Congratulations Award Winners!
Congratulations to our American Tamil International Film Festival – 2026 award winners. These films and filmmakers exhibit excellence in artistry and craftsmanship in noteworthy ways. The American Tamil International Film Festival family and jury extend a warm congratulations to these award winners who have positively shaped the world of film and storytelling.
Official Winners List Updated – Jan 26, 2026
| Awards | Given | Director / Writer NAME(S) | |
| Best Feature Film | By Myself  |
Colin Rai Field | |
| Best Feature Film | Kuppan | Sasikumar T | Honorable Mention |
| Best Short Film | Unnamed Treatment |
Adrian Coelho | |
| Best Short Film | Jannal Thaandiya Paravaigal | Kathir Veerasekar | Honorable Mention |
| Feature Documentary | Living Wheels |
Sree S | |
| Feature Documentary | Following in the footsteps of my ancestors | Ute Koehler, Katherin Wermke | Honorable Mention |
| Short Documentary | Jungle King |
Sue | |
| Best Comedy Short | A Messy Blend | David Morris Erba | |
| Best Drama Short | Baron Munchausen (Karl) | Ilya Noyabrev | |
| Best Thriller Short | The Silver Lining | Mikey Altoft | |
| Best Horror Short | The Bell | Jack Andrew Hourahine | |
| Best Music Video | Destination 11 | Jens Brygmann | |
| Student Film | Acting Out | Mellony Ledo | |
| Web/TV Series | Integration | Matthew Harris | |
| Animated Film | Underneath | Matt Bissett-Johnson | |
| Advertising | NIKE SUPERREP GO3 FLYKNIT | Roman Nekhoda | |
| Photography | Runaway Railway | Andrew Coutches | |
| Director Feature Film | A Sea and Two Shores | John Romeo | |
| Best Director Feature Film | Hi5 | Baskaran Thurairajah | |
| Best Director Feature Film | Happy Birthday | RAJU CHANDRA | |
| Director Short Film | Forgiving Retribution | Curt Samlaska | |
| EMERGING Actor | Vilangu Therikkum | Danesh Raj | |
| First Time Director Feature Film | One Day Lover Girl | Surya R | |
| Award for Best Short Film Director: | The Taste of Greed | Senthooran Ramanathan | |
| First Time Director Short Film | MA NISHADA | Punalur Chandrasekharan | |
| Best Actor | Vilangu Therikkum | Prakash Navaratnarajah | |
| Best Actor (Senior) | Hi5 | Shanmugam Chandrasekaran | |
| Best Actress | Wedding Bell | Silpa Rai | |
| Feature Script | Kick Rocks | Peter Herlan |
Our heartfelt congratulations to all the winning films and the exceptional teams who brought them to life.
Warmest regards,
The ATIFF Team
