INDIE VEGAS Film Festival draws 220 films and hands out 100 awards in North Las Vegas

By AI, Created 5:58 PM UTC, May 15, 2026, /AGP/ – The third annual INDIE VEGAS Film Festival ran April 30-May 3 at Regal Aliante Stadium 16 & IMAX in North Las Vegas, drawing filmmakers from the U.S. and abroad. The four-day event screened more than 220 films, hosted workshops and Q&As, and ended with more than 100 awards for films and screenplays.

Why it matters: - INDIE VEGAS gave independent filmmakers a four-day showcase in Las Vegas, along with networking, workshops and audience access. - The festival’s size signals growing room for indie films, screenwriters and creators to connect with viewers and industry peers. - More than 100 awards for films and screenplays added recognition that can help projects build momentum after the festival.

What happened: - The third annual INDIE VEGAS Film Festival took place April 30-May 3 at Regal Aliante Stadium 16 & IMAX inside Aliante Casino & Hotel in North Las Vegas. - The festival drew international and domestic filmmakers to Las Vegas for screenings and events. - Organizers screened more than 220 films, including shorts and feature-length films across all genres. - The event included a networking party and a post-festival awards party at the casino.

The details: - Jon Gursha, festival director, said the festival celebrated filmmakers’ achievements with more than 100 awards for films and screenplays. - Peter Greene, festival programmer, said filmmakers took part in multiple Q&A sessions and could speak candidly with audiences. - The festival also offered an actor’s workshop. - The festival offered a workshop on how to finance an independent film. - Featured films included 1000 O, BACK TA LIFE.THOUGHT CHA KNEW!, CONTRADICTION, FINDING THE LINE - An Exploration of Structural Integration, GHOST INVESTIGATIONS - Curse of Bermudez Manor, LA JESUS, OFF-OFF-OFF-OFF BROADWAY, OUR FAMILY PRIDE, STATE OF NEBRASKA v. CROTCHY THE CLOWN, THE HEIRESS, THE IN-BETWEEN, THE SIGNAL BENEATH, CHILD OF DAWN, FERAL MOUNTAINS, THE MANHATTAN PROJECT, CHEAP, SEXY AND SHOCKING!, EDMUND, MY MAN, DEAD EAST “Nippon Flight 319”, and THE PROVIDER. - The listed filmmakers included Barbara Peikert, Maurice Smith, Pierce Kafka, Ales Urbanczik, Jared Ditman, Richard Boddington, Tom Anastasi, Glen Evelyn, Benjamin Radford, Lee Harry, Gary DeMoss, Leonard Smith, Leslie Lee, Terry Podnar, Janet Walker, Janna Jones, Kim Rapoport, Paul Alan Gober and Mark Constance. - Indie Vegas Film Festival is an independent film festival based in Las Vegas that showcases films from around the world. - The festival was founded by Jon Gursha and co-founded by Peter Greene. - Indie Vegas Film Festival is a registered trademark. - More information is available on the official festival website. - The festival also listed social media pages on Instagram, Facebook and X.

Between the lines: - The festival leaned on community-building as much as screening, using workshops, parties and Q&As to turn a film lineup into a professional gathering. - The mix of domestic and international filmmakers suggests INDIE VEGAS is positioning itself as a regional event with broader reach. - The awards-heavy format points to a festival model designed to give independent projects added visibility after the screenings end.

What’s next: - Organizers directed readers to the festival website for more information and a complete list of screened films. - INDIE VEGAS is likely to continue using Las Vegas as a base for future editions and filmmaker outreach.

The bottom line: - INDIE VEGAS used its third annual edition to combine screenings, education and recognition into a single independent film event in North Las Vegas.