After Party: Festival Winner for Best Romantic Short

Celia Carver’s romantic short film ‘After Party‘ earned well-deserved acclaim at the Houston Comedy Film Festival 2025, where it took home the award for Best Romantic Film. The festival celebrated Carver’s impressive debut as an executive producer, writer, and lead actress playing the wife, opposite Jasper as her husband, Gabe. Her authentic storytelling and strong onscreen chemistry helped ‘After Party‘ stand out among the festival’s diverse slate of independent films.

Accepting her award, Carver expressed heartfelt thanks to her cast, crew, and the festival community for their support. She reflected on the challenges of balancing multiple creative roles while championing diversity and simplicity in her production approach. Carver specifically credited her collaboration with director Shana Lauren McInnes and actor Jasper for bringing depth and warmth to the project, underscoring how important trusted partnerships are for new filmmakers.

Her acceptance speech also resonated with the festival audience as she shared advice about perseverance, fairness, and casting open-mindedly. Carver encouraged emerging creatives to focus on strong storytelling, foster inclusive teams, and stay adaptable through the inevitable challenges of filmmaking. Her victory not only marks a major milestone but also highlights the potential of bold, thoughtful voices in the indie romantic comedy space.

Overall, Celia Carver’s award at the Houston Comedy Film Festival is a testament to her vision and dedication. It signifies the rising prominence of new talent willing to lead with authenticity and heart. With After Party’s success, audiences and peers alike eagerly anticipate her future projects, expecting more engaging stories told with her fresh perspective and heartfelt humor.