WINNERS Top Independent Directors and Screenwriters Awards 2026

TWO FATES – A True-Story

By Lori Lee Peters

BEST INTERNATIONAL INDIE SCREENWRITER (Category: Biographical Script) 2026 & BEST ORIGINAL WRITING STYLE

Brothers of Babylon

By Gabriel Womack

BEST SCREENWRITER OF THE YEAR (Category: Global Feature Script), BEST SCREENPLAY 2026 & BEST VISIONARY STORYTELLER

Bad Influence/ Mauvaise Influence

By Aurélie Latona

BEST ARTHOUSE INDIE DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR, BEST VISIONARY SUPER SHORT FILM 2026, BEST EDITING & BEST SCREENPLAY SHORT & BEST GLOBAL SUPER SHORT FILM 2026

Malibu and Roxie – A Story of Second Chances

By Camy De Mario

BEST GLOBAL ANIMATED SHORT FILM, BEST SCREENPLAY SHORT & BEST ARTHOUSE MOVIEMAKER (Category: Animation)

Precious the baby dragon

By Dr Dawn Menge

BEST ORIGINAL BOOK 2026 & BEST ARTHOUSE WRITER 2026

The James Crow Hotel

By Terri Battee

BEST INTERNATIONAL SCRIPT (Category: Crime Fiction) & BEST ARTHOUSE SCREENWRITER (Category: Thriller)

Michelangelo and Me + Da Vinci and Me opener

By Colleen Shannon

BEST ORIGINAL PILOT TV & BEST SCREENWRITER 2026 (Category: Indie Television Script)

Colombano e la 21esima Fetta

By Paolo Pier Luigi Guglielmetti

BEST INTERNATIONAL ARTHOUSE FILM 2026, BEST EUROPEAN SCREENPLAY & BEST ORIGINAL INDIE DIRECTOR

Tipping Point

By L. Scooter Morris

BEST INTERNATIONAL SUPER SHORT FILM 2026, BEST ORIGINAL ART FILM, BEST HUMAN RIGHTS SHORT FILM & BEST EXPERIMENTAL EDITING 

In 2 Minds

By Fabia Cerra

BEST VISIORNARY WRITER (Category: Original Book) & BEST STORYTELLER

Disclosure from a Cloakroom

By Carol Dorn

BEST INTERNATIONAL INDIE FEATURE SCRIPT 2026, BEST ORIGINAL SCREENWRITER & BEST STORYTELLING

Out of control

By Bellopropello

BEST INDIE FILMMAKER 2026, BEST ANIMATED SHORT 2026 & BEST INDIE STORYTELLER

Bellatrix

By Jacek Krawczyk

BEST NARRATIVE SHORT 2026, BEST DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR, BEST SOUNDTRACK, BEST CAST, BEST ACTING, BEST CINEMATOGRAPHER & Screenplay (Category: Narrative Short)

Plandemic: Tribunal

By Chris Ross Leong

BEST AMERICAN FEATURE SCRIPT 2026, BEST ORIGINAL IDEA & BEST VISIONARY SCREENWRITER 2026

Final Orders

By Nathan Benham

BEST INDIE SHORT FILM 2026, BEST DIRECTOR & BEST EDITING (Category: Arthouse Narrative Short Film)

Primordial

By Nana Papadaki

BEST INTERNATIONAL EXPERIMENTAL FILM 2026, BEST ORIGINAL DIRECTOR, BEST SOUND & BEST INDIE CINEMATOGRAPHER (Category: Arthouse Experimental Film)

Seasoning of The Soul

By Charli Brown

BEST ARTHOUSE NARRATIVE SHORT, BEST CAMERA OPERATOR & BEST ORIGINAL INDIE CINEMATOGRAPHER 2026

Amen-Amen-Amen: A Story of Our Times

By Tom Gallagher

BEST INDIE DOCUMENTARY FEATURE, BEST DIRECTOR, BEST CAMERA OPERATOR & BEST STORYTELLING (Category: Arthouse Documentary Feature)

The Armchair Travellers

By Patricia Planck

BEST INTERNATIONAL VISIONARY INDIE WRITER 2026 & BEST INTERNATIONAL FANTASY SCRIPT

The Giant

By Kevin B Ploth

BEST GLOBAL TELEVISION SCRIPT 2026, BEST INDIE SCREENWRITER & BEST ORIGINAL THRILLER/CRIME SCRIPT OF THE YEAR

Scachs d’Amor

By Daniel Arreola

BEST INDIE SCREENWRITER 2026 (Category: Short Script 2026) & BEST ROMANCE SCRIPT

Ashes of Freedom

By Daniel Arreola

BEST INTERNATIONAL ARTHOUSE SCRIPT, BEST INDIE WRITER, BEST HUMAN RIGHTS SHORT SCRIPT & BEST ORIGINAL IDEA 2026

Belles paroles

By Mohamed Ouaddah

BEST SOCIAL PROJECT 2026 & BEST INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS SCREENWRITER

The Dead Ringer

By Suzanne Lutas

BEST SCREENPLAY 2026, BEST INTERNATIONAL VISIONARY SCREENWRITER & BEST ORIGINAL INDIE FEATURE SCRIPT

Doctor Hyphoteses

By Vicentini Gomez

BEST ARTHOUSE INDIE SCREENPLAY 2026, BEST INTERNATIONAL INDIE SCREENWRITER & BEST ORIGINAL ACTING OF THE YEAR

Kev Franzi – Works 80 Years in the Film Industry HD

By Dianne Lang

BEST INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARY SHORT 2026, BEST ARTHOUSE EDITING & BEST FILMMAKER OF THE YEAR (Category: International Documentary Short)

Novice

By Vincenzo Amoruso

BEST ARTHOUSE ACTOR 2026 & BEST VISIONARY ACTING

Your Father, who sees in secret

By Danilo Del Tufo

BEST EXPERIMENTAL FILMMAKER, BEST EUROPEAN SHORT FILM & BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

Hito

By Danilo Del Tufo

BEST ORIGINAL SHORT FILM 2026, BEST INDIE PRODUCER & BEST EUROPEAN DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR

Fractures In Time

By Lesley Ann Albiston

BEST PSYCHOLOGICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE CHARACTERS, BEST INTERNATIONAL FEATURE SCRIPT OF THE YEAR & BEST INDIE SCREENWRITER 2026

The Stones of Rome

By Sean Gregory Tansey

BEST VIDEO POETRY & BEST HISTORICAL SHORT FILM

The Pathos of Hamlet

By Sean Gregory Tansey

BEST INDIE ACTOR, BEST EXPERIMENTAL INDIE SHORT & BEST INSPIRATIONAL FILMMAKER

The New Immigrant- Hong Kongers

By Vivian Tsang

BEST INTERNATIONAL FIRST TIME DIRECTOR 2026, BEST YOUNG PRODUCER, BEST ORIGINAL EDITING & BEST INTERNATIONAL INDIE DOCUMENTARY

Pints With Kelly

By Stephen Kelly

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE 2026, BEST ORIGINAL EDITING & BEST INDIE FILMMAKER OF THE YEAR

Mikey Blue Eyes

By Stephen Kelly

BEST ORIGINAL SHORT SCRIPT & BEST GLOBAL SCREENWRITER (Category: Short Script)

Eyesolation

By Damiano Rossi

BEST ARTHOUSE EXPERIMENTAL CINEMATOGRAPHER & BEST EUROPEAN ART FILM 2026

Cock Robin

By Frances Barth

BEST ORIGINAL WRITING STYLE, BEST INTERNATIONAL COMEDY 2026 & BEST SCREENPLAY (Category: Indie Comedy)

AMERICA BOXED IN

By Ian S. Williams & Casey Williams

BEST GLOBAL DOCUMENTARY FEATURE OF THE YEAR, BEST DIRECTOR 2026 & BEST EDITING (Category: International Indie Documentary Feature)

A Rescues Song

By Tommy Anderson & Sherry Severs

BEST ARTHOUSE ANIMATED SHORT FILM 2026 & BEST INDIE NARRATIVE SHORT FILM

Looking for inspiration / Poszukiwanie inspiracji

By Michał Kucharski

BEST INTERNATIONAL ANIMATED SHORT FILM 2026, BEST INTERNATIONAL FILMMAKER & BEST ORIGINAL IDEA 

An Ever After Drama

By Michelle Lynn

BEST NARRATIVE SHORT FILM 2026, BEST DIRECTOR 2026, BEST INTERNATIONAL ACTRESS, BEST SCREENPLAY SHORT & BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

Whispers of Love

By Michelle Lynn

BEST ORIGINAL FEATURE SCRIPT OF THE YEAR

Behind The Algorithm

By Michelle Lynn

BEST AMERICAN SCREENPLAY 2026 & BEST INDIE STORY

Lucky in Long Island

By Michelle Lynn

BEST ORIGINAL SONG WRITER 2026 & BEST SOUND DESIGNER

Cassandra Venice

By Hugo Teugels

BEST ORIGINAL INDIE MOVIEMAKER, BEST ARTHOUSE CINEMATOGRAPHER, BEST COSTUME DESIGNER & BEST EUROPEAN INDIE PRODUCER 2026

Hot Afternoons Have Been in Montana

By Ken Kimmelman

BEST EXPERIMENTAL FILM DIRECTOR 2026, BEST EXPERIMENTAL FILM, BEST AMERICAN PRODUCER & BEST CINEMATOGRAPHER

The Great Animal Escape

Theme Song Based on the book by Linda Harkey Music & Lyrics by Zachary Simpson

Performed by Erin Rementer | Studio Story Monsters®

BEST INTERNATIONAL SONG OF THE YEAR & BEST SOUND DESIGNER

Staycation

By Russell Emanuel

BEST ORIGINAL NARRATIVE FEATURE 2026, BEST INTERNATIONAL DIRECTOR, BEST SCREENPLAY (Category: Narrative Feature), BEST CAST, BEST SOUNDTACK, BEST EDITING, BEST CINEMATOGRAPHER & BEST INDIE PRODUCTION COMPANY

American Money

By Timothy A McGhee

BEST INTERNATIONAL ARTHOUSE SCREENWRITER, BEST INTERNATIONAL ARTHOUSE FEATURE SCRIPT 2026 & BEST ORIGINAL WRITING STYLE (Category: Feature Script)

Precious the baby dragon

By Dawn Menge

BEST INTERNATIONAL BOOK OF THE YEAR & BEST INTERNATIONAL INDIE WRITER 2026

Stalker Hair Twirl

By Faye Fayerman

BEST ARTHOUSE EXPERIMENTAL DIRECTOR, BEST EDITING, BEST ART SHORT FILM & BEST SOUND

Pretty Little Lucy

By David Williamson

BEST GLOBAL FEATURE SCRIPT 2026, BEST ORIGINAL SCREENWRITER & BEST INTERNATIONAL WRITING SYLE (Category: Feature Script)

“Only You Can Save Her,” pilot teleplay of series THE BOY WHO EARNED HIS MAGIC

By Lynn Elliott

BEST ORIGINAL PILOT TV OF THE YEAR & BEST PSYCHOLOGICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE CHARACTERS (Category: Television Script)

Pirandello’s Wife

By Lynn Elliott

BEST INTERNATIONAL BIOGRAPHICAL SCRIPT 2026 & BEST INDIE WRITER (Category: Drama Script)

Alta California

By Lynn Elliott

BEST AMERICAN FEATURE SCRIPT, BEST HISTORICAL FEATURE SCRIPT 2026 & BEST ORIGINAL CINEMATIC VISION (Category: Indie Feature Script)

The Aesthetics of Failure

By Lena Mattsson

BEST INTERNATIONAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR & BEST INTERNATIONAL FILMMAKER (Category: European Art Film)

The Beauty in a Restless Mind

By Lena Mattsson

BEST GLOBAL SPIRITUAL SHORT FILM 2026

Not Without Gloves

By Lena Mattsson

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY & BEST INSPIRATIONAL PROJECT

The Rorschach Test

By Lena Mattsson

BEST BLACK & WHITE CINEMATOGRAPHY & BEST ARTHOUSE MOVIEMAKER

Tramóia

By Gleison Castro

BEST GLOBAL SCREENPLAY SHORT & BEST OROGINAL IDEA (Category: Short Script)

Nossos Caminhos (Our Paths)

By Carla Di Bonito

BEST DRAMA SCRIPT 2026, BEST SOCIAL SCRIPT & BEST INERNATIONAL INDIE SCREENWRITER

The Duchess

By C. Arnold Curry

BEST DRAMA OF THE YEAR, BEST INTERNATIONAL ARTHOUSE SCREENWRITER & BEST CAST 2026

The Singing Detective

By Gary St Martin

BEST INDIE TV PILOT

WINNERS Vietnam International Movie Awards 2026

The Novice

By Vincenzo Amoruso

BEST INTERNATIONAL YOUNG ACTOR OF THE YEAR & BEST EUROPEAN SHORT FILM 2026

Precious the baby dragon

By Dr Dawn Menge

BEST INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS BOOK 2026 & BEST ARTHOUSE WRITER 2026

Pretty Little Lucy

By David Williamson

BEST GLOBAL SCREENWRITER (Category: Feature Script), BEST SCREENPLAY 2026 & BEST EXPERIMENTAL WRITING STYLE

The New Immigrants- Hong Kongers

By Vivian Tsang

BEST GLOBAL YOUNG DIRECTOR 2026, BEST ARTHOUSE CINEMATOGRAPHER, BEST FIRST TIME DIRECTOR & BEST ORIGINAL EDITING

Eyesolation

By Damiano Rossi

BEST HUMAN RIGHS SHORT FILM 2026, BEST POETRY FILM & BEST NEW VISION (Category: Experimental Director)

Staycation

By Russell Emanuel

BEST INDIE FILM OF THE YEAR, BEST INTERNATIONAL DIRECTOR, (Category: NARRATIVE FEATURE), BEST VISIONARY SCREENPLAY, BEST EDITING, BEST CAST (Category: Film), BEST ACTING & BEST CINEMATOGRAPHER

Hot Afternoons Have Been in Montana

By Ken Kimmelman

BEST EXPERIMENTAL DIRECTOR, BEST EXPERIMENTAL FILM, BEST INDIE EDITOR & BEST ORIGINAL CAMERA OPERATOR (Category: Experimental Film)

Hito

By Danilo Del Tufo

BEST ORIGINAL SHORT FILM 2026, BEST INDIE PRODUCER & BEST EUROPEAN DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR

Kev Franzi – Works 80 Years in the Film Industry HD

By Dianne Lang

BEST INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARY SHORT 2026, BEST VISIONARY EDITING & BEST FILMMAKER OF THE YEAR (Category: International Documentary Short)

American Money

By Timothy A McGhee

BEST ORIGINAL INDIE SCREENPLAY 2026, BEST SCREENWRITER & BEST ORIGINAL CINEMATIC VISION (Category: Feature Script)

Am I a painter?/Czy jestem malarzem?

By Michał Kucharski

BEST INTERNATIONAL DIRECTOR, BEST STORYTELLING, BEST SCREENPLAY SHORT (Category: Animation) & BEST ARTHOUSE ANIMATED SHORT FILM 2026

The Dead Ringer

By Suzanne Lutas

BEST INTERNATIONAL FEATURE SCRIPT, BEST INDIE WRITER & BEST ARTHOUSE SCREENPLAY 2026

The Duchess

By C. Arnold Curry

BEST INTERNATIONAL INDIE DRAMA 2026, BEST INDIE FILMMAKER, BEST ACTOR, BEST ACTRESS & BEST ORIGINAL IDEA (Category: International Drama)

I Waited for You

By Jennifer Glee

BEST VISIONARY DIRECTOR 2026, BEST EXPERIMENTAL CINEMATOGRAPHY, BEST ORIGINAL STORY & BEST EDITOR (Category: Experimental)

Pirandello’s Wife

By Lynn Elliott

BEST INTERNATIONAL BIOGRAPHICAL SCRIPT 2026 & BEST WRITER (Category: Drama Script)

Alta California

By Lynn Elliott

BEST HISTORICAL FEATURE SCRIPT 2026 & BEST ORIGINAL STORYTELLING

Once There Were Stories

By Lynn Elliott

BEST AMERICAN FEATURE SCRIPT 2026 & BEST INDIE WRITER

My Hollywood Circus

By Roger Paradiso

BEST INTERNATIONAL INDIE BOOK 2026 & BEST WRITING STYLE

The Dragonfly Dreaming Project

By Angelena Bonet

BEST ORIGINAL DOCUMENTARY SHORT & BEST INTERNATIONAL INDIE FILMMAKER 2026