Filmmaker Shuchi Talati's coming-of-age drama Girls Will be Girls — starring Kani Kusruti, Preeti Panigrahi, and Kesav Binoy Kiron — has won the John Cassavetes Award at the 40th edition of the Independent Spirit Awards, which aim to honour independent filmmakers.
Backed by Pushing Buttons Studios, the production company of actors Richa Chadha and Ali Fazal, the film had competed in the category of independent films made under a budget of $1 million, alongside other entries such as Big Boys, Ghostlight, Jazzy and The People's Joker.
The directorial debut of Talati is an Indo-French co-production that also marked the acting debut of Panigrahi and Kiron. Following its premiere at last year's Sundance Film Festival, where it fetched two awards for Talati's direction and Panigrahi's performance, the film made its streaming premiere on Amazon Prime Video on December 18, 2024.
THE WEEK's review of the film called it a bold coming-of-age tale that's poignant, layered and effective.
On winning the John Cassavetes award, Chadha said it was "humbling" to see the film "recognised on such a grand stage," adding that "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."
In a statement, Talati said the film was a "labour of love" and that the award is "more than just an award, for me, it is a powerful affirmation of the story we set out to tell... to have it resonate with audiences and critics alike is beyond amazing."
Among the actors nominated are Kani Kusruti, in the best supporting performance category alongside Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain), Adam Pearson (A Different Man), Clarence Maclin (Sing Sing), and Karren Karagulian (Anora), among others. Culkin took home the prize.