2025 SDSA Awards: Celebrating Excellence in Set Decoration

The Set Decorators Society of America (SDSA) held its 2025 awards ceremony on Saturday, recognizing outstanding achievements in set decoration across various film categories. The event highlighted Paul Thomas Anderson's film *One Battle After Another*, which won the prestigious Best Picture award, alongside accolades for Best Achievement in Décor/Design of a Contemporary Feature Film. The film's set decoration was crafted by Anthony Carlino, with production design by Florencia Martin.

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Other notable winners included Focus Features' *Hamnet*, which secured the award for Best Achievement in Décor/Design of a Period Feature Film, and Guillermo del Toro's *Frankenstein*, which won in the Fantasy or Science Fiction category. Additionally, *Wicked: For Good*, the sequel to the Broadway adaptation, received the award for Best Achievement in Décor/Design of a Comedy or Musical Feature Film.

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The SDSA Awards recognized several films in various categories:

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• Best Picture: *One Battle After Another*

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• Set Decoration: Anthony Carlino

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• Production Design: Florencia Martin

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• Best Achievement in Décor/Design of a Contemporary Feature Film: *One Battle After Another*

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• Best Achievement in Décor/Design of a Period Feature Film: *Hamnet*

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• Set Decoration: Alice Felton

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• Production Design: Fiona Crombie

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• Best Achievement in Décor/Design of a Fantasy or Science Fiction Film: *Frankenstein*

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• Set Decoration: Shane Vieau

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• Production Design: Tamara Deverell

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• Best Achievement in Décor/Design of a Comedy or Musical Feature Film: *Wicked: For Good*

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• Set Decoration: Lee Sandales

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• Production Design: Nathan Crowley

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Since their inception in 2020, the SDSA Awards have gained recognition for their ability to predict Academy Award outcomes, with winners in the production design category often going on to win Oscars. The SDSA has introduced the Best Picture category in recent years, further enhancing its relevance in the film industry.

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The SDSA continues to celebrate the artistry of set decoration, emphasizing its importance in storytelling within film. The organization noted that the awards serve to honor the creative contributions of set decorators and production designers, who play a crucial role in bringing cinematic visions to life.

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While the SDSA Awards have been well-received, some critics argue that the focus on set decoration may overshadow other vital aspects of filmmaking, such as direction and screenplay. However, supporters contend that set design is integral to the overall cinematic experience.

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The Art Directors Guild will hold its 30th anniversary Excellence in Production Design Awards on February 28, further spotlighting the contributions of production designers in the film industry.

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The SDSA Awards not only recognize individual achievements but also highlight the collaborative nature of filmmaking, showcasing the essential role of set decoration in creating immersive cinematic worlds.

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