SFFILM Awards Night 2025: A Cultural Celebration

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — San Francisco’s Gateway Pavilion at Pier 2 shimmered as the SFFILM Awards Night unfolded, blending Hollywood glamour with the city’s enduring commitment to film culture.

The gala, a cornerstone of the Bay Area’s cinematic calendar, drew A‑list talent and civic leaders for an evening that honored artistry while raising funds to support SFFILM’s programs for emerging filmmakers. As a stop on the road to the Oscars, the event underscored the city’s role in shaping the season’s momentum.

SFFILM, the organizer behind the San Francisco International Film Festival — the longest running film festival in the Americas — framed the celebration as a showcase of its mission to champion bold, risk‑taking artists.

Kristen Stewart received the Nion McEvoy & Leslie Berriman Award for Storytelling, presented by Imogen Poots, recognizing her evolution from actor to director and her bold creative choices.

Benicio del Toro — recently nominated for a Golden Globe for a supporting role in “One Battle After Another” — was honored with the Maria Manetti Shrem Award for Acting, presented by Regina Hall, celebrating his decades of impact and ability to embody complex characters.

Wunmi Mosaku earned the George Gund III Award for Virtuosity, presented by Delroy Lindo, spotlighting her breakout performance in “Sinners” and her emotional range.

Director Scott Cooper accepted the Irving M. Levin Award for Film Direction, presented by Odessa Young, acknowledging his body of work from “Crazy Heart” to “Black Mass.”

Scroll down for highlights from the 2025 SFFILM Awards Night.

The atmosphere was as much about spectacle as recognition. Champagne service and red‑carpet arrivals set the tone, with Stewart and Mosaku making fashion headlines. Attendees included Richard Gere, Boots Riley, Zac Posen and San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie, underscoring the event’s cultural weight.

And the film buzz continues Dec. 17 with the SF Honors Award, spotlighting Bradley Cooper’s “Is This Thing On?” alongside tributes to Will Arnett and Laura Dern.

Together, the SFFILM Awards Night and SF Honors Award transform December into a cinematic season, reaffirming San Francisco’s role as a cultural stage where Hollywood glamour meets Bay Area vision.

2025 SFFILM Awards Night

Kristen Stewart

Benicio del Toro

Wunmi Mosaku

Scott Cooper

Regina Hall

Odessa Young

Delroy Lindo

Philip Delaquis, Richard Gere and Barbara Miller

Anne Lai and Jessie Fairbanks

Zac Posen, Katie Traina and Todd Traina

Scott Cooper and Ava Cooper

Kristen Stewart and Imogen Poots

Anne Lai, Benicio Del Toro, Regina Hall and Jessie Fairbanks