The International Puerto Rican Heritage Film Festival (IPRHFF) has announced the winners of its 2025 edition, celebrating its 15th anniversary with a showcase of 104 submitted films from Puerto Rico and around the world. Held from November 12–16, the festival featured a dynamic three-day program of shorts, feature films, documentaries, and music videos that highlight the creativity and cultural richness of the Puerto Rican and Latinx diaspora.
"We are honored to recognize such powerful and inspiring films," said Veronica Caicedo, Founder and CEO of IPRHFF. "Each winner reflects the spirit of the IPRHFF mission—celebrating heritage, empowering storytellers, and amplifying the diverse experiences of our community." The awards span multiple categories, recognizing excellence in narrative, documentary, screenwriting, and performance.
Among the top honors, @love won Best Narrative Feature, while Remembering Big Juan: "Chi Chi" Rodriguez Story took Best Documentary Film. The Best Screenplay award went to Bruja, and Best Short Script was awarded to La Doña. In the live-action short category, Mulata won Best Live Action Short, with an Honorable Mention going to Betty Bird Goes to War. The Best Documentary Short was Playing Through.
The festival also recognized outstanding individual achievements. Vanyarianna Ortiz Marquez won Best Actress for her role as "Adina" in Mulata, and Washington M. Perez won Best Actor for his portrayal of "Cesar" in Blink. The Best Director award went to The Ladder, and the Estrella Boriquena Award was presented to A West Side Story Story. Other winners include Best Music Video for A Media Luna, Best Thriller for Deformed / Deforme, and the Audience Choice Award for Last Words.
The IPRHFF continues its mission to create platforms for diverse filmmakers to reach broader audiences, fostering collaboration and exploring stories relevant to Puerto Rican heritage and the larger Latino community. For more information about the festival and its programs, visit iprhff.org.
