HIGHLAND PARK INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL (HPIFF) fosters emerging and established filmmakers by providing forums for screening projects, networking with industry professionals and mentoring student filmmakers in Northeast Los Angeles. Join us to celebrate our 13th Annual celebration of independent cinema: "Roots to Reels".

Awards & Prizes

Best Feature Film
Best Feature Documentary
Best Narrative Short Film
Best Documentary Short Film
Best Comedy Short Film
Best Horror Short Film
Best Animation Short Film
Best Foreign Short Film
Best Student Short Film
Audience Choice Awards
Best Performance
Best Ensemble Performance
Best Cinematography
Best Musical Composition
Honorable Mention

Rules & Terms

INSTRUCTIONS AND IMPORTANT DATES

Submissions are open to all filmmakers, topics, and genres. Features are films 60 minutes and up. Shorts are films under 30 minutes.

First Deadline is July 10 / Fee is $20 Students $15
Final Deadline is August 14 Fee is $30 Students $20

Questions? Email: marita@hpifilmfest.com

46 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Stephen Bridgewater

    We had an amazing experience at HPIFF. The organizers were very helpful in making sure we had accessible access. The venue is unique and open. Wonderful group of people and artists.

    April 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you Stephen! It was our great honor to screen your wonderful work. Brought a smile to our hearts!

  • MK McGehee

    A fantastic local film festival here in Los Angeles. The entire team was warm, welcoming and communicative from the start. I absolutely loved the venue - it’s not a traditional theatre… it’s so much more than that. A very cool, iconic piece of LA history with a kickass sound system. Thank you to the entire HPIFF family for a great festival!

    December 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you MK! Honor to screen not one but two of your films. We wish you continued success and we are back at Garibaldina so come back and see us at the cool venue!

  • David Stanek

    Incredible displays of work here - also my very first festival screening for my film TATTERS. Marita is a total rockstar to work with and I highly recommend this festival for anybody getting their foot in the door! It's the best place to get discovered and earn some well deserved awards :)

    November 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you for. your kind words David. We loved TATTERS! Your words mean so much because that is exactly our mission!

  • McKenna Murphy

    Thank you so much to the Highland Park Independent Film Festival for sharing my student film! I am honored that "Sage Hen" won 'Best Student Film' in your festival, and I am so grateful to you for sharing my film with your audiences.

    November 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    McKenna, thank you! Well deserved and we are so grateful that you shared Sage Hen with us. We aim to encourage and support!

  • Samuel McIntosh

    A great festival -- communicative and professional with a true care for their films and filmmakers. Hope to be back again very soon.

    November 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you Samuel! We really do truly care for our films and filmmakers and you saying that just inspires us to do it again this year for our 13th edition!