Seance directed by Vivian Kerr has won the Best Feature Film at the 19th Annual Beaufort International Film Festival in Beaufort, SC which wrapped on Sunday. Scottie Thompson also won Best Actress for her performance in the film as a Victorian woman in 1892 California, contemplating adultery, and is forced to take refuge from a storm at the home of her first husband and his unstable wife, who claims to be haunted by their dead child.
Best Documentary Feature went to Segal directed by Vernon Alfredo Davidson and Ryan Krayser. In the film, entertainer George Segal shares his life story, from a shy kid from Great Neck to Hollywood leading man.
“We were honored to have so many filmmakers from around the world in our tiny but beautiful sea island city to showcase their work,” said Ron Tucker, President, Beaufort Film Society.
The complete list of winners of 2025 Beaufort International Film Festival
Legends & Legacies Award: Tim Gray, World War II Foundation, South Kingstown, RI
Behind the Scenes Award: Lee Donaldson, Charleston, SC
Best Screenplay: Poster Girls, Written by Christina Capra, Charlotte, NC
Best Animation: Gleam, Directed by Anna Palmtag, Cary, NC
Best Student Film: Two Breaths, Directed by Kateryna Kurganska, West Hollywood, CA
Best Short Film: Neither Donkey Nor Horse, Directed by Robin Wang, Los Angeles, CA
Best Documentary Feature: Segal, Directed by Vernon Alfredo Davidson & Ryan Krayser, Calabasas, CA
Best Documentary Short: 1001 Cuts, Directed by Sarah M. Temkin, Washington, DC
Best Feature Film: Seance, Directed by Vivian Kerr, Los Angeles, CA
Duty & Honor Award: Running Towards the Fire: A War Correspondent’s Story, Directed by Bernard McCoy, Lincoln, NE
Best Actor: Boyd Gaines, Silver Sizzle, Directed by Brian Russell, Fairfield, CT
Best Actress: Scottie Thompson, Seance, Directed by Vivian Kerr, Los Angeles, CA
Best Director: Robin Wang, Neither Donkey Nor Horse, Los Angeles, CA
Best Comedy: Ms. Rossi 3: Ms. Rossi Meets the Mob, Directed by Pat Battistini, Santa Clarita, CA
Best Ensemble Cast: Game Night, Directed by Rob Figueroa, Montclair, NJ
Best Score/Music: Brandon Jung & Nathan Wang, Neither Donkey Nor Horse, Directed by Robin Wang, Los Angeles, CA
Audience Choice Award: Where Were You, Directed by Phillip Abraham, Produced by Leah Abraham