2025 Award Winners

Great Wonders Productions was excited to be able to present our 2nd Annual Uplift Film Fest on January 9-11th at the Webb City Route 66 Theater. On Saturday night, we held our awards program at Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex in Joplin where we were thrilled to present the following awards:

Short Film Awards

Most Inspirational (Short)

The winner was Small Town Girl, Big Heart - Abby's Courage, directed and produced by Dena L. Hildebrand

Best Original Music (Short)

The winner was Interlude, Directed by Erik Stone

Best Cinematography (Short)

Best Actor (Short)

The winner was Devan Stone for Interlude.

Best Actress (Short)

The winner was Hattie Smith for After Taste

Best Documentary (Short)

The winner was Trauma: The New Epidemic, Directed by Matthew Jacobson and Backer Hamada

Best Narrative (Short)

The winner was Interlude, Directed by Erik Stone

Best Student Film

The winner was Father's Love is Like a Mountain, Directed by Pauline Angelina

Awards of Distinction

The GWP Board of Directors also wanted to give an Award of Distinction to one filmmaker from each of the Four States in our Region represented in our Festival each year.

Award of Distinction - Arkansas

For a fascinating short documentary about a challenging bicycle race, the Great Wonders Uplift Film Festival gives an Award of Distinction to Doom & Despair - directed by Jonathan Childs

Award of Distinction - Kansas

For artful and creative storytelling that leaves the audience wanting more, the Great Wonders Uplift Film Festival gives an Award of Distinction to The Broken Door, directed by Brett Eitzen.

Award of Distinction - Missouri

For a story recognizing value of a historic cemetery in St Louis, an Award of Distinction is given to a film closely exemplifying the heart of the Great Wonders Uplift Film Festival:

Greenwood, directed by Jim Karpowicz

Award of Distinction - Oklahoma

For a film of unique vision portraying Native American culture, perspective, and emotion through the arts of cinematography, performance, and dance, the Great Wonders Uplift Film Festival gives an Award of Distinction to Voices of the Ogahpah - directed by John E, Rodgers