The fiercely independent Lower East Side Film Festival recently concluded its 16th edition in New York City. Gold Derby can exclusively reveal the winners of this year’s lineup, which includes the Sundance-approved documentary Public Access — one of Gold Derby’s favorite films to screen at Park City this year — and the thriller The Plan, headlined by Ryan Simpkins, star of Netflix’s hit Fear Street trilogy.
Directed by David Shadrack Smith, Public Access looks back on the the wild wild West that was New York City’s public access television scene from the 1970s thru the 1990s. Filled with vintage clips and narration from many of the surviving participants and purveyors of those singular shows, the yet-to-be-acquired film is as New York as they come.
The LEFF awards were selected by a distinguished jury that includes newly-minted Tony-nominated director, Whitney White; legendary indie producer Christine Vachon; Oscar-nominated actor Lucas Hedges; and social media superstar Francesca Scorsese. Additional jurors include Mamoudou Athie, Avan Jogia, Charlotte Kaufman, Arian Moayed, Mary Neely, and Constance Zimmer.
“Our 2026 jurors showed up with real curiosity and a deep love of independent film,” LEFF festival director Roxy Hunt remarked in a statement provided to Gold Derby. “We’re incredibly thankful for the time and attention they gave these filmmakers. It means a lot to have artists like this championing new work.”
Noting that this year’s festival saw a notable rise in attendance, co-festival director Tony Castle observed: “Audiences are craving independent films and showing up in a big way to support it. It’s not just a moment, it’s a movement.”
Here’s the full list of 2026 Lower East Side Film Festival winners:
Best of Fest
Public Access
Director: David Shadrack Smith
Producers: Sara Crow, Anne-Marcelle Ngabirano
Executive Producers: Steve Buscemi, Wren Arthur, Benny Safdie
Editor: Geoff Gruetzmacher
Audience Award
Homunculus
Director: Owen Kibby
Writers: Santiago Mallan, Owen Kibby
Producers: Noah Blau, Michelle Leung
Cast: Mitra Jouhari, Ruby McCollister, Jeremy Gill, Jake Innerst, Aitana Doyle
Best Feature
The Plan
Director-writer: Jessica Barr
Starring: Ryan Simpkins, An-Li Bogan, Jordan Hull, Eve Lindley, Percy Hynes White, Logan Miller, Arkira Chantaratananond and Frank Mosley.
Producers: Alexander Spenser Gould, Jessica Barr, Sarah Whelden, Kelly Wilcox
Executive Producers: Katherine Romans, Charlie Traisman, Mariah Leath, Ryan Ward
Best Narrative Short
“Echelon”
Director: Sebastian DiNatale
Writer: Zach DiLanzo
Producers: Christina Pelletiere, Nicholas Venerosa
Cast: Laura Oberbeck, Brad Howe, Johnny Frohman, Matt Weir
Best Doc Short
“Being Bublé”
Director: Dan Perlman
Producers: Charlotte Kassimir, Dan Perlman
Cast: Dan Perlman, Charlotte Kassimir, Anthony DeVito, Erin Matthews
Best Animated Short
“To Have and to Hold”
Director-writer: Julianne Martin
Cast: Ryan Self, Katie Self
Neighborhood Award
Grown
Director-writer: Audrey Cicerello
Producers: Janet Manina, Jackson Roy Prince
Cast: Olivia Welch, Sydney Leiser, Savy Jackson
