Girls Will Be Girls has made history by winning the John Cassavetes Award at the 2025 Film Independent Spirit Awards. The is the first-ever Indian film to receive the honour, an incredible milestone for Indian cinema at one of the most prestigious awards in the independent film world. The film also marks the debut of Richa Chadha and Ali Fazal as producers. Starring Kani Kusruti, Preeti Panigrahi, and Kesav Binoy Kiran, the film tells the 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. Alongside the film’s historic win, RichA Chadha made her own mark in history by becoming the first ever Indian actor and producer to win an Independent Spirit Award. This category of the award is given annually to the best film made on a budget of under $1 million.
