At an intimate party this past Sunday afternoon at the historic Footlights Club in the Jamaica Plain neighborhood of Boston, the Chlotrudis Society for Independent Film bestowed their annualTrudy awards to the best of independent film of 2025.
Besides the relaxed atmosphere among members and friends, the night featured a lively conversation and Q&A about the state of independent films being recognized in the mainstream from Ivy Moylan, Executive Director of the Brattle Film Foundation and Alex Kittle, founder of Strictly Brohibited, a Boston-area screening & discussion group highlighting women and gender-expansive filmmakers. There was also a sneak peek into the plans for the upcoming Independent Film Festival of Boston by Program Director Nancy Campbell and Executive Director Brian Tamm, as well as the traditional song parody to kick of the night’s festivities.
TRAIN DREAMS, directed by Clint Bentley and based on a novella by Denis Johnson was the big winner, earning 4 Trudies including Best Movie and Best Cinematography. The quiet period piece recounting the life of a railroad worker and logger proved a hit with the Society’s membership. The rest of the night’s results reflected a broad base, with several films earning accolades, among them Jafar Pahadi winning Best Director for IT WAS JUST AN ACCIDENT, and Best Documentary going to DEAF PRESIDENT NOW!
Meanwhile, in the acting categories, Rose Byrne won BEST LEAD for her intense performance in IF I HAD LEGS I’D KILL YOU as a mother navigating an intense mental health crisis. William H. Macy took Best Supporting Performance for his role in TRAIN DREAMS.. There was also a rare three-way tie in the Ensemble category, in which IT WAS JUST AN ACCIDENT, LEFT-HANDED GIRL and THE TESTAMENT OF ANN LEE all shared the win. And in another first, the Breakout category winner, Everett Blunck, was honored for his work in two films, GRIFFIN IN SUMMER and THE PLAGUE.
In the Society’s signature Buried Treasure category, the Belgian psychological drama JULIE KEEPS QUIET was this year’s winner. As the star player at an elite tennis academy, Julie’s life revolves around the game she loves. When her coach falls under investigation and is suddenly suspended, all of the club’s players are encouraged to speak up. But Julie decides to keep quiet. Buried Treasure is the only category with eligibility requirements: films must not have been nominated in two other categories, or earned significant box office. Also, members must verify that they have watched all or at least 5 of the nominated films in order to vote.
The Chlotrudis Society for Independent Film is a Boston-based non-profit group that teaches people to view film actively and experience the world through independent film, and encourages discussion. The group works with film festivals, local art-houses and theaters, production companies, directors and actors to bring creative, quality films to the attention of audiences and film-lovers.
Here follows the complete list of winners for the 32nd Annual Chlotrudis Awards:
BEST MOVIE
Train Dreams
BURIED TREASURE
Julie Keeps Quiet
BEST DOCUMENTARY
Deaf President Now!
BEST DIRECTOR
Jafar Panahi for It Was Just An Accident
BEST PERFORMANCE IN A LEAD ROLE
Rose Byrne for If I Had Legs I’d Kick You
BEST BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE
Everett Blunck for Griffin in Summer and The Plague
BEST PERFORMANCE IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
William H. Macy for Train Dreams
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ENSEMBLE CAST (3-way tie!)
It Was Just An Accident
Left Handed Girl
The Testament of Ann Lee
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Universal Language
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
Train Dreams
BEST EDITING
Caught By the Tides
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Train Dreams
BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN
Resurrection
BEST USE OF MUSIC IN FILM
The Testament of Ann Lee
BEST SOUND DESIGN
Deaf President Now!