As the curtain falls on 2025, two distinct corners of the film world—Puerto Rico and Northern Ireland—are celebrating a banner year. Both regions have not only showcased their creative prowess but also demonstrated how local talent, cutting-edge technology, and cultural heritage can make waves on the global stage. The Puerto Rico Critics Association (PRCA) and Northern Ireland Screen have each released their annual roundups, and the results are nothing short of impressive.
On January 2, 2026, the PRCA unveiled its winners honoring the best in film for 2025. The top accolade, Best Picture, went to "Sinners," a film that also secured Best Director for Ryan Coogler and swept other major categories including Best Original Screenplay, Best Horror Film, Best Cinematography, and Best Original Score. According to the PRCA, "Sinners" stood out in a fiercely competitive field, underscoring Coogler’s continued impact on contemporary cinema.
The acting categories featured some of Hollywood’s brightest stars. Timothée Chalamet took home Best Actor for his performance in "Marty Supreme," while Amanda Seyfried was recognized as Best Actress for her role in "The Testament of Ann Lee." The supporting categories were equally stacked: Benicio del Toro earned Best Supporting Actor for "One Battle After Another," and Amy Madigan clinched Best Supporting Actress for her work in "Weapons." Del Toro’s contributions were further honored with The Raúl Juliá Award, celebrating his outstanding performances in both "One Battle After Another" and "The Phoenician Scheme."
The PRCA also made room for local stories. "Esta Isla" was named Best Puerto Rican Film, highlighting the island’s vibrant filmmaking community. The Rising Star Award went to Chase Infiniti for her performances in "One Battle After Another," signaling a new generation of talent ready to take the spotlight. Meanwhile, the Cinematographic Resistance Award was given to Jafar Panahi for "It Was Just an Accident," recognizing cinema’s power to challenge authority and illuminate urgent social issues.
Other notable PRCA winners included "One Battle After Another," which triumphed in both Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Action Film, and "KPop Demon Hunters," which was named Best Animated Feature. The documentary "The Perfect Neighbor" and the international feature "Sentimental Value" also received top honors, while "Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery" was celebrated as Best Comedy/Musical. The technical categories saw "Frankenstein" dominating with wins in Best Costume Design, Best Hair & Makeup, and Best Production Design, while "Avatar: Fire and Ash" took Best Visual Effects and "F1" claimed Best Sound.
Across the Atlantic, Northern Ireland Screen’s 2025 Year in Review painted a picture of a region on the rise. According to their report, Northern Ireland’s film and television industry delivered an “exceptional” year, with productions ranging from epic features to hard-hitting dramas. The region’s appeal was underscored by A-list sightings: Hugh Jackman and Jodie Comer filmed "The Death of Robin Hood" in Ballycastle and Holywood, while Bill Murray made headlines during his work on the BBC/Paramount+ series "Off Course." Lucy Liu graced the Belfast Film Festival’s 25th anniversary, receiving the prestigious Réalta award.
Studio Ulster, a 75,000-square-foot virtual production facility launched in June, quickly became a jewel in the region’s crown. Its state-of-the-art technology was put to the test in "Titanic Sinks Tonight," a four-part documentary series produced by Stellify Media. The series, which aired on BBC Two starting December 28, 2025, used innovative virtual production to recreate the infamous 160 minutes of the Titanic disaster, captivating audiences across the UK.
Animation also had its moment with "Nollaí," a magical film from Belfast-based Taunt Studios released in both Irish and English on iPlayer. The fantasy adventure followed an ordinary deer with an extraordinary secret, charming viewers of all ages. Meanwhile, the police drama "Blue Lights" kicked off 2025 with a Best Drama Series win at the Broadcast Awards and a BAFTA TV Award, testament to the high caliber of local storytelling. Its third series aired in September, and production for the fourth is set to begin in February 2026.
Awards continued to flow for the region’s talent. Rich Peppiatt picked up a BAFTA for Outstanding Debut for "Kneecap," which also won four IFTAs, while Nick Emerson was honored with a BAFTA for Best Editing on "Conclave." Alleycats, a Derry-based company, won a BAFTA TV Award for "Clive Myrie’s Caribbean Adventure," which explores the journalist’s personal and cultural roots in the Caribbean.
The year was also marked by social progress and sustainability. In March, Northern Ireland Screen’s Creative Industries New Entrants (CINE) programme won the Best EDI Initiative award at the CIPD Northern Ireland Awards for promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion. The region’s commitment to green filmmaking was recognized in May with the Special Recognition Award at the Global Production Awards during the Cannes Film Festival. Belfast’s designation as City of Film in 2025, outshining cities like New York and Sydney, was a crowning achievement, reflecting its cross-sectoral approach to investment and storytelling.
Young filmmakers from Park School in Belfast brought home the Best Film Award (age 12-15) at the Into Film Awards in London for "Superhero School." Their prize included a private screening at Paramount Pictures’ cinema, a moment sure to inspire the next wave of Northern Irish storytellers. The Irish Language Broadcast Fund celebrated its 20th anniversary with a Lifetime Achievement Award from An tOireachtas, recognizing two decades of positive impact on the Irish-language media sector.
Box office figures also told a story of success. Universal’s live-action remake of "How to Train Your Dragon," filmed in part at iconic Northern Irish locations like Dunseverick Castle and Tollymore Forest, opened in June to a record-breaking $197.8 million worldwide. "Four Letters of Love," partially shot in Northern Ireland and starring Pierce Brosnan and Helena Bonham Carter, hit cinemas in July, while "Saipan," a film chronicling the infamous clash between Roy Keane and Mick McCarthy, premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival before opening in Irish cinemas on December 26th.
Television continued its strong run with Channel 4’s "In Flight" and "Trespasses," ITV’s "Malpractice" series two, and Channel 5’s "Murder Most Puzzling" all filming in Northern Ireland. The fifth series of "Hope Street" aired in October after filming in June, opening with a dramatic explosion at the Port Devine half-marathon. The region also prepared to welcome the 2026 Celtic Media Festival, set to take place in Belfast in June, providing a global platform for Celtic voices.
From Puerto Rico’s critics’ picks to Northern Ireland’s industry accolades, 2025 was a year that celebrated artistry, innovation, and community. As both regions look ahead to 2026, the momentum shows no sign of slowing—proving that great stories, wherever they originate, have the power to resonate far beyond their borders.
