Presented by the esteemed Parajanov-Vartanov Institute, DOC LA - Los Angeles Documentary Film Festival - will screen and award outstanding films by students, emerging filmmakers and established masters of American and World cinema. DOC LA furthers the mission of the annual Parajanov-Vartanov Institute Awards established in 2010.

While the festival’s focus is documentary cinema, we program films of any genre (including Animation, Live Action/Fiction, Experimental and Music Videos). We are also enthusiastic about unusual, strange and unclassifiable films since the institute that presents the festival is named after the renowned nonconformists Sergei Parajanov (1924-1990) and Mikhail Vartanov (1937-2009), who overcame censorship, persecution and low budgets, and earned praise for their daring point of view from many of cinema’s greatest luminaries, such as Godard, Coppola and Tarkovsky, and inspired the likes of Madonna and Lady Gaga. The festival’s programmer is their disciple and UCLA alum Martiros Vartanov, who has served as a juror and a curator at festivals in Los Angeles, Amsterdam and Busan, and worked on the restoration of The Color of Pomegranates selected for Festival de Cannes.

Parajanov-Vartanov Institute and DOC LA awardees, alums and guests include (Oscar) Academy Award ® winners Martin Scorsese, Emma Thompson, Marion Cotillard, Susan Sarandon, Helen Mirren, Cate Blanchett, Meryl Streep, Jeff Bridges, as well as Werner Herzog, Emilio Rivera, Usher, Ice-T, Joe Berlinger, Errol Morris, Ross Kauffman, Jem Cohen, Alfred Molina, William Baldwin, Angela Bassett, Mark Ruffalo, Pierce Brosnan, Dennis Quaid, Liam Neeson, Christoph Waltz, John Malkovich, Keith David, Michael Weatherly, Michelle Rodriguez, Woody Harrelson, Gerard Butler, Jamie Lee Curtis, Seth Rogen, Moby, Stefania Spampinato, Steven Ogg, Angourie Rice, Matilda De Angelis, Alana Haim, Virginie Ledoyen, Dave Stewart, Pulitzer Prize-winning author William Saroyan, French cinema icon Jean Vigo, and Grammy winning rock bands Smashing Pumpkins, Korn, and System Of A Down. DOC LA was covered by The Hollywood Reporter, Screen Daily, LA Weekly, Variety, LA Times, CBS, FOX, and Deadline Hollywood.

Best Documentary Award
Best Short Documentary Award
Best Mid-Length Documentary Award
Best Student Documentary Award

DOC LA, at its discretion, may award cash prizes and special awards:

Directing Award
Cinematography Award
Screenwriting Award
Editing Award
Composer Award
Producer Award
Animation Award
Audience Award
Music Video Award
Episodic Series Award
Experimental Film Award

NOTIFICATION:

On rolling basis and (appx) by September 30.

SELECTED FILMS:

DOC LA must receive the screening copy of your film within 7 days from notification of acceptance.

GUIDELINES:

Short films: 1-15 min.
Mid length films: 16-39 min.
Features: 40-180 min.

DOC LA accepts online screeners only (ideally, Vimeo, FilmFreeway player, YouTube, etc).

By submitting to Los Angeles Documentary Film Festival (DOC LA) you understand and agree that:

a). you are the creator/owner of the film, or you are authorized by the creator/owner of the film to submit it.

b). you will provide DOC LA Documentary Film Festival with the screening copy of your film (DCP -- or -- Quicktime/ProRes/H264/etc) within 7 days from notification of acceptance. Submission fees are nonrefundable. The festival reserves the right to change any dates, deadlines, terms, format, and venues at its sole discretion.

c). that the festival will not be held liable in case your exhibition materials are lost, stolen or damaged, or for any claims arising from improperly secured rights/permissions for your film.

d). that you have all the necessary rights/permissions for your film.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Liz Curtis

    It was an honor and delight to screen my film at Doc LA. The festival is well ran and I look forward to submitted future projects. Thanks Doc LA!

    January 2025
  • Magdalena Zielonka

    Doc LA is an incredible experience! The level of detail and curation that gets put into this experience is one of a kind.

    January 2025
  • Matthew Brady

    Wonderful in every way. A top festival with class style and sophistication. Max and his team put on a well curated event. I was thrilled to meet Jamie Lee Curtis at one of the screenings. Looking forward to next year.

    January 2025
  • Billy Raftery

    DOC LA was the perfect launchpad for our film and has a fun, high energy atmosphere with senior executive buyers in the audience. Max is the soul behind this incredibly well run festival that’s growing into a platform for documentaries to be sold. Thank you Team Doc LA! Lots of love from The Last Amateur squad! Cheers to Max! Billy Raftery

    November 2024
  • Thank you, Max and DOC LA team for recognizing RECLAMATION with the Best Song Award! We had a wonderful time and really enjoyed the other films. Although there's no party, we felt there was enough time before the screenings and after the Q&As to meet the other filmmakers. It was incredible that almost every screening block sold out! We also appreciated how your photographer took time to get great shots of everyone! We look forward to submitting future projects. Thanks again.

    November 2024