmakers and the stories of our state was a true highlight of the festival.”
For more about the Oxford Film Festival and the 2025 winners, visit www.ox-film.com.
ABOUT OXFORD FILM FESTIVAL
The Oxford Film Festival exhibits films from across the globe that seek to provide a transformative experience for the audience through the art of storytelling. Praised for its hospitality, the festival was founded in 2003 by the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council. In 2008, the Oxford Film Festival became an independent nonprofit organization committed to celebrating the art of independent cinema. For more information, visit www.ox-film.com.
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