The Oscars Can Suck It! Award This! in its 7th Year Honors Indie Filmmakers In-Person on Saturday, January 31st, 2026!
Film Threat’s Award This! has become a unique voice for indie film and an annual industry staple. An event with a mission — to champion independent films across a multitude of diverse categories to bring awareness to the growing number of exceptional indies available on DVD, VOD, and streaming services. Film Threat recognizes these films each year with a ceremony hosted by actors, comedians and critics, and the celebration continues at a huge afterparty. And yes, there will be an Award This! gift bag.
The Award This! nominees were selected from over 2,000 indie films reviewed by Film Threat in 2024/2025. Award This! returns for its seventh year and will take place at the Frida Cinema in Santa Ana, California on Saturday, January 31st and a limited number of tickets are now available for sale to the public on the Frida Cinema website.
Film Threat’s Award This! show can also be seen on YouTube shortly after the awards are presented. Film Threat’s Award This! is the only award show where the general public may attend by simply buying a ticket. (Try getting tickets to the Oscars!)
This years’ vastly differing nominees have offered unique visions across a broad range of genres. And the utterly unique Award This! bold and diverse categories include Indie Sci-Fi, Documentary, Indie Horror, Indie Comedy, Horror Comedy, Public Domain Horror, Indie LGBTQ+ Film, Unreal Outsiders Documentary, Indie Action/Thriller, Indie Drama, Indie Romantic Comedy, Music Documentary, Films About Filmmaking, WTF Indie, Pop Culture Documentary, Socially Relevant Documentary, Short Film, Best Director, Best Directress, Indie Made for Less Than the Contents of an Oscar Gift Bag (Under $100K), and the prestigious Indie Movie of the Year.
“Hollywood continues to churn out flopbusters and fail at the box office delivering unoriginal sequel, prequels, requeals, whatever that is, and reboots. Audiences are craving original stories that resonate with everyone and that’s what these bold indie filmmakers continue to deliver. Award This and Film Threat are here to champion voices that are a rebel yell of cinematic anarchy. Come to the party as we cheer on these maverick moviemakers on January 31st at the height of award season,” states Film Threat founder/publisher and Award This! producer Chris Gore.
“There is an indie film revolution happening…”
Film Threat editor-in-chief Alan Ng, who personally reviewed many of the nominated films, went on to state, “This group of nominees is among the best we have ever seen in the seven years of putting on this event. There is an indie film revolution happening and I’m proud to play a part in helping spread the word about this remarkably talented group of filmmakers.”
The nominating board of Award This! is comprised of the staff of Film Threat’s editors and critics which number 30+ worldwide along with an advisory board of media figures and independent film luminaries.
And now, we proudly present Film Threat’s 7th Annual Award This! Nominees…
Thank you so much for nominating JessZilla for best sports documentary. It means the world to our team and we hope this nomination will help introduce more people to the amazing Jesselyn “JessZilla” Silva!
It feels amazing to have SHAKEN AND STIRRED: THE STORY OF FLAIR BARTENDING nominated for best sports documentary. Thank you so much for this honor.
Thank you so much for nominating Cannibal Mukbang!! Y’all are the best, and this means THE WORLD to our entire team! Thank you thank you thank you!
We’re honored you nominated Waiting For The Drop: Rise of the Superstar DJs in the music documentary category. We are thrilled to be among your awards contenders and plan to represent the film at your event in Santa Ana. Thanks so much again to Film Threat!
Whoa! A nomination? I’m so greatful that you guys have considered The Adventures of Maxwell Galaxy clever enough to be nominated in the sci-fi category with these inspiring filmmakers !
Thank you so much for nominating A Brooklyn Love Story. My cast and crew are so excited to be recognized by Film Threat! Can’t wait to attend!
How’s it going, guys! This is Ricardo Aguirre, Jr. Thank you so much for nominating Thrilla. This is a literal thrill for me and the guys involved. I do have to correct Alan. Mike didn’t have 7 months. He had 7 weeks to drop the 45lbs. Again, thank you so much. This is an honor!