Vazhiye Indie Film Fest 2026 Winners: The winners of the third season of the Vazhiye Indie Film Fest have been announced, celebrating outstanding achievements in independent filmmaking, screenwriting, literature and creative storytelling. The international festival recognised talented filmmakers, writers and authors from the United States, the United Kingdom and Spain across 12 award categories.
The American film Of Who We Were, directed by Timothy Myrick, secured the Best Film award, while Spain’s The Chocolate, directed by Michael Ringdal, received the Best Mobile Phone Film honour. The festival also recognised exceptional contributions to screenplay writing and literature, with Gini Graham Scott and Paul Hodgson emerging as multiple-award winners.
Vazhiye Indie Film Fest 2026 – Complete Winners List
The third edition of the festival featured awards covering independent cinema, mobile filmmaking, trailers, screenplays, novels and literary works.
| Award Category | Winner | Winning Work |
|---|---|---|
| Best Film | Timothy Myrick | Of Who We Were |
| Best Mobile Phone Film | Michael Ringdal | The Chocolate |
| Best Trailer | Molly Vernon | I/O |
| Best Crime Thriller Screenplay | Michael Williams | Heartstone |
| Best Social Thriller Screenplay | Gini Graham Scott | The Healer |
| Best Science Fiction Screenplay | Gini Graham Scott | Of Mice and Humans |
| Best Social Drama Screenplay | Gini Graham Scott | Sweet Revenge |
| Best Novel | Paul Hodgson | John’s Journey |
| Best History Book | Paul Hodgson | Beneath the Gallowgate Sky |
| Best Sports History Book | Paul Hodgson | Forever Boro |
| Best Crime Fiction Book | Paul Hodgson | Ryker Part One |
| Best Original Story | Jose Miguel Soriano | Ñuñuyachiy |
Of Who We Were Wins Best Film Award
The American independent film Of Who We Were, directed by Timothy Myrick, was selected as the Best Film at Vazhiye Indie Film Fest 2026.
Spanish filmmaker Michael Ringdal received the Best Mobile Phone Film award for The Chocolate, highlighting the festival’s recognition of filmmaking beyond conventional production formats.
Molly Vernon also earned recognition for I/O, which secured the Best Trailer award.
These selections reflect the festival’s commitment to acknowledging different approaches to independent visual storytelling.
Gini Graham Scott Wins Three Screenwriting Awards
American writer Gini Graham Scott was among the major winners of the third season, receiving three screenplay awards across different genres.
Her screenplay The Healer won Best Social Thriller Screenplay, while Of Mice and Humans received Best Science Fiction Screenplay.
Scott also secured Best Social Drama Screenplay for Sweet Revenge.
Meanwhile, Michael Williams from the United States won Best Crime Thriller Screenplay for Heartstone.
The screenplay awards recognise creative writing across crime, science fiction, social drama and thriller storytelling.
British Author Paul Hodgson Secures Four Literary Awards
British author Paul Hodgson emerged as the festival’s most awarded individual in the announced results, winning four literary categories.
His novel John’s Journey received the Best Novel award, while Beneath the Gallowgate Sky was recognised as Best History Book.
Forever Boro secured Best Sports History Book, and Ryker Part One won Best Crime Fiction Book.
Spain’s Jose Miguel Soriano completed the literary winners list by receiving the Best Original Story award for Ñuñuyachiy.
About Vazhiye Indie Film Fest and Casablanca Film Factory
Vazhiye Indie Film Fest is an IMDb-qualified annual international film festival established by Casablanca Film Factory to encourage and support independent filmmaking and creative storytelling.
The festival was founded following the success of Casablanca Film Factory’s first feature film, Vazhiye. Its objective is to provide recognition for independent filmmakers and creative professionals from different countries.
Filmmaker Nirmal Baby Varghese, CEO of Casablanca Film Factory, serves as the festival director.
Over three seasons, the festival has developed a platform recognising independent films alongside screenplays, novels, original stories and other literary contributions.
International Recognition for Independent Creative Talent
The 2026 winners demonstrate the festival’s international scope, with award recipients representing the United States, the United Kingdom and Spain.
By recognising both filmmaking and written storytelling, Vazhiye Indie Film Fest continues to highlight creative contributions across multiple formats.
The third season’s results place particular emphasis on independent filmmaking, genre-based screenwriting and literary achievements, reinforcing the festival’s stated mission of supporting independent creators worldwide.
