MISSION:
Set in historic center of the Film Capital of the World, DTLA Film Festival (Downtown Film Festival Los Angeles) has as its mission to exhibit a wide array of independent films by and about groups traditionally underrepresented in the commercial Hollywood film industry, notably women, people of color and members of the LGBTQ community.
The festival also strives to reflect the unique cultural diversity of the neighborhoods of DTLA and L.A.’s surrounding Eastside communities – home to more ethnic groups than any other place in the world.
Finally, the festival embraces DTLA as a nexus of the New Urbanism movement. It provides a platform for films that explore the history, architecture, cultural diversity and contemporary social and political issues of the modern urban landscape. At the same time, it strives to call attention to DTLA’s historic and increasing important role In Los Angeles’ creative industries where film, music, video games and digital entertainment media converge.
DTLA Film Festival was established in 2008 and proclaimed by L.A. Weekly to be among the Top 5 Film Festivals in Los Angeles. The festival celebrates the renaissance of downtown LA (DTLA) in all its facets - its historic movie palaces, its legendary cultural institutions, its thriving business and residential communities, and its unique ethnic-cultural diversity.
DTLA is the midst of a building boom not seen since the 1920s. Dozens of restaurants, lounges, galleries and hotels have opened in the last year. Established digital and other corporate brands, creative agencies and high-tech start-ups are setting up shop. DTLA is the most exciting place to be in Los Angeles - its new creative nexus - and DTLA Film Fest is the largest film event in DTLA.
Since 2008 the festival has screened more than a thousand narrative and documentary features and shorts. We embrace diversity in front of and behind the camera. We lean toward films that push the creative envelope. And through the years we've honored an array of artists who have contributed to independent cinema Mira Sorvino, Rosanna Arquette, Malcom McDowell, John Hawkes, Laura Dern, Mark Ruffalo, Charles Burnett, Penelope Spheeris, Allison Anders and Robert Altman.
Our audience is comprised of entertainment industry professionals: producers, agents, filmmakers, film financiers and other film, music, TV, video game, Internet, marketing and fashion industry creatives. Films at our festival enjoy the advantage of being seen by the industry influentials that can make a difference in your film and your career.
The 11th Annual DTLA Film Festival will be held October 23-27, 2019. Our primary screening venue is Regal L.A. Live Stadium 14, the only multiplex in downtown Los Angeles, featuring state-of-the-art a/v equipment and facilities. The multiplex is part of the larger L.A. Live entertainment complex featuring 25 restaurants and lounges as well as the Grammy Museum, the Staples Center and other entertainment venues. DTLA is the hub of Los Angeles, and L.A. Live is the hub of DTLA.
This year's festival will be bringing back it’s screenwriting competition accepting features, shorts and TV Pilots. The majority of the festival's 100+ screenings this year will continue to be reserved for movies of all genres and themes. DTLA Film Fest remains committed to its tradition of fearless innovation and diversity in programming.
Prizes are awarded in all the major categories (best picture, director, cinematographer, screenwriter, actors etc.), divided by genre: narrative feature, documentary feature, and shorts.
