Maggie Kang & Chris Appelhans
All the awards: No piece of media had a bigger 2025 than Netflix’s most watched original film ever, KPop Demon Hunters. Co-directors Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans’ breakout hit about three demon-slaying pop stars collected every major industry award, from “Golden” becoming the first K-pop song to win a Grammy to the Oscar for Best Animated Feature.
Korean culture goes mainstream: The film even broke streaming containment with a sing-along theatrical release and fully brought the K-pop trend to the U.S. Its stars performed at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and McDonald’s created not one but two collaboration meals.
Watch this space: The authenticity and originality of Kang and Appelhans’ vision have landed the duo a long-term development deal with Netflix.
Mary Bronstein
Uncomfortable truth: The mainstream concept of motherhood got a reality check in 2025, led by Mary Bronstein’s comedy-drama (in the truly “if I weren’t laughing, I’d be crying” sense) If I Had Legs I’d Kick You. Unflinchingly honest about the stress put on mothers, Bronstein directed, wrote, and had a small part in the movie inspired by her own real-life experience caring for her medically complex child.
Back in the chair: If I Had Legs I’d Kick You is Bronstein’s first film as a director since 2008’s Yeast. It won a pile of awards for lead actress Rose Byrne, and was dubbed “Uncut Gems for moms” by Time magazine for its frenetic pace and cascading disasters (so a regular Tuesday for parents).
Quinn Katherman
ArtClass
