Richa Chadha and Ali Fazal’s film Girls Will Be Girls has scripted history at the 2025 Film Independent Spirit Awards. The coming-of-age film won 🗹the coveted John Cassavetes Award. With this, it became the first-ever Indian film to receive the honour at the prestigious award show. It is also an incredible milestone for Indian cinema to get such recogniti𒊎on in the independent film world.
For the unversed, John Cassavetes Award is given annually to the best film made on a budget of under $1 million. This big win was the moment of pride for the film's team and the cas🌞t.
Directed and written by Shuchi Talati, Girls Will Be Girls marks Richa and Ali's debut as producers under their production banne🐲r, Pushing Buttons Studios. The film was highly praised in several film festivals. It premiered on Prime Video India on Decembꦰer 18, 2024, and was raved by critics, audiences, and celebs. It can be said one of the best films of 2024.
Sharing her excitement, Richa Chadha said that the win felt like a ''dream'' and she is proud of what they have created with Girls Will Be Girls. ''This film represents not just a personal journey, but a collective effort of a team that believed in its voice. To see it recognized on such a grand stage is humbling. As the first Indian actor and producer to win an Independent Spirit Award, I feel like this is not just my victory, but a victory for all of us working to make diverse, authentic stories,'🌄' she added.
Ali Fazal called the win ''momentous'' for everyone and also for Indian cinema as a whole. He further said, ''The spirit of independen💟t filmmaking is about taking risks and telling the truth, no matter how uncomfortable or challenging that may be. Girls Will Be Girls does exactly that. I am proud to be part of a film that is pushing boundarieꦕs and making history.”
Shuchi Talati, while expressing her gratitude, shared, “This is more than just an award for me – it is a powerful affirmation of the story we set out to tell. It was a labor of love, and to have it resonate with audiences and critics alike is beyond amazing. I am also glad Richa and my friendship has culminated in this artistic 𝓰way.
"We are beyond thrilled and humbled to receive this incredible honor," added Talati. "This film was a labor of love, and to see it being recognized on such a prestigious platform is a dream ﷺcome true, especially since the cinema of John Cassavetes is something that resonates with me. This win is for the entire team who believed in this story and for all the women and girls whose v♏oices are waiting to be heard,'' she said.
Girls Will Be Girls starred K🐬ani Kusruti, Preeti Panigrahi, a🍰nd Kesav Binoy Kiran in key roles.
