Announcing the Winners!
After much deliberation, our distinguished panel of judges has selected this year’s winning films. Congratulations to all of the filmmakers and teams who participated. We are proud to announce our winners.
The Best Film of 2025 goes to Small Step Films! Their film ‘’Opacity’’ will go on to represent Louisville against all the other city winners from around the world at Filmapalooza 2026!
Previous Years
- 48 Hour Film Project - Louisville 2025
- 48 Hour Film Project - Louisville 2024
- 48 Hour Film Project - Louisville 2023
- 48 Hour Film Project - Louisville 2022
- 48 Hour Film Project - Louisville 2021
- 48 Hour Film Project - Louisville 2020
- 48 Hour Film Project - Louisville 2019
- 48 Hour Film Project - Louisville 2018
- 48 Hour Film Project - Louisville 2017
- 48 Hour Film Project - Louisville 2016
- 48 Hour Film Horror Project - Louisville 2015
- 48 Hour Film Project - Louisville 2015
- 48 Hour Film Horror Project - Louisville 2014
- 48 Hour Film Project - Louisville 2014
- 48 Hour Film Project - Louisville 2013
- 48 Hour Film Project - Louisville 2012
- 48 Hour Film Project - Louisville 2011
- 48 Hour Film Project - Louisville 2010
- 48 Hour Film Project - Louisville 2009
- 48 Hour Film Project - Louisville 2008
- 48 Hour Film Project - Louisville 2007
- 48 Hour Film Project - Louisville 2006
Character
Walter or Wanda S. Sinclair - a Judge
Walter or Wanda S. Sinclair - a Judge
Line
“This can't be happening.” OR “This cannot be happening.”
“This can't be happening.” OR “This cannot be happening.”
Prop
a Briefcase
a Briefcase
1st Place: Best Film of 2025

Opacity
by Small Step Films
2nd Place: Best Film of 2025

Under Their Roof
by Red Lotus Entertainment
3rd Place: Best Film of 2025

Hold Your Breath
by Directed By Elias Media, LLC
Audience Favorite Group A:

Trying
by Whole-Assed Films
Audience Favorite Group B:

Opacity
by Small Step Films
All Awards
Best Film
- Winner: Opacity by Small Step Films
- Under Their Roof by Red Lotus Entertainment
- Hold Your Breath by Directed By Elias Media, LLC
Best Writing
- Winner: In Our Defense by OfficeRocker Productions
- Opacity by Small Step Films
- This Can't Be Happening by Bear Chuck Productions
Best Editing
- Winner: The Last Father's Day by Zornie Productions
- Trying by Whole-Assed Films
- Under Their Roof by Red Lotus Entertainment
Best Directing
- Winner: Opacity by Small Step Films
- Under Their Roof by Red Lotus Entertainment
- A Fistful of Fruit by NO Entertainment
Best Cinematography
- Winner: Under Their Roof by Red Lotus Entertainment
- VERDICT by Reel Innovations
- Hold Your Breath by Directed By Elias Media, LLC
Best Sound Design
- Winner: A Fistful of Fruit by NO Entertainment
- VERDICT by Reel Innovations
- Under Their Roof by Red Lotus Entertainment
Best Original Musical Score
- Winner: VERDICT by Reel Innovations
- Garys Last Dance by A.P.E.
- Honorable Mention: Under Their Roof by Red Lotus Entertainment
Best Song
- Winner: CORN BEAM by Quantustra Arts
- Opacity by Small Step Films
- Just Desserts by Physical Mediators
Best Actor
- Winner: Hold Your Breath by Directed By Elias Media, LLC
- This Can't Be Happening by Bear Chuck Productions
- Honorable Mention: Inheritance by Burn It Down Productions
Best Actress
- Winner: Trying by Whole-Assed Films
- Opacity by Small Step Films
- Under Their Roof by Red Lotus Entertainment
Best Acting Ensemble
- Winner: Opacity by Small Step Films
- Winner: This Can't Be Happening by Bear Chuck Productions
- VERDICT by Reel Innovations
Best Graphic Design
- Winner: A Fistful of Fruit by NO Entertainment
- Judgement Day by Ro-Tang Productions
- This Can't Be Happening by Bear Chuck Productions
Best Special Effects
- Winner: Bye-Bye-Guy by Smokeydog Entertainment
- Judgement Day by Ro-Tang Productions
- Opacity by Small Step Films
Best Choreography
- Winner: Garys Last Dance by A.P.E.
Best Costume Design
- Winner: This Can't Be Happening by Bear Chuck Productions
- Hold Your Breath by Directed By Elias Media, LLC
- A Fistful of Fruit by NO Entertainment
Best Poster
- Winner: Trial by Combat by Cinema Family Productions
- Trying by Whole-Assed Films
- Opacity by Small Step Films
- Hold Your Breath by Directed By Elias Media, LLC
Best Trailer
- Winner: Hold Your Breath by Directed By Elias Media, LLC
- Trial by Combat by Cinema Family Productions
- Inheritance by Burn It Down Productions
Best Use of Character
- Winner: Judgement Day by Ro-Tang Productions
- This Can't Be Happening by Bear Chuck Productions
- Honorable Mention: Under Their Roof by Red Lotus Entertainment
Best Use of Prop
- Winner: Trial by Combat by Cinema Family Productions
- Opacity by Small Step Films
- Just Desserts by Physical Mediators
- This Can't Be Happening by Bear Chuck Productions
Best Use of Line
- Winner: In Our Defense by OfficeRocker Productions
- This Can't Be Happening by Bear Chuck Productions
- VERDICT by Reel Innovations
Best Stunts
- Winner: This Can't Be Happening by Bear Chuck Productions
- Nautical Nightmare by T- Hawk Academy
- Trial by Combat by Cinema Family Productions
Best Appreciation of the 48
- Winner: In Our Defense by OfficeRocker Productions
A.P.E.
Garys Last Dance
Burn It Down Productions
Inheritance
Directed By Elias Media, LLC
Hold Your Breath
OfficeRocker Productions
In Our Defense
Quantustra Arts
CORN BEAM
Reel Innovations
VERDICT
Smokeydog Entertainment
Bye-Bye-Guy
T- Hawk Academy
Nautical Nightmare
Whole-Assed Films
Trying
Zornie Productions
The Last Father's Day
Bear Chuck Productions
This Can't Be Happening
Cinema Family Productions
Trial by Combat
NO Entertainment
A Fistful of Fruit
Physical Mediators
Just Desserts
Red Lotus Entertainment
Under Their Roof
Ro-Tang Productions
Judgement Day
Small Step Films
Opacity
Timanem
!Bomba!
Vision Crafters
OBJECTIVE
Sponsors