Richa Chadha and Ali Fazal’s Girls Will Be Girls becomes the first Indian film to win John Cassavetes Award at the 2025 Spirit Awards

Girls will be girls represents India

India’s Girls Will Be Girls has achieved a historic milestone by winning the prestigious John Cassavetes Award at the 2025 Film Independent Spirit Awards, becoming the first Indian film to ever secure the honour. The film won in the category for the best film made on a budget under $1 million, beating out a strong field of competitors. This victory highlights the increasing global recognition of Indian cinema at one of the most respected independent film awards.

Directed and written by Shuchi Talati, Girls Will Be Girls also marks the debut of actors Richa Chadha and Ali Fazal as producers through their banner, Pushing Buttons Studios. The film, which premiered on Prime Video India on December 18, 2024, has received widespread acclaim for its powerful depiction of adolescence, identity, and familial conflict. The story centres on Mira, a young girl at a strict boarding school in the Himalayas, navigating her sexual awakening and desires while dealing with her mother’s unfulfilled coming-of-age experience.

Richa Chadha, visibly thrilled, expressed her pride, 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 recognised 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.”

Ali Fazal echoed her sentiments, 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.”

Shuchi Talati also expressed her gratitude, calling the award an affirmation of the film’s vision and its impact on audiences and critics alike.