Midyear Movies

A monthly highlight of movies, documentaries and awards in 2025.

Treasure isn’t given, it’s discovered.

This post mostly unearths good entertainment that hasn’t been hyped or gained fair popularity in 2025.

JANUARY

Movie: ‘The Ballad of Wallis Island’ (UK musician romance dramedy)

Foreign Movie: ‘Filmlovers!’ (France)

Doccie: ‘Chasing Perfection: Four Seasons with Japan's Master Gardeners’ (English language Japanese TV - WATCH FOR FREE)

Award Winner: ‘Sorry, Baby’ (Sundance Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award to Eva Victor)

FEBRUARY

Movie: ‘Didi’ (USA coming-of-age, began streaming)

Foreign Movie: ‘Mickey 17’ (Korean director but English scifi)

Doccie: ‘Gaza: How to Survive a War Zone’ (made and banned by the BBC)

Award Winner: ‘The Blue Trail’ (Berlin IFF’s Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize)

MARCH

English Movie: ‘Bob Trevino Likes It’ (friendship dramedy)

Foreign Movie: ‘Holy Cow’ (France coming-of-age)

Doccie: ‘Secret Mall Apartment’ (a helluva statement on rent)

Award Winner: ‘The Dog Thief’ (Málaga Film Festival’s Golden Biznaga for Best Latin-American Film)

APRIL

Movie: ‘Project MKHEXE’ (found footage horror)

Foreign Movie: ‘On Becoming a Guinea Fowl’ (UK-Zambia child abuse dark comedy)

Doccie: ‘The Dark Money Game’ (USA double feature)

Award Winner: ‘To Kill a Mongolian Horse’ (Hong Kong IFF’s Firebird Award)

MAY

Movie: ‘The Surrender’ (drama horror)

Foreign Movie: ‘The Ugly Stepsister’ (Norway horredy)

Doccie: ‘The Gullspång Miracle’ (Sweden family mystery)

Award Winner: ‘Mad Bills to Pay’ (Jeonju IFF’s International Prize)

JUNE

Movie: ‘Deep Cover’ (old school British comedy)

Foreign Movie: ‘Sister Midnight’ (India comedy)

Doccie: ‘Ocean’ (David Attenborough is honourable mainstream)

Award Winner: ‘Happy Birthday’ (Tribecca Film Festival gave it 3 awards)

* IFF stands for International Film Festival