The 2025 ACE Eddie Awards have once again showcased the unsung heroes behind our favorite films and TV shows: the editors. This year’s ceremony, originally scheduled for January 18 but postponed due to the L.A. wildfires, celebrated the art of editing across 14 categories. From the captivating drama of ‘Emilia Pérez’ to the animated charm of ‘The Wild Robot’, and the documentary depth of ‘Will & Harper’, the winners represent a diverse array of storytelling prowess. Let’s dive into the highlights of this year’s awards and explore the magic behind the scenes.
Feature Film Winners: Drama and Comedy
In the drama category, ‘Emilia Pérez’ took home the coveted award for Best Edited Feature Film. Juliette Welfling’s skillful editing brought the film’s intense narrative to life, earning her well-deserved recognition. The competition was fierce, with nominees like ‘Civil War’, ‘Conclave’, ‘Dune: Part Two’, and ‘Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga’ showcasing the high caliber of editing talent in the industry.
On the lighter side, ‘Wicked’ emerged victorious in the comedy category. Myron Kerstein, ACE, masterfully crafted the film’s comedic timing, securing the win against strong contenders like ‘Anora’, ‘Challengers’, ‘A Real Pain’, and ‘The Substance’. The ability to make audiences laugh through precise editing is a testament to Kerstein’s skill.
Animated and Documentary Features
The world of animation saw ‘The Wild Robot’ take the top prize for Best Edited Animated Feature. Mary Blee’s editing brought the heartwarming story to life, beating out other notable entries like ‘Flow’, ‘Inside Out 2’, ‘Moana 2’, and ‘Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl’.
In the documentary realm, ‘Will & Harper’ claimed the award for Best Edited Documentary Feature. Monique Zavistovski, ACE, skillfully wove together the film’s narrative, outshining competitors such as ‘Beatles ’64’, ‘Jim Henson Idea Man’, ‘Her Name was Moviola’, and ‘Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story’.
Television Triumphs
Television editing also took center stage at the 2025 ACE Eddie Awards. ‘What We Do in the Shadows’ won Best Edited Single Camera Comedy Series for the episode ‘Sleep Hypnosis’, with Liza Cardinale, ACE, and Dane McMaster, ACE, delivering a comedic masterpiece. Other nominees in this category included ‘The Bear’, ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’, ‘Nobody Wants This’, and ‘Only Murders in the Building’.
In the drama series category, ‘Shogun’ claimed the top spot for the episode ‘A Dream of A Dream’. Maria Gonzales, ACE, and Aika Miyake’s editing brought the epic story to life, surpassing entries like ‘3 Body Problem’, ‘Fallout’, ‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith’, and ‘Slow Horses’.
‘Baby Reindeer’ took home the award for Best Edited Limited Series for the episode ‘Episode 4’. Peter H. Oliver and Benjamin Gerstein’s editing captivated audiences, beating out ‘Disclaimer’, ‘Fargo’, ‘The Penguin’, and ‘Ripley’.
Special Recognitions and Non-Theatrical Wins
The ceremony also honored individuals who have made significant contributions to the field of editing. Jon M. Chu, the filmmaker behind ‘Wicked’, received the ACE Golden Eddie Filmmaker of the Year Award. Additionally, film editors Maysie Hoy and Paul Hirsch were recognized with career achievement awards for their outstanding work over the years.
In the non-theatrical feature film category, ‘Road House’ emerged as the winner, with Doc Crotzer, ACE, taking home the prize. The film bested ‘Am I OK?’ and ‘Unfrosted’ in a competitive field.
Documentary and Variety Series
The Best Edited Documentary Series award went to ‘Chimp Crazy’ for the episode ‘Gone Ape’. Evan Wise, ACE, Charles Divak, ACE, Adrienne Gits, ACE, and Doug Abel, ACE, collaborated to create a compelling documentary experience. Other nominees included ‘The Jinx – Part Two’, ‘Quiet On Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV’, and ‘STEVE! (Martin) a Documentary in 2 Pieces’.
In the world of variety and talk shows, ‘Last Week Tonight with John Oliver’ won Best Edited Variety Talk/Sketch Show or Special for the episode ‘Boeing’. Anthony Miale, ACE, showcased his editing prowess, surpassing entries like ‘Ali Wong: Single Lady’ and ‘John Mulaney Presents: Everybody’s in L.A.’.
Animated Series and Multi-Camera Comedy
The animated series category saw ‘X-Men ’97’ take the top prize for the episode ‘Remember It’. Michelle McMillan’s editing brought the beloved characters back to life, beating out ‘Bob’s Burgers’ and ‘The Simpsons’.
In the multi-camera comedy series category, ‘Frasier’ won for the episode ‘My Brilliant Sister’. Russell Griffin, ACE, skillfully edited the episode, surpassing ‘Poppa’s House’ and ‘The Upshaws’.
The Art of Editing: Behind the Scenes
Editing is often referred to as the invisible art of filmmaking. It’s the process where thousands of hours of footage are transformed into a cohesive story that captivates audiences. The winners of the 2025 ACE Eddie Awards have demonstrated exceptional skill in this craft, seamlessly weaving together scenes to create emotional impact and narrative flow.
Take, for example, the editing of ‘Emilia Pérez’. Juliette Welfling had to navigate complex emotional arcs and intense action sequences, ensuring that each cut served the story. Her ability to maintain tension and build emotional resonance through editing was key to the film’s success.
Similarly, the editing of ‘Wicked’ required a delicate balance of comedy and heart. Myron Kerstein, ACE, had to time each cut perfectly to maximize the film’s humor while also allowing moments of sincerity to shine through. This balance is what made ‘Wicked’ a standout in the comedy category.
The Impact of Editing on Storytelling
Editing is not just about cutting and splicing footage; it’s about shaping the narrative and guiding the audience’s emotional journey. The winners of the 2025 ACE Eddie Awards have shown how powerful editing can be in telling a story.
In ‘The Wild Robot’, Mary Blee’s editing brought the animated world to life, creating a seamless flow between scenes that allowed viewers to become fully immersed in the story. Her ability to maintain pacing and build emotional connections between characters was crucial to the film’s success.
‘Will & Harper’, the winning documentary feature, showcased the power of editing in crafting a compelling narrative. Monique Zavistovski, ACE, skillfully wove together interviews, archival footage, and emotional moments to create a film that resonated with audiences on a deep level.
Television Editing: A Different Challenge
Television editing presents its own unique challenges, as editors must maintain consistency across multiple episodes while also ensuring each episode stands on its own. The winners of the 2025 ACE Eddie Awards in the television categories demonstrated their ability to navigate these challenges with finesse.
‘What We Do in the Shadows’ is a perfect example of this. Liza Cardinale, ACE, and Dane McMaster, ACE, had to maintain the show’s signature humor while also developing character arcs over the course of the season. Their editing in the episode ‘Sleep Hypnosis’ showcased their ability to balance comedy and character development seamlessly.
‘Shogun’, on the other hand, required a different approach. Maria Gonzales, ACE, and Aika Miyake had to navigate the complex world-building and political intrigue of the series while also ensuring that the emotional stakes remained high. Their editing in the episode ‘A Dream of A Dream’ demonstrated their skill in crafting a compelling narrative across a sprawling canvas.
The Future of Editing
As we look to the future of editing, it’s clear that the craft will continue to evolve alongside technological advancements. The winners of the 2025 ACE Eddie Awards have set a high standard for what’s possible in the world of editing, and we can only imagine what innovations and creative approaches will emerge in the years to come.
From virtual reality to interactive storytelling, editors will play a crucial role in shaping how audiences experience stories. The skills demonstrated by this year’s winners – the ability to craft compelling narratives, build emotional connections, and maintain pacing – will be essential as the industry continues to push boundaries.
The 2025 ACE Eddie Awards have once again highlighted the importance of editing in the world of film and television. From the drama of ‘Emilia Pérez’ to the comedy of ‘Wicked’, and from the animated world of ‘The Wild Robot’ to the documentary depth of ‘Will & Harper’, this year’s winners have showcased the power of editing to transform raw footage into unforgettable stories.
As we celebrate these achievements, let’s also look forward to the future of editing and the new stories that will be brought to life through the skill and creativity of editors around the world. The 2025 ACE Eddie Awards have set the stage for a new era of cinematic magic, and we can’t wait to see what comes next.
Source: www.hollywoodreporter.com