On Friday 6 June 2025, the second edition of The Catties (since its evolution from the Film Awards) took over Catalyst with its signature mix of celebration, unpredictability and creative fire. What began as a more traditional awards night focussed on film, it has since grown into a vibrant recognition of all our programmes – part awards ceremony, part creative showcase. This year’s awards recognised outstanding work across our music, film and acting programmes, highlighting the cross-pollination of disciplines that fuels our community.

Guiding us through the night were third-year acting students Aisha Kalymzhanova and Ilja van Ravels, whose sharp timing and magnetic stage presence kept the energy alive from start to finish. Both are soon to present original solo works at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival – Aisha with her satirical musical comedy Kazakh Princess Diaries, and Ilja with Down the Hole, a raw, physical exploration of queer identity and memory.

One of the night’s most moving moments came with the Spirit Award, presented to a Film Production student, Eliano Tonev, for quietly embodying the connective tissue of our creative ecosystem — lifting others up and making the invisible visible. 

Meanwhile, the legendary Golden Gorilla Award – a Catalyst classic and tribute to gorilla filmmaking and fearless experimentation – was awarded to a Creative Audio Production & Sound Engineering student Oracle Ollor for redefining the limits of form through bold and surprising work. Oracle's boundary-pushing work earned them a Certified Music Hackspace course of their choosing.

A celebration of collaboration, innovation and bold vision – made possible by our incredible partners.

In the School of Music & Sound, our Electronic Music Production & Performance student Ashley Maurice was awarded Outstanding Collaborator, sponsored by iMusician. Ashley received a one-year Amplify+ subscription in recognition of their commitment to creative synergy and community building.

Arsenii Zinukov from our Creative Audio Production programme took home Producer of the Year, with support from PlaylistSupply and Booking-Agent.io — earning a three-month subscription to both platforms for outstanding creativity and technical skill.

The Best Large-Scale Project award, sponsored by Music Hackspace, went to a Creative Audio Production & Sound Engineering student Lucas Waterbury, whose ambitious and technically refined work pushed the boundaries of production. The prize includes a one-year Going Deeper subscription.

In Music & Sound Design for Visual Media, Alisa Nedashkovska received Outstanding Achievement for interdisciplinary excellence and conceptual clarity. The prize, supported by KW Institute for Contemporary Art, includes an annual pass to KW.

The Outstanding Creative Vision award, presented to Nino Theys from our Electronic Music Production & Performance course, recognised a fearless approach to electronic music — blending innovation and originality in ways that inspire others. Sponsored by Music Hackspace, the prize includes a one-year Going Deeper subscription.

In the School of Film & Visual Media, the Screenwriter’s Evolution Award, sponsored by Celtx, was presented to Gabriel Lopez, celebrating growth, storytelling passion and a collaborative spirit. The prize includes a one-year Celtx software subscription and a swag bag of creative tools.

The Vision Award, supported by 25p Cine Support, went to the Film Production student Zoya Nur Zadkiel for their consistent creative leadership and ability to elevate those around them. The award includes a €500 equipment voucher and a 50% discount on further rental costs.

In Visual Effects, Digital Art and Animation, Viktorija (Leo) Andermane was honoured as Best Creator, earning access to the full course catalogue at The Node Institute for innovative, collaborative and technically exceptional work.

A handful of moments refused to play it safe – works that shifted tone, deepened questions or simply hit differently.

The Best Film award was shared between “Little Bird” by Lina Dziovenaite and “Those Who Left, Those Who Stayed” by Arezu Khanicheh. Both received the Catalyst Distribution Award, supporting future screenings and festival runs.

In the MA Creative Production (Music) programme, Agona Shporta received the New Directions Award, honouring a bold and thoughtful approach to artistic research.

In Acting, Felix Mangold won Best Actor for "Downward Spiral... The Benji's Mind Show", a performance noted for its emotional range and originality. The Charm, Vivacity, and All The Cheese In France took home Best Ensemble for their electric onstage chemistry and unified storytelling.

After the awards wrapped and the applause quieted, the night shifted into something more electric. The Pulse party transformed Funkhaus into a vibrant, multi-sensory playground — alive with sound, light, and movement — crafted and performed by the very artists who breathe life into Catalyst.

A highlight this year was the late-night dancefloor shaped by Alec and Tristan — their third year turning an ordinary classroom into Pulse’s signature heartbeat. Their space was raw, immersive, and buzzing with energy, a sanctuary where the night truly came alive.

That dance floor became home to unforgettable performances from Nino Theys, LUCKY4U & goldmund.99, Parallel Processing, and Ventral Vagal x Tamo. 

Earlier in the evening, the Theatre and Social Stage showcased sets by MALINA MALINA, Dusk Saffron, Stereo Hues, Dub Field, Dune Serrano Ambrozo, and Sonarium. Special guest SnSe, hailing from Santuri East Africa, closed the pre-midnight wave with a genre-defying, deeply resonant set.

Immersive installations wove throughout the night, with works like “Dissolution” by Leo & Nicolas Sales and “July 16, 1945. The Trinity Test” from the VFX, Digital Arts & Animation class adding layers of reflection and texture. Meanwhile, Catalyst Cinema offered a tightly curated lineup of student films — Al Vacio, HOLE, Crier au Loup, and Matter — each packed with emotional depth.

The Vinyl Market in Co-Mingle added another layer of creative expression and connection, with Catalyst DJs spinning into the late hours.

The Catties 2025 weren’t just about the accolades – they were a reminder that creativity is collaboration, that risk leads to resonance and that sometimes, dancing is just as essential as directing.

Congratulations to all the nominees, the winners, the behind-the-scenes fixers and the spark-throwers. You made it one for the books.

A heartfelt thank you to all our sponsors for supporting this year’s Catties and championing the bold, brilliant work of our creative community.