Other Standout Winners of April-May 2026 at Independent Shorts Awards
From social realism and absurd comedy to psychological drama, this season’s Awards of Excellence honor three outstanding achievements in independent short filmmaking.
Author: Independent Shorts Awards
Los Angeles International Short Film Festival
Short Script Competition of April-May 2026
Five exceptional screenplays are recognized for their cinematic ambition, emotional depth, and outstanding storytelling.
April-May 2026 Award Winners
Independent Shorts Awards is proud to announce the award winners for April-May 2026. This month’s selections were chosen from a
April-May 2026: The Nominees for Best Short of the Season (Special Jury Awards)
Learn more about the 8 nominees for Best Short of April-May 2026, contenders for the special jury awards of this season. Winners across all competition categories will be officially announced soon.
之(Between)间
Inspired by real events, Zhījiān (Between) follows Lucy, a Chinese immigrant forced to leave the U.S. after her visa gets
Sleep Walkabout
A sleepy koala sets off across the outback to save to his family. Written by James Parente
Sergeant
Dritz has achieved success, wealth, and the life he once believed would fulfill him. Yet when he stops long enough
Somewhere in Love
A young woman Chloe reflects on love, identity, and emotional inheritance through her relationship with her partner, as memories of
The Right Way
As a wave of layoffs sweeps through the company, only one full-time position remains. Two interns, Mark and Huang Xun,
Small Towns
Directed by Ricky (Typo) Crouch (USA)
God from the Machine
When high school senior Angel Alvarez receives a devastating diagnosis, a bizarre medical ordeal forces him to confront his deeply
Metamorphosis: A life Reclaimed
An intimate documentary series exploring the emotional, physical, and spiritual rebirth of people who choose bariatric surgery, not for vanity,
Madam(S)
Tina, the hardened owner of a seedy nightclub, navigates her criminal underworld with cold efficiency—until Amy, the elegant but shattered
10:52
A young Kurdish refugee in Canada confronts the trauma of family rejection and the devastating loss of his lover during