Winners of the Montreal Independent Film Festival

The Montreal Independent Film Festival (MIFF) offers a unique blend of seasonal and annual components in a hybrid format. Annual screenings occur twice a year for finalists of the year at Montreal's Cinema du Parc. The seasonal competition offers marketing, press and online screening for nominees of each season throughout the year. In recent years, MIFF Canada has emerged as one of the most renowned international festivals dedicated to celebrating independent filmmaking and indie artists, with a commitment to the language of cinema, independent filmmaking, and artists globally.

MIFF aims to provide independent filmmakers with opportunities to gain visibility, win awards, and have their work showcased at Cinema du Parc and online. With thousands of entries each year, the festival's programming team reviews numerous projects across various categories each season to select and nominate those that compete for increased promotion, screening, and recognition. Many filmmakers have connected with distributors and have gone on to premiere their films at various festivals, gaining further recognition through MIFF. In a challenging time for indie film distribution, the festival is committed to supporting filmmakers and indie artists by offering the tools necessary for greater recognition of independent projects in both fiction and documentary.

MIFF Canada stands as a leading international festival celebrating independent filmmaking and artists. It has become a prestigious competition for independent filmmakers and artists from Canada and around the globe.

Arsalan Baraheni is the artistic director of the Montreal Independent Film Festival, bringing together international and Canadian artists to vote for seasonal winners and coordinating the bi-annual screenings at Cinema du Parc. At the same time, the Canadian programming committee selects and nominates projects and artists from around the world for the seasonal competition.

The festival is celebrated for its groundbreaking approach, attracting Cannes award winners, Oscar nominees, and up-and-coming independent filmmakers and artists to showcase and compete with their projects. It showcases Canadian and international talents at fully booked events and on digital platforms, enhancing the exposure of independent films. Winners receive promotion to industry professionals worldwide via social media and film magazines. We are pleased to announce the winners of the Winter/2026 seasonal edition of the festival.

Winners:

Best Narrative Feature

Anorgasmia

Director: Jon Einarsson Gustafsson

Best Narrative Short

Lamb of God

Director: Audrey Deitz

Best Feature Documentary

The Sins of Our Fathers: Race, Religion and the Rise of Trump

Director: Joey Papa

Best Short Documentary

Bridge To Redemption

Director: Brent McCorkle

Best Female Director

That One Beautiful Day

Director: Melora Walters

Best Independent Film

It Comes in Waves

Director: Fitch Jean

Best Horror

The Last Snow

Director: Rodolphe Bouquet-Populus

Best Comedy

Today Again

Director: Molly Daniels

Best Animation

North of Harbord

Director: Mateusz Garbulinski

Best Web Series/TV Pilot

Wannabes

Director: Giorgia Cadell

Best Environmental

Priceless Forests

Director: Orane Burri

Best Human Rights

Nothing to See Here: Watts

Director: Michael Soenen

Best First Time Filmmaker

Light Memories

Director: Misha Vallejo Prut

Best Student Film

Envoys

Director: Joe Disorbo

Best LGBTQ

Air de Fête

Director: ANDREA FLOCCARI

Best International Music Video

The Soucouyant

Director: Michael Garcia, Jeron Bailey

Best Canadian Music Video

Have you Never Seen Birds?

Directors: Jessica Fecteau & Robert Desroches

Best Thriller

Prank Night

Director: R. Trevor Griffiths

Best Canadian Indie

Music, Movement & Transformation: The Body Mapping Story

Director: Jennifer Lyn Johnson

Best Director of the season

Giuseppe Ivan David Di Giorgio

Under the stars of Rome

Best Actor of the season

Anto Sharp

Wake Me Up

Best Actress of the season

Kerry O'Malley

Last Stand at Butte City

Best Experimental & Best Composer

THE CORE

Director: Craig Murray

Music: Amine Boucekkine

Best Youth Artist of the season

Lenny MICHANOL

Invisible Scares

Best Unproduced Feature Script

Two for Juan

Writer: Kyle Christopher McNamara

Best Unproduced Short Script

Zero Protocol

Michael John Mendiola