Shuchi Talati, left, and Richa Chadha accept the John Cassavetes award for “Girls Will Be Girls” during the Film Independent Spirit Awards on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, in Santa Monica, Calif.
| Photo Credit: Chris Pizzello
Richa Chadha and Ali Fazal’s debut film production, Girls Will Be Girls, won the prestigious John Cassavetes Award at the 2025 Independent Spirit Awards on Saturday. This makes director Shuchi Talati’s film the first-ever Indian film to receive the honour.
The John Cassavetes Award is given annually to the best film made on a budget of under $1 million. The announcement of the win was one of the biggest moments of the night, alongside other major category winners including Anora and Jesse Eisenberg’s A Real Pain.
The Independent Spirit Awards ceremony is renowned for celebrating independent filmmaking. Girls Will Be Girls, which premiered on Prime Video India on December 18, 2024, has received critical acclaim for its women-led coming-of-age narrative.
Starring Kani Kusruti, Preeti Panigrahi, and Kesav Binoy Kiran, the film tells the poignant story of Mira, a young girl at a strict boarding school nestled in the Himalayas. “As Mira navigates her sexual awakening and explores desire and romance, her journey is interrupted by her mother, who never had the chance to experience a similar coming-of-age journey,” reads the logline.
In a statement, Chadha shared her excitement, saying, “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.”
Fazal echoed his co-producer’s sentiment, adding, “This win is a momentous one for us and for Indian cinema as a whole. The spirit of independent 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 boundaries and making history.”
Talati also 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.”
Shuchi Talati and Richa Chadha pose with the John Cassavetes Award for “Girls Will Be Girls” during the 40th Film Independent Spirit Awards in Santa Monica, California, U.S., February 22, 2025.
| Photo Credit:
Daniel Cole
“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 come true, especially since the cinema of John Cassavete 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 voices are waiting to be heard.”
Girls Will Be Girls is produced by Chadha and Fazal’s joint venture Pushing Buttons Studios, in collaboration with Blink Digital and Dolce Vita Films.
Published – February 23, 2025 12:29 pm IST
