The 69th San Francisco International Film Festival revealed the winners of the Golden Gate Awards, with Filipiñana, directed by Rafael Manuel, winning the New Directors Award.
In a statement, the jury said, “The jury awards Rafael Manuel’s debut feature, Filipiñana, a striking and surreal exploration of class and adolescence set against the backdrop of one endless, blistering summer day on the expansive golf course of a luxurious Manila country club. Grounded in an impressively self-assured performance by Jorrybell Agoto, as a new employee – teeing up balls for the club’s wealthy members – the film offers an epic look at the individuals who exist within the club’s deeply ingrained hierarchy.”
Other top jury awards, including the Kirby Walker Documentary Award, went to How to Clean a House in 10 Easy Steps, directed by Carolina González Valencia, and Salvation, directed by Emin Alper, which took the Global Visions Award.
The Audience Awards went to Hot Water, directed by Ramzi Bashour for Best Narrative, and Best Documentary went to Figaro Up, Figaro Down, directed by Javid Soriano.
Anne Lai, SFFILM’s Executive Director, said, “We couldn’t have asked for a more incredible Festival this year. There was such a strong spirit of discovery throughout—from audiences diving into thoughtfully curated films, to filmmakers bringing honesty and insight to every Q&A. Our supporters and volunteers made each event feel special, and our partners welcomed everyone with true warmth and generosity. We’re so grateful to everyone who showed up and made it what it was. Human connection is what made this year so memorable—it is one for the books! We can’t wait to celebrate our 70th Anniversary together next year.”
SFFILM’s Director of Programming, Jessie Fairbanks, convened juries for narrative, documentary, mid-length, and short films, as well as a special Cine Latino Spotlight panel. Juries for Family Films and Youth Works (films by directors 18 years and younger) were overseen by SFFILM’s Education team, led by Keith Zwolfer.
“There’s a particular poetic resonance in honoring these specific films with SFFILM’s jury prizes and audience awards—a reminder that cinema continues to be a vital art form in these tumultuous times,” said Jessie Fairbanks, Director of Programming. “I’m delighted with each of the jury selections and moved that our audiences selected two films which received grants and support from our organization. What a wonderful way to celebrate the variety of films and stories presented at this year’s festival.”
The Golden Gate Award and Audience Award winners, along with Honorable Mentions for SFFILM’s 69th San Francisco International Film Festival, are below, accompanied by their jury statements.
New Directors Award
Filipiñana—WINNER
Rafael Manuel (Singapore, UK, Philippines, France, Netherlands 2025)
If I Go Will They Miss Me — HONORABLE MENTION
Walter Thompson-Hernández (USA 2026)
Kirby Walker Documentary Award
How to Clean a House in 10 Easy Steps—WINNER
Carolina González Valencia (USA, Colombia, Mexico 2026)
Yo (Love Is A Rebellious Bird) — HONORABLE MENTION
Anna Fitch, Banker White (USA 2026)
Global Visions Award
Salvation—WINNER
Emin Alper (Turkey, France, Netherlands, Greece, Sweden, Saudi Arabia 2026)
Memory of Princess Mumbi—HONORABLE MENTION
Directed by Damien Hauser (Kenya 2025)
Short Film Award—Narrative
Callback—WINNER
Matthew Puccini (USA 2026)
Short Film Award—Documentary
In the Morning Sun—WINNER
Serville Poblete (Canada, Philippines 2025)
Short Film Award—Animation
Paper Trail—WINNER
Don Hertzfeldt (USA 2026)
Short Film Award—Bay Area
The Baddest Speechwriter of All—WINNER
Ben Proudfoot, Stephen Curry (USA 2026)
Mid-Length Film Award
Scenes from the Divide—WINNER
Alison Klayman (USA 2026)
Cine Latino Spotlight
It Would Be Night In Caracas
Mariana Rondón, Marité Ugás (Mexico 2025)
Family Films Award
Duet—WINNER
Léo Brunel (France 2025)
Youth Works Award
Cindy Undead—WINNER
Mariella Gutiérrez (USA 2025)
Little Things—HONORABLE MENTION
Noam Rignault Clement (France, Spain, USA 2026)
Audience Award—Narrative
Hot Water
Ramzi Bashour (USA 2026)
Audience Award—Documentary
Figaro Up, Figaro Down
Javid Soriano (USA 2026)
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