The first edition of the Firework Film Festival will be held at the Gardena Cinema on Sunday, November 1st, 2026.

We accept short films across all genres! Send us your best and most entertaining films.

Our goal is to provide an audience to filmmakers and give them a chance to show off their creativity. We want you to see your work on the massive screen at the Gardena Cinema. It is a beautiful 800-seat venue. It is one of the last family-owned cinemas in Los Angeles County.

After the screening, there will be a post-screening networking mixer where filmmakers will have the opportunity to meet industry professionals, potential collaborators, and like-minded individuals who share their passion for movies.

Our hope is that this may open doors to new projects, funding opportunities, and mentor relationships.

Through our efforts, we hope to inspire, connect, and showcase the talent of filmmakers from all walks of life.

Details:

Location: Gardena Cinema

Address: 14948 Crenshaw Blvd, Gardena, CA 90249

Parking is free.

Tickets are $15.

Date: Sunday, November 1st, 2026

Schedule:

Doors Open 6:00pm
Show Starts 7:00pm
Awards + Filmmaker Q&A 10:00pm
Networking Mixer 10:30pm
End of Festival 11:00pm

Awards & Prizes

There will be several awards handed out after the screening. Each winner will receive a framed certificate. After the awards are handed out, there will be a filmmaker Q&A on stage, then a networking mixer in the lobby.

Categories:

Best Short Film
Best Director
Best Screenplay
Best Actor
Best Actress
Best Supporting Actor
Best Supporting Actress
Best Cinematography
Best Editing
Best Original Score

Also, everyone will receive a Firework Film Festival laurel (Official Selection).

Rules & Terms

Filmmakers will be required to attend the festival on November 1st, 2026 to be screened and to accept their awards. Not attending will result in the disqualification of your film.

We require a DCP for the film to be screened at the Gardena Cinema. If you don’t have one, then the festival team can create one for your film, for an additional cost.

All films must be original works of the filmmakers, and all filmmakers must have the necessary rights. The festival will not be responsible for any copyright-related issues.

Selected films must acknowledge that the festival reserves the right to promote the films on the Firework Film Festival website and Instagram page.

Please make sure your contact information is correct. We will communicate with you through email.

Films in a language other than English must include English subtitles that are visible on a big screen.

Please contact fireworkfilmfestival@gmail.com with any questions related to the festival.