New York City: In a proud moment for the Indian independent film community, Indian-origin filmmaker Venkat Sai Gunda has successfully launched the inaugural edition of The Storyteller Universe Film Festival in New York City. The festival marks a significant step forward, as an Indian filmmaker builds an international platform dedicated to supporting independent storytellers, discovering cinematic gems, and sharing meaningful stories with the world.
Held in an intimate, boutique setting in New York, the festival brought together filmmakers, artists, and creators from across the globe, many of whom traveled internationally to attend the screenings and awards night. The focus remained firmly on authentic, human-centered cinema, celebrating stories driven by emotion, purpose, and originality rather than commercial scale.
What sets The Storyteller Universe Film Festival apart is its creator-first philosophy. Built by filmmakers who understand the journey of storytelling from idea to screen, the festival aims to uplift independent voices and provide visibility to films that might otherwise go unseen. The platform actively seeks out bold, personal narratives and introduces them to global audiences.
The festival was organized and supported by a passionate team including Juggy Arora, JD Brookshire, Maheshwarapandiyan Sarvanan, Tarun Degala, Thirumalesh Gundrath, and Prathyusha Vudatha, whose collaborative efforts helped shape the festival into a welcoming and inclusive creative space.
“I know how much it takes to make a film,” said Venkat Sai Gunda. “This festival exists to support filmmakers, to recognize their courage, and to share their stories with the world. If a story is told and received, that itself is success.”
The awards night celebrated excellence across feature films, documentaries, animation, experimental cinema, music-driven storytelling, social impact films, and performances. While winners were honored, the festival emphasized that every selected filmmaker was already a winner for bringing their story to life.
Having previously received international recognition for his own work, Venkat Sai Gunda now steps into a broader role as a curator and cultural organizer, creating opportunities for emerging voices while representing Indian creatives on a global stage. His journey from award recipient to festival founder resonated strongly with filmmakers and audiences alike.
Looking ahead, The Storyteller Universe Film Festival has announced plans to expand its scope, including the introduction of Vertical Storytelling as an official cinematic category in future editions, reflecting its commitment to evolving forms of global storytelling.
The successful New York debut highlights the growing presence of Indian filmmakers not only participating in international cinema, but actively shaping its future through leadership, collaboration, and creative vision.
Submissions for the 2026 edition are currently open. Additional details on eligibility and curation criteria are expected later this year.
Winners
Best Feature Film: Mohammadmahdi Katirachi – In Other Words
Best Short Film: Moon Romance, Moon
Best Documentary: Matthew Floyd – Lessons from 100: Reflections In My Centennial Year
Best Director: Nadan Pines – Father’s Son
Best Actor: Taha Mohammadi – In Other Words
Best Actress: Anja Bothe – Loslassen
Best Screenplay: Christine Marie Bush – Serenity Peak
Best Comedy: Greg Kirkpatrick Jr. – Another Day
Best Editing: Javier Yañez – Amira
Best AI Film: Michal Jan Owerczuk – Broken Arrow
Best Horror/Thriller: Darwin Reina – Blood Mist
Best Social Impact Story Award: Douglas Ryan – 3 Minutos
Best Debut Filmmaker – Making Megaforce
Best Documentary Short (Jury Award): Brian Knappmiller – Sheepdogs
Best Micro Short: Julia Ulbrich Horta – The Other One
Best Experimental Film: Ethann Néon – Blickity Black
Best Music: Malik Maliki – In the Bad Times
Best Sci-Fi Film: Maxence Bossé &Nolan Corlay – Ignis Oppidum
Best Animation: Cristina Colmenares, Manuel-Antonio Monteagudo – Memoria Colectiva
Best South Asian Film: Rishi Raj Acharya – Drawapadi
BestPhoto/ Visual Art: CR Sherman – Drawing in Dreams
Storyteller Appreciation Award: Guruswamy Raviteja – Cockery
Excellence in Musical Storytelling : Anil – Priya Priya Song
