
This year was the exciting first edition of the All Americas’ Independent Film Festival (AAIFF Americas’) in Mexico City. The festival featured 28 independent films, bringing together powerful stories and unique voices from North, Central, and South America.
With 28 films from 9 countries participating to the festival this year, AAIFF Americas’ 2026 ended its indie-packed festival with its established final ceremony recognising 17 award winners.
We are proud to end this second year with our official awards ceremony, where we recognise the talented filmmakers behind these incredible works. It’s a special moment as we announce the very first winners in the history of AAIFF Americas’.
Our festival was created to support and celebrate independent filmmakers from all parts of the American continent. These artists often work without big budgets, but their passion and creativity shine through. AAIFF Americas’ is here to give them a stage – to share their stories with the world and help their careers grow.
We look forward to many more years of powerful cinema and fresh talent at AAIFF Americas’.
LISTED BELOW IS THE FULL LIST OF AAIFF AMERICAS’ 2026 WINNERS:
| Best Independent Film From The Americas’ 2026 | Public Phone | Moïs Roditi |
| Best Independent Dramatic Short From The Americas’ 2026 | Russian Roulette | Bernardo Archer Valdes |
| Best Independent Dramatic Feature From The Americas’ 2026 | The Obelisk | Béla Baptiste |
| Best Independent Documentary From The Americas’ 2026 | Tribe | Raúl de Jesus Torres Godoy |
| Best Independent Experimental Film From The Americas’ 2026 | Arachne | Nicolas Andrew |
| Best Independent Music Video From The Americas’ 2026 | Sediento | Luise Arte |
| Best Independent Animated Film From The Americas’ 2026 | Requiem Croak | Nicole Serrano |
| Best Independent Comedy Film From The Americas’ 2026 | (Don’t know) How to be | Salvador Espinosa |
| Best Artificial Intelligence (AI) Film From The Americas’ 2026 | Nashville Payphone | Michael Eng |
| Best Independent Horror Film From The Americas’ 2026 | Home Run | Julián Acosta Vera |
| Best Student Film From The Americas’ 2026 | Saltwater Season | Natalia Valencia |
| Best Actor 2026 | Out of Order | Actor: Brandon Routh |
| Best Actress 2026 | Saltwater Season | Actress: Erandi Rojas Ortíz |
| Best Editing 2026 | Out of Order | Editors: Matt Braunsdorf & Eric Potter |
| Best Cinematography 2026 | The return of the prodigal son | Cinematographer: Adrian Arriola Nuñez |
| Best Independent Film Director From The Americas’ 2026 | Yurianna’s Garden | Luis Solarat & Natalia Mejia |
| Best Script From The Americas’ 2026 | Villano | Joaquin Vargas |
| Jury Mention | Catatumbo: House of thunder, memory, and dignity | Jhonattan Sarmiento |
| Mexican Students Special Award 2026 | Sueños de Pingüino | Ana Sofía Caballero Alvarez |