The Austin Film Festival wrapped up its 32nd year with a big reminder of why storytelling still hits home — whether it’s on the big screen, in your headphones or streamed between bites of breakfast tacos. This year’s lineup included 180 films — 21 were world premieres — and drew more than 35,000 attendees who came ready to watch, discuss and vote. After more than 25,000 ballots, the 2025 Audience Award winners are here.

At the top of the list? “The Boy From St. Croix,” directed by Scott Duncan — a heartfelt look at basketball legend Tim Duncan, of the San Antonio Spurs as he opens up about his career, legacy and deep roots in his island home.

For narrative feature, “American Baby” took home the win. Written by Tanya Leonova and Ellen Rodnianski, who also directed, the film follows Oli, a pregnant teen in small-town Texas, trying to track down her missing boyfriend while facing judgment from her community. 

On the documentary side, “Stronger Than You Think” proved to be exactly that. The film follows Ali Truwit, a swimmer who lost her leg in a shark attack and set her sights on the 2024 U.S. Paralympic team — one year later. 

Comedy fans got a two-for-one deal this year, with “Crystal Cross” and “Yesterday Island” tying for Comedy Vanguard Feature. “Crystal Cross” pairs a suicidal dad and a Christian pop singer on a chaotic road trip, while “Yesterday Island” sends a failed writer into a Subantarctic nightmare after a single midnight phone call.

The Dark Matters feature winner, “Sacrificios,” from Mauricio Chernovetzky, tells a story about grief, the ocean and the dangerous temptation to undo loss.

Closer to home, “Valentina” snagged Texas independent feature. Directed by Tatti Ribeiro, it’s a funny and relatable story about one woman’s struggle with bureaucracy at the El Paso-Juárez border.

Short film winners packed just as much heart. “More Than Dust,”  about a single mom confronting mortality, and “Uncle Johnny,” following a girl and her neurodivergent uncle on a bittersweet bowling trip both won in the Narrative Short category. “Recess,” written and directed by Jan Saczek, won Narrative Student Short for its story about a young teacher who accidentally sends a nude photo to one of her students.

Other standouts included “The Night Herons,” a documentary about a Houston relay team running 200 miles through Texas, and “Beyond Measure,” an animated short about a man literally shrinking while his relationship grows in unexpected ways.

And rounding things out with a laugh  — and a little blasphemy — “Betsy (expletive) Ross,” the “untrue story of America’s greatest sew job,” took home produced digital series.