EXCLUSIVE: Indie Powerhouse Andoni Zorbas Takes Top Honors at Cannes World Film Festival for The Dream and Prepares Next Feature

Los Angeles, CA — Independent filmmaker Andoni Zorbas continues to establish his voice in contemporary cinema, earning international recognition for his dedication to authentic storytelling and uncompromising creative vision.

Andoni recently won Best Film at the Cannes World Film Festival for The Dream, a feature film he wrote, directed, and produced. The award marks a significant milestone in his career and underscores his ability to deliver compelling, character-driven stories while working independently.

In addition, his earlier feature film A Dance Story received distribution by Indie Rights and was recently named a winner at the Hollywood Indie Festival (Winter Season 2026). Both The Dream and A Dance Story are available on Amazon Prime and other streaming platforms, alongside his previous works, Dear Mother and I Love Your Moves.

Capture The Moment on Film: Relying on Creativity At It’s Greatest

Despite these awards, Andoni remains grounded. He does not view his achievements as extraordinary; rather, he sees himself as a filmmaker driven purely by the persistence required to bring honest stories to the screen. Working in the indie sphere often means navigating limited budgets and logistical hurdles, but he embraces these constraints as essential to the creative spark.

“For me, filmmaking is about creating something meaningful even if it has to be from very little,” Andoni says. “Of course, I wish future projects could have larger budgets, but when funding is limited, I rely on creativity and problem-solving to ‘Get The Shot.’”

Multi Talented Artistry and Rising Momentum

Andoni shows no signs of slowing down. He currently has three completed screenplays—The Taming, Offline, and 26th Square—ready for production. He is already back on set with his latest feature-length project, The Taming.

Beyond the director’s chair, Andoni is a California Latin Dance Champion and a professional violinist. these diverse artistic talents inform the rhythmic and emotional pacing of his films. This “hands-on” philosophy extends to the technical side as well; he frequently writes, directs, produces, and edits his own work to maintain full creative control from concept to final cut.

A Journey Defined by Resilience and A Love For His Talent

Andoni’s path to Hollywood was anything but easy. Arriving at just 16 years old with his mother and little more than a suitcase, he faced significant hardship. Following a tragic loss in the family, the two endured periods of homelessness, taking on any work available—including washing dishes—to survive.

While attending LACC and later UC Riverside, Andoni steadily built his acting career, taking on lead roles while completing his studies. Even while sleeping in his car, he remained focused, eventually graduating from UC Riverside with a Bachelor of Arts in Theater, Film, and Digital Production. He credits his professors and mentors for shaping his understanding of the craft—lessons he carries with him into every new production.

“Storytelling is my life,” he says. “No matter the obstacles, I will always push forward to tell the stories I feel compelled to share.”