Welcome to the 18th Annual LA WEBFEST 2027!!!

LA WEBFEST, The Los Angeles Web Series Festival, more commonly known as the LA Web Series Festival, is a web series festival based in Los Angeles, California.
It was founded in 2009 by Michael Ajakwe Jr, an Emmy Award Winning writer, and was one of the first web series-based events; Filmmaker Magazine called it "the granddaddy of all webfests."
The 1st LAWEBFEST took place in March 2010 at a 99 seat theatre, Stage 52. Since then the venue has been at the Hilton Universal City Hotel in Universal City, Warner Brothers Studios, Sony Studios and Barnsdall Gallery Theatre.

Our goals for 2027 are to expand the festival so it can become a viable provider of quality content on an international scale. Our intention is to create a place that nurtures and cultivates upcoming creators. We invite you to a new paradigm of festival where you can take part in screenings, network parties, a redcarpet, an award show and gain access to distributors, branded companies, filmmakers, writers, producers, funding etc.

- - Michael Ajakwe Pioneer Award

- - Best Series (Long Form)
- - Best Web Series of all genres (Short Form)
- - Best Audio Series of all genres (Podcast)

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- - Best Action
- - Best Animation
- - Best Comedy
- - Best Sketch Comedy
- - Best Dramedy
- - Best Drama
- - Best Thriller
- - Best Horror
- - Best Reality
- - Best Documentary
- - Best Science Fiction
- - Best Pilot

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- Best Director
- Best Actor
- Best Actress
- Best Supporting Actor
- Best Supporting Actress
- Best Ensemble Cast
- Best Creator
- Best Director
- Best Screenplay
- Best Editor
- Best Cinematographer
- Best Sound Design
- Best Production Design
- Best Costume Design
- Best Special/Visual Effect

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- LONG FORM SERIES - Categories are same as above

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SHORTS

- Best Shorts
- Best Director
- Best Actor
- Best Actress

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PODCASTS

- Best Fiction Podcast
- Best Unscripted Podcast
- Best Actual Play Podcast
- Best Actual Play Video
- Best Audio Fiction (Standalone)

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- Best Story
- Best Writing
- Best Director
- Best Sound Design
- Best Performance
- Best Ensemble Cast

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- Best Comedy
- Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy
- Best Drama
- Best Anthology
- Best Family
- Best Educational
- Best Game Master

- - - Best Audio Series of all genres (Podcast)

REGISTRATION AND RULES 2027

Each submission form must only be completed on the filmfreeway.com

REGULATIONS
1. Registration fees are not refundable.
2. Payment can only be taken through the filmfreeway.com
Registration fees are in US dollars.

GUIDELINES (Web Series, Pilot and Shorts)

-Web Series Submission must have at least TWO (2) produced online episodes available to view at the time of entry. (Except Pilot & Shorts)

-SHORT FORM: Each episode cannot exceed 30 minutes in length. Series with individual episode exceeding 30 minutes in length are welcome to submit shortened version(s) of an episode(s) for the purpose of festival admission. Preferred 5~20 min.

-LONG FORM: Each episode exceeds 30 minutes in length. You are welcome to submit any big series that has already released through TV or online.

- Please choose the genre that best represents your series even if your series can be classified under more than one category. Duplicate submissions can be taken under a different category.

-Entries that are not in English must be dubbed in English or have English subtitles.
-Judging will be done using a created system in order that all admissions are judge fairly.
-All entries, including international submissions are eligible for prize awards in each category. We strongly encourage all finalists to attend the festival.

GUIDELINES (Podcast)

1. Podcast creators: when you join FilmFreeway, you can upload your audio file by categorizing your work as "Music/Songwriting." It's currently the only category that allows you to upload audio-only files (but we're working with FilmFreeway on updating that!) :) So, get your work up and submit to get the film festival experience!

Contact lawebfest2009@gmail.com if you have any questions.

2. There is no length requirement or limit to submit. Quality is our only criteria. So make it good! :) Please note, however, that if you get selected, we may ask for a truncated version of your project for screening purposes, depending on the length of your episodes.

3. If your fiction podcast is in a language other than English, we need you to email us an English transcript after submitting (email it to lawebfest2009@gmail.com; include your tracking number in the subject line).

PARTICIPATION
-Content submitter must be 18 years of age or older.
-Submissions must be the intellectual property of the submitter, and/or their team. No proxy submissions.

INELIGIBLE CONTENT:
-Pornography
-Product reviews

SCREENING:
-We only screen trailers, not full series, episodes, pilots and shorts. Please do not submit if you do not agree. Screening trailers must be less than 2 minutes, with a recommended duration of 1 minute.

TERMS & CONDITIONS
-By submitting to LA WEBFEST, you confirm that you hold the rights to (or are authorized to use) any and all audio and video in your web series. LA WEBFEST will not be held responsible for any claims stemming from the failure of the creator/submitter to properly obtain the rights to material submit and/or screened.
-All Decisions made by LA WEBFEST are final.
-All federal and city laws apply.
-By participating in the LA WEBFEST, each participant agrees to hold LA WEBFEST and its employees, directors and representatives harmless from any and all losses, damages, rights, claims and actions of any kind in connection with the event or resulting from acceptance, possession or use of any prize. Suggest to buy travel insurance!
-You grant LA WEBFEST the right to use the name, logo and content of your web series for awards presentations, highlight reels, and promotional material.
-LA WEBFEST reserves the right to amend guidelines, selection criteria, awards, screening, and activities if necessary.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • I had an absolutely marvelous time and it was a lovely event through and through. I think I would say that even if I hadn't won anything! The trophies are beautiful and it's clear they've really thought about the details.
    My only wish would be for the networking events to be more like parties than sit down dinners. Having to sit at tables made it very hard to circulate! But even with the challenges, I met so many fantastic people and I couldn't be happier I made the trip across the country.

    May 2026
  • Dayana Lamoru

    LA WEBFEST was an amazing experience! Thank you so much for this opportunity. We had the chance to meet wonderful people, enjoy a great evening, and experience such a warm and positive atmosphere throughout the festival. Winning an award for our mini-series “Seven,” based on the seven deadly sins, made the experience even more special. We are very proud of our project and our team. Truly grateful and honored to have been part of it, and looking forward to the next edition!

    May 2026
  • Françoise Siqueira

    LA Web fest was an amazing experience. We enjoyed the venue, a beautiful place, and the people were very friendly. We loved everything and hopefully we'll be able to come back eventually.

    May 2026
  • Steven Caldwell

    We had the pleasure of attending this year's festival and had an incredible experience! Festival leadership seems to truly care about supporting filmmakers and delivering an amazing festival experience. We were fortunate enough to win the award for Best Animation which was a huge honor. Their social media team is top-tier too, consistently active and promoting the projects in the festival.

    May 2026
  • Scott McCaffrey

    LAWEBFEST was fantastic, really a dream come true to have my work recognized, spend time and network with other creators, and be a part of the entertainment industry out in LA in my own small way. I was fortunate enough to win an award (Outstanding Fantasy/Horror/Thriller Fiction Podcast) which was really a thrill. The festival was well organized with great energy and an excellent panel. There was some good finger food and complementary wine before the award ceremony. It's not a setup where you're having a sit-down meal which was fine with me. They did not charge for their truly exquisite trophies although there was a limited opportunity to order some extra trophies for collaborators on your project which was totally optional. Thanks LAWEBFEST for a great event.

    May 2026