Allegorical Trans Chiller ‘I Saw the TV Glow,’ Netflix Doc ‘Will & Harper,’ Provocative Tennis Drama ‘Challengers’ All Notch Double-Wins
The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics (GALECA), comprising over 500 entertainment critics, journalists, and media icons, has revealed the recipients of its 2025 Dorian Film Awards. The announcement, made on February 13 2025, in Los Angeles, showcased a diverse array of cinematic achievements, with particular emphasis on LGBTQ+ representation and groundbreaking artistry.
Coralie Fargeat’s “The Substance” emerged as the night’s big winner, claiming the prestigious Film of the Year award. The MUBI release dominated the ceremony with a total of five Dorian Awards, including Film Director of the Year for Fargeat and Film Performance of the Year for its star, Demi Moore. Moore’s transformation from her Brat Pack era to a formidable indie movie presence impressed GALECA voters, who also bestowed upon her the Timeless Star career achievement award. This honour, which celebrates “an exemplary career marked by character, wisdom and wit,” places Moore in the esteemed company of previous recipients such as Jodie Foster, Jane Fonda, and Sir Ian McKellen.
Jane Schoenbrun’s thought-provoking horror tale, “I Saw the TV Glow,” which led the nominations with nine nods, secured two significant wins: LGBTQ Film of the Year and LGBTQ Screenplay. The documentary category saw “Will & Harper” triumph, earning both Documentary of the Year and LGBTQ Documentary honours. This compelling film chronicles the enduring friendship between actor Will Ferrell and trans comedy writer Harper Steele.
Luca Guadagnino’s “Challengers,” a homoerotic reimagining of “Jules and Jim,” garnered acclaim in two categories. Justin Kuritzkes received the Screenplay of the Year award, while rock legends Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross were recognized for their tension-building techno score.
The highly anticipated film adaptation of “Wicked” made a strong showing at the Dorians. Ariana Grande was honoured with Supporting Film Performance of the Year, Jonathan Bailey was named Rising Star, and Cynthia Erivo, who portrays the misunderstood green-skinned heroine Elphaba Thropp, was awarded the LGBTQIA+ Film Trailblazer honour. This accolade, previously bestowed upon artists such as Janelle Monáe and Pedro Almodóvar, celebrates those who “inspire empathy, truth and equity.”
In a notable turn of events, Colman Domingo, nominated this year for “Sing Sing,” emerged victorious in the Wilde Artist category. This special accolade, named in homage to Oscar Wilde, is reserved for “a truly groundbreaking force in entertainment.” Domingo triumphed over a formidable list of nominees including Fargeat, Schoenbrun, Guadagnino, and Tilda Swinton.
GALECA President Walt Hickey commented on the awards, stating, “In our 16th year, GALECA’s members still have wicked fun toasting their favorites in film both mainstream and LGBTQ-themed.” Vice President Diane Anderson-Minshall added a pointed observation: “I’m certain even some ultra-conservatives who are out to erase all sorts of ‘woke’ words and letters—not to mention history—are secretly taking note of our winners. Everyone appreciates the expert Q+ eye on entertainment.”
Other notable Dorian winners included “The People’s Joker,” a trans-empowering Batman spoof, and “Problemista,” both recognized as Unsung Film gems. Director RaMell Ross’ “Nickel Boys” was lauded as Visually Striking Film, while the animated feature “Flow” took home Animated Film of the Year. The Best Non-English Language Film category saw Brazil’s fact-based protest drama “I’m Still Here” emerge victorious, while the controversial “Emilia Pérez” was named Best LGBTQ Non-English Language Film.
The 2025 Dorian Film Awards continue to highlight GALECA’s commitment to recognizing excellence in cinema, with a particular focus on amplifying LGBTQ+ voices and stories. As the entertainment industry evolves, these awards serve as a testament to the power of diverse storytelling and the enduring impact of queer artistry in film.
GALECA: THE SOCIETY OF LGBTQ ENTERTAINMENT CRITICS
16TH DORIAN FILM AWARDS LIST OF NOMINEES & WINNERS
FILM OF THE YEAR
Anora (Neon)
Challengers (Amazon MGM Studios)
I Saw the TV Glow (A24)
Nickel Boys (Orion Pictures/Amazon MGM Studios)
️The Substance (Mubi)
LGBTQ FILM OF THE YEAR
Challengers (Amazon MGM Studios)
Emilia Pérez (Netflix)
I Saw the TV Glow (A24)
Love Lies Bleeding (A24)
Queer (A24)
DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
Brady Corbet, The Brutalist (A24)
️Coralie Fargeat, The Substance (Mubi)
Luca Guadagnino, Challengers (Amazon MGM Studios)
RaMell Ross, Nickel Boys (Orion Pictures/Amazon MGM Studios)
Jane Schoenbrun, I Saw the TV Glow (A24)
SCREENPLAY OF THE YEAR
—Original or adapted
Sean Baker, Anora (Neon)
Coralie Fargeat, The Substance (Mubi)
️Justin Kuritzkes, Challengers (Amazon MGM Studios)
Jane Schoenbrun, I Saw the TV Glow (A24)
Peter Straughan, Conclave (Focus Features)
LGBTQ SCREENPLAY OF THE YEAR
Rose Glass and Weronika Tofilska, Love Lies Bleeding (A24)
Justin Kuritzkes, Challengers (Amazon MGM Studios)
Justin Kuritzkes, Queer (A24)
️Jane Schoenbrun, I Saw the TV Glow (A24)
Julio Torres, Problemista (A24)
NON-ENGLISH LANGUAGE FILM OF THE YEAR
All We Imagine as Light (Sideshow / Janus Films)
Emilia Pérez (Netflix)
Flow (Sideshow / Janus Films)
️I’m Still Here (Sony Pictures Classics)
The Seed of the Sacred Fig (Neon)
LGBTQ NON-ENGLISH FILM OF THE YEAR
Crossing (Mubi)
️Emilia Pérez (Netflix)
Queendom (Greenwich Entertainment)
Vermiglio (Sideshow / Janus Films)
All Shall Be Well (Strand Releasing)
UNSUNG FILM OF THE YEAR
—To an exceptional movie worthy of greater attention
Didi (Focus Features)
Hundreds of Beavers (Cineverse, Vinegar Syndrome)
My Old Ass (Amazon MGM Studios)
️Problemista (A24)
Thelma (Magnolia)
UNSUNG LGBTQ FILM OF THE YEAR
Femme (Utopia)
My Old Ass (Amazon MGM Studios)
National Anthem (Variance, LD Entertainment)
️The People’s Joker (Altered Innocence)
Problemista (A24)
FILM PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
Adrien Brody, The Brutalist (A24)
Daniel Craig, Queer (A24)
Colman Domingo, Sing Sing (A24)
Karla Sofía Gascón, Emilia Pérez (Netflix)
Cynthia Erivo, Wicked (Universal)
Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Hard Truths (Bleecker Street)
Nicole Kidman, Babygirl (A24)
Mikey Madison, Anora (Neon)
️Demi Moore, The Substance (Mubi)
Justice Smith, I Saw the TV Glow (A24)
SUPPORTING FILM PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
Michele Austin, Hard Truths (Bleecker Street)
Yura Borisov, Anora (Neon)
Kieran Culkin, A Real Pain (Searchlight Pictures)
️Ariana Grande, Wicked (Universal)
Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Nickel Boys (Orion Pictures/Amazon MGM Studios)
Jack Haven, I Saw the TV Glow (A24)
Clarence Maclin, Sing Sing (A24)
Guy Pearce, The Brutalist (A24)
Margaret Qualley, The Substance (Mubi)
Zoe Saldaña, Emilia Pérez (Netflix)
DOCUMENTARY OF THE YEAR
Dahomey (Mubi)
Daughters (Netflix)
The Remarkable Life of Ibelin (Netflix)
Sugarcane (National Geographic)
️Will & Harper (Netflix)
LGBTQ DOCUMENTARY OF THE YEAR
Chasing Chasing Amy (Level 33)
Frida (Amazon MGM Studios)
Merchant Ivory (Cohen Media Group)
Queendom (Greenwich Entertainment)
️Will & Harper (Netflix)
ANIMATED FILM OF THE YEAR
️Flow (Sideshow / Janus Films)
Inside Out 2 (Disney)
Memoir of a Snail (IFC Films)
Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl (Netflix)
The Wild Robot (Universal, DreamWorks)
GENRE FILM OF THE YEAR
For excellence in science fiction, fantasy and horror
Dune: Part Two (Warner Bros.)
I Saw the TV Glow (A24)
Nosferatu (Focus Features)
️The Substance (Mubi)
Wicked (Universal)
FILM MUSIC OF THE YEAR
The Brutalist (A24) – Daniel Blumberg
️Challengers (Amazon MGM Studios) – Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross
Emilia Pérez (Netflix) – Clément Ducol and Camille
I Saw the TV Glow (A24) – Alex G
Wicked (Universal) – John Powell and Stephen Schwartz, et al.
VISUALLY STRIKING FILM OF THE YEAR
The Brutalist (A24)
Dune: Part Two (Warner Bros.)
Nosferatu (Focus Features)
️Nickel Boys (Orion Pictures/Amazon MGM Studios)
The Substance (Mubi)
CAMPIEST FLICK
Hundreds of Beavers (Cineverse, Vinegar Syndrome)
Madame Web (Sony)
Megalopolis (Lionsgate)
️The Substance (Mubi)
Trap (Warner Bros.)
“WE’RE WILDE ABOUT YOU!” RISING STAR AWARD
️Jonathan Bailey
Vera Drew
Karla Sofía Gascón
Jack Haven
Mikey Madison
Katy O’Brian
Drew Starkey
WILDE ARTIST AWARD
To a truly groundbreaking force in entertainment
️Colman Domingo
Luca Guadagnino
Coralie Fargeat
Jane Schoenbrun
Tilda Swinton
GALECA LGBTQIA+ FILM TRAILBLAZER
For creating art that inspires empathy, truth and equity
Vera Drew
️Cynthia Erivo
Luca Guadagnino
Jane Schoenbrun
Julio Torres
TIMELESS STAR (Career achievement award)
Honouring an exemplary career marked by character, wisdom and wit
Demi Moore
For more on the Dorian Awards, tune in to Harvey’s Brunch Club Sundays from 9am on Queerly Radio and follow @thisisqueerly on social media.