'Girls Will Be Girls' Becomes 1st Indian Film To Win John Cassavetes Award

Girls Will Be Girls (2024), directed by Shuchi Talati, made history by winning India's first John Cassavetes Award at the 2025 Film Independent Spirit Awards. Starring Preeti Panigrahi and Kani Kasruti in the lead, the coming-of-age drama is the maiden production for Richa Chadha and Ali Fazal. Talati expressed her gratitude, saying, “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 labour 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 way."

Girls Will Be Girls is the story of Mira, a teenager navigating young romance, self-expression, academic expectations and rebellion. The story also explores her realistic and beautiful relationship with her mother, Anila. But do not conceive the film as a cliché, as there is a riveting and layered storyline waiting to unfold.  

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Girls Will Be Girls (@girlswillbegirls_themovie)

Girls Will Be Girls Wins Big

Sharing her excitement about the win, Richa Chadha shared, “This win feels like a dream. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve 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.”

Girls Will Be Girls also won the Grand Jury Prizes at the Indian Film Festival, Los Angeles, and Transylvania International Film Festival. At the Sundance Film Festival 2024 in Utah, the film and actress Preeti Panigrahi each won an award. Girls Will Be Girls won the Audience Award in the 'World Dramatic Feature' category, while Panigrahi won the Special Jury Award for Acting. The film also gained recognition at the Biarritz Film Festival in France.

In an introduction video posted on Sundance Institute's YouTube channel, director Suchi Talati shared her elation in being part of the few films selected for the festival and being able to take her Indian roots to the global stage. "It is heartening to see your film shot and conceptualised in India make it to this mammoth international festival," she expressed.