The GSFF25 Scottish Short Film Award was awarded by a jury consisting of Joey Simons, a writer and artist from Glasgow who is a founding member of the Glasgow Housing Struggle Archive and is undertaking the Foyle Visual Artist residency in Hospitalfield House in 2025; Film and TV producer Carolynne Sinclair Kidd, with 30+ years in the industry as both filmmaker and Executive Producer of at the BFI/Creative Scotland-funded Scottish Film Talent Network; and Giulio Vita, founder of La Guarimba Film Festival in Amantea, Southern Italy.
It was won by Lisa Clarkson for Paternal Advice.
The jury said: In this outstanding short film, absurdist elements intrude on the edge of reality, language breaks down to its most elemental functions and the city’s ancient divisions take on a timeless, dream-like quality. Through the brilliant lead performance and striking sound design, the audience’s expectations are subtly undermined throughout. The final punchline is delivered with swagger, an old joke with a punchline we see coming but still can’t escape from. The filmmaker has delivered a perfect example of the short film form. The worthy winner of the Scottish competition jury award is Paternal Advice by Lisa Clarkson.
The jury gave a special mention to Baby directed by Eubha Akilade.
The Scottish audience award went to Soul by Eilidh Loan.