NEED TO KNOW
Sydney Sweeney picked up an accolade for her latest big-screen transformation.
At the 2025 Hamptons International Film Festival (HIFF) on Saturday, Oct. 4, the star accepted the festival’s Achievement in Acting award for Christy, in which she portrays real-life boxer Christy Martin.
During a post-screening Q&A, Sweeney, 28, spoke with HIFF Chief Creative Officer David Nugent about her performance, including how Martin, now 57, was “very involved” in production and often on set.
“She kind of became my best friend. Having her with us was a really powerful experience,” Sweeney said onstage inside East Hampton Middle School.
“I’ve never had the person who I’m portraying watch me. You’re never really sure what they’re thinking,” she said. “But as it went on, I just wanted her there the entire time because I was able to study her and listen to her and have her thoughts and opinions there whenever I needed.”
Sonia Moskowitz/Getty
Added Sweeney, “I try to lose myself completely for a role, so I try not to carry any of my own stuff into their life. But I honestly learned so much from Christy that I applied to myself.”
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Sweeney also detailed her physical transformation, sharing that she grew up kickboxing and grappling from ages 12 to 19. The actress, who was born in Spokane, Wash., and raised in Idaho, proudly told the audience, “I was the only girl at the dojo.”
With three months to prepare for filming, Sweeney explained, “Every morning I would weight train for an hour, then I would go and do boxing for three hours, and then another hour of weight training at night. I did that every single day for three months, with a nutritionist, so eating a bunch of food and protein shakes and supplements. I, in that span of time, gained, like, 35 lbs.”
Christy also covers themes of domestic violence, and Sweeney said the cast and crew understood “the weight of the story that we’re telling and the importance for not just Christy but so many other people who are watching this film.”
She added, “I really hope that people watch this and they share it with others.”
Directed by David Michôd, Christy also stars Ben Foster, Merritt Wever, Katy O’Brian, Ethan Embry, Jess Gabor, Chad Coleman, Bryan Hibbard, Tony Cavalero and Gilbert Cruz.
“Christy Martin never imagined life beyond her small-town roots in West Virginia — until she discovered a knack for punching people,” reads a synopsis. “Fueled by grit, raw determination and an unshakable desire to win, she charges into the world of boxing under the guidance of her trainer and manager-turned-husband, Jim (Foster).”
The synopsis adds, “But while Christy flaunts a fiery persona in the ring, her toughest battles unfold outside it — confronting family, identity and a relationship that just might become life-or-death.”
Courtesy of TIFF
In addition to the upcoming third season of Euphoria, Sweeney also stars in the thriller The Housemaid with Amanda Seyfried, in theaters Dec. 19.
Other awards set to be given out at this year’s Hamptons International Film Festival include: UBS Breakthrough Performer for Kiss of the Spider Woman star Tonatiuh; UBS Breakthrough Director for Sorry, Baby writer-director-star Eva Victor; and Achievement in Casting for Kiss of the Spider Woman’s Bernard Telsey.
Christy is in theaters Nov. 7.
