Richa Chadha and Ali Fazal’s maiden production Girls Will Be Girls has been nominated in the Breakthrough Director category at the Gotham Awards, which are presented in New York city annually to the makers of independent films. Girls Will Be Girls has been directed by Shuchi Talati and features Kani Kusruti, Preeti Panigrahi and Kesav Binoy Kiron, among others.

What makes the nomination even more significant is the fact that Sean Baker’s heartfelt, Palme D’or winning romantic comedy Anora and Luca Guadigno’s energetic Challengers have also been nominated in different categories at the awards.

“I am incredibly honoured to be recognized by the Gotham Awards,” said Shuchi. “This nomination is not just a personal milestone, it also reflects the collective efforts, creativity, and passion of everyone involved in Girls Will Be Girls. Our film seeks to illuminate the complexities of female experiences in a fresh and engaging way and I hope it resonates deeply with audiences.”

Richa and Ali jointly expressed their pride: “We are immensely proud of Shuchi and the entire team behind Girls Will Be Girls. This nomination is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and vision that went into creating this film.”

The film had its India premiere at MAMI Film Festival this year.