AWARD WINNERS OF WINTER SEASON 2026

The Award Winners of Winter Season 2026 at our prestigious indie film festival have truly set a new standard for cinematic excellence. These winners embody the spirit of creativity and passion that our festival proudly supports, promising a bright future for the world of film.

Mysterious Moments with Millie Mallory

Best Action / Crime

Mysti Smith

United States

The Teleprompter

Best Actress

Marley Rey (directed by James C. Velasquez)

United States

DON’T FORGET 4

Best Actor

Alexander Candlin (directed by David Motaze)

United Kingdom

VoidBorn

Best AI-Generated Film

Frank Bruno HOUBRE

France

Diplodocus

Best Animated Film

Wojtek Wawszczyk

Poland

Aching Earth

Best Australian Film

Barry Ferrier

Australia

Little Yellow Flower

Best Asian Film

Chien-Ping Lin

Taiwan

A Fire in Africa

Best African Film

Gerhard Uys

South Africa

Moisture

Best Cinematography

Duda Gorter

Brazil

Doug

Best Comedy Screenplay

Evan Neill

United States

Zombie House

Best Comedy

Jack Thompson

United States

EVERYTHING ALWAYS HAPPENS SO MUCH

Best Debut Filmmaker (Feature)

Richard Gonzales

United States

The Show Must Go On

Best Debut Filmmaker (Short)

Stefano Anania

United States

J.Williams “REMEMBRANCES” Trio “Classic Deluxe”

Best Director – Music Video

Natascha Akinschin

Germany

Zombie House

Best Director

Jack Thompson

United States

LIE TO ME

Best Documentary Feature

Bår Tyrmi

Norway

Water Ways

Best Documentary Short

Spencer Stander

United States

The Final Year

Best Drama Screenplay

Kristian James

United States

Tom and Luce

Best Drama

Muxel Paule

France

XING

Best Editing

Rosa Costanza

United States

Love Lives On

Best Ensemble Cast

Lenny Gatto

United States

DYNAMICS

Best Experimental Film

Teo Baehler

Netherlands

COLOMBANO & LA 21ESIMA FETTA

Best European Film

Paolo Pier Luigi Guglielmetti

Italy

Walkers

Best American Film

William Mesa

United States

IRISO

Best Feature Film

Mitsuo Kurihara

Japan

Io Corro – journey into the art of Luca Bray

Best Female Director

Barbara Zonzin

Italy

The Secret Notes

Best Feature Screenplay

Joni Ravenna, Joshua Townshend-Zellner, Kabin Thomas

United States

Zombie House

Best Production Design

Jack Thompson

United States

Sherlock Holmes and the Headless Bishop

Best Mobile Shot Film

Danna Wilberg

United States

Zombie House

Best Horror

Jack Thompson

United States

Indian Billy Ice

Best Historical / Period Film

Jerry Stephen Ice

United States

A Dance Story

Best Indie Feature (Low-budget)

Andoni Zorbas

United States

Temple Crimes

Best Indie Short

Ian John Dixon

Australia

Grandma’s Tale

Best Male Director

Chatdilok Sae-oueng

Thailand

You are too far

Best LGBTQ+ Film

Seiko Yamamoto

Japan

Who Did This?

Best Micro Short (Under 5 min)

Zhang Qu

China

Homesickness in Southern Anhui

Best Music Video

Yefeng

China

TOMMASA

Best Score / Soundtrack

Julie Casamonti

France

Rhythm of Light

Best Original Song in a Film

Billy Mandarino

United States

Pledge

Best Short Film

Kristian Iliev

Bulgaria

NORMAN: THE DOG WHO DIDN’T MEAN TO

Best Short Screenplay

Paul Millward

United Kingdom

The New Immigrants – Hong Kongers

Best Student Film

Vivian Tsang

United Kingdom

Charlot 1

Best Sound Design

Matias Guerra

Italy

1985

Best Super Short (Under 1 min)

Marko Marjanović

Croatia

Sugar Water

Best Thriller Screenplay

Noelani Mei Lee

United States

Coal In Their Veins

Best UK Film

Dalit Merhav

United Kingdom

GYRE

Best TV Pilot Script

Gina Lennox

Australia

I would like to feel

Best Visual Effects (VFX)

Marcin Rossa

Poland

Welcome to the Whimsical Desert! (Going Solo)

Best Web Series / Episodic

Heidi Elisabeth Appe

United States

Lucid

Best Student Screenplay

Ina Mertesacker

Germany

Father

Best Supporting Actor

Mehdi Djouad (directed by Gabriel Constantinescu)

Switzerland

TOMMASA

Best Romance

Julie Casamonti

France

The Lights

Best Thriller

Barnabus Walsh

United Kingdom

Halloween Aftermath

Best Supporting Actress

Celina Rescott (directed by James Grim)

United Kingdom