The documentary film Space Chasers by Dr. Steven Swancoat was awarded Best Film at the 11th Explorers Festival, that concluded last night in Húsavík, selected from a powerful lineup of 22 documentaries from 17 countries this year.
Held annually by The Exploration Museum, the festival once again brought filmmakers, scientists, explorers and local audiences together for five days of screenings, discussions and Q&A sessions. This year’s selection ranged from Arctic expeditions and deep-sea mysteries to Nepalese mushroom hunters, Brazilian environmental storytellers, and artists interpreting the planet’s changing landscapes.
2025 Explorers Festival Award Winners:
Best Film: Space Chasers
Director: Dr. Steven Swancoat
An astrophotographer travels the world chasing the night sky and reconnecting people to the cosmos. Emotional, cinematic and inspiring, Space Chasers resonated deeply with this year’s jury.
Best Director: Yehuda Goldman
for ‘Look Down Not Up’
Goldman was recognized for his sensitive, human-centered direction in the Nepal-based documentary blending science, music and culture.
Best Storytelling: Look Down Not Up
By: Richard Silber & Yehuda Goldman
A compelling narrative weaving together ecology, community and adventure in the Himalayas.
Best Science Film: Chasing the Arctic Melt
Directors: Stella Papadopoulou & Gunnar Zetterberg
Aboard the icebreaker Oden, the film captures the urgent reality of a rapidly changing Arctic through the eyes of researchers.
Best Cinematography: Mojtaba Bahadori
for ‘On Melting Snow’
An Iceland–Belgium production that merges art, landscape and emotion through striking, poetic visuals.
The Explorers Festival continues to grow, welcoming a diverse group of filmmakers who often travel from around the world to premiere or present their work in Húsavík. This year’s audience included visiting scientists, students, expedition leaders and locals alike—highlighting Húsavík’s emerging role as a cultural hub for exploration-themed cinema and storytelling.
