Los Angeles Film Awards (LAFA) is a monthly film and screenplay competition for filmmakers worldwide.
LAFA is one of the highest-rated festivals on FilmFreeway, with over 1000 five-star reviews.

Our mission is to promote films, and be another step up in the filmmakers' careers.

Every month, our jury will award the best films through private screenings, and make a special interview with the winner of the Best Picture award. Some of the monthly winners will earn an annual nomination.

* All winners receive a free certificate (PDF/JPG file, ready for print). 

Partner festivals:
Top Shorts www.filmfreeway.com/ts
Festigious www.filmfreeway.com/festigious
Actors Awards www.filmfreeway.com/actorsawards
NY Film Awards www.filmfreeway.com/ny
FCA (Filmmakers Connect Awards) www.filmfreeway.com/fc

Awards & Prizes

Best Picture
Best Narrative Feature
Best Narrative Short
Best Drama
Best Comedy
Best Horror
Best Thriller
Best Action
Best Sci-Fi
Best Fantasy Film
Best Crime Film
Best Mystery Film
Best Parody
Best Western
Best Sitcom
Best Film Noir
Best Virtual Reality
Best Documentary
Best Animation
Best Microfilm
Best Indie Film
Best Web Series
Best TV Series
Best Web/TV Pilot
Best Music Video
Best Experimental Film
Best Inspirational Film
Best Director
Best Actor
Best Actress
Best Actor in an Indie Film
Best Actress in an Indie Film
Best Child/Young Actor
Best Child/Young Actress
Best Supporting Actor
Best Supporting Actress
Best Duo
Best Ensemble
Best Cinematography
Best Editing
Best Original Score
Best First Time Director (Feature)
Best First Time Director (Short)
Best Student Film
Best TV Series
Best Web/TV Pilot
Best Song in a Film
Best Sound Design
Best Visual Effects
Best Trailer
Best Original Story
Best Television Script
Best Screenplay Short
Best Screenplay Feature
Best First Time Screenwriter
Best Drama Screenplay
Best Comedy Screenplay
Best Thriller Screenplay
Best Horror Screenplay
Best Fantasy Screenplay
Best Action Screenplay
Best Sci-Fi Screenplay

Rules & Terms

* What we’re looking for? Story-based films, which can be in the form of narrative (fiction), documentary (non fiction), or animation.

* By submitting your film, take note that:
- You agree to use parts of your film (including trailer/teaser/film poster/stills) for promotional purpose.
- Entry fees are non-refundable.
- Multiple entries are allowed for each filmmaker and each entry may be entered in multiple categories.
- The films will not be available online.
- We promote some of the films by uploading the trailers/teasers/posters/production stills.

* We do not accept:
1. Amateur videos
2. Extremist or propaganda content from religious or political organizations
3. Films involving politics / films promoting political agenda
4. Films with a poor production standard (bad sound, lack of subtitles/captions for non-English films, video resolution less than 720p HD)
5. Films which were made before 2010
6. Films that depict or include any cruelty to animals.

LAFA is a FilmFreeway Gold festival, a Magic Productions Int. & Her Scores brand, and a partner festival of Top Shorts, Festigious, Actors Awards, NY Film Awards and FilmCon Awards.
1113 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • JONG SU BAE

    An outstanding festival with a strong eye for quality storytelling.
    The process was smooth and well-organized.
    Truly honored to be recognized by LAFA.

    May 2026
    Helpful
  • Chiara Basile Fasolo

    Thank you to the festival for including my film “Double Code” among the Semi-Finalists.
    It’s a real pleasure to be part of this selection.
    I’m grateful for the opportunity you’ve given to my work.

    April 2026
    Helpful
  • Robert Hicks

    I very much appreciate that my film "Out of the Shadows" was selected as Best Film Noir. This is a great honor! Thank you to the Los Angeles Film Awards for this esteemed acknowledgement.

    April 2026
    Helpful
  • Dean Johnson

    Thank you for acknowledging "Group Home Gradz" with awards. We will continue to share our story of connection. Congrats to our fellow film makers.

    April 2026
    Helpful
  • Hector Abaunza Canales

    Los Angeles Film Awards were exceptional.

    April 2026
    Helpful