True stories. Abundant Nature. Vibrant community.

Positioned between the film industry centers of Malibu and Los Angeles, Agoura Hills provides an ideal location for filmmakers and enthusiasts, blending accessibility to nature with a storied filmmaking heritage. The city has been a backdrop for notable films and TV shows like "Django Unchained," "MAS*H," "Gone Girl," and "Westworld," enriching it with a deep cinematic legacy. This rich history, coupled with Agoura Hills' stunning vistas, makes the Ladyface Mountain Film Festival more than just an event—it's a journey through film history set in one of Southern California's most culturally significant landscapes.

Community is paramount to the Ladyface Mountain Film Festival. We are excited to engage members of the local community with festival filmmakers. For every film shown, we encourage filmmakers both behind the scenes and in front of the camera to be present for active and engaging discussions and Q&A's.

Ladyface Mountain Film Festival celebrates genuine storytelling via compelling documentaries that explore human narratives and nature's beauty. Featuring authentic tales and uplifting movies from diverse global filmmakers, the festival embraces exploration, connection, and the human spirit. We believe in the power of real stories to inspire, educate, and provoke thought. From environmental issues to social justice, from personal narratives to historical accounts, our festival aims to be a diverse tapestry of the world's stories.

The festival’s program will include a carefully curated selection of documentaries from around the world chosen from a jury of industry veterans, local community members, and documentary experts. We aim to showcase a variety of perspectives, inviting submissions that cover a wide range of themes and topics. Each screening is an opportunity for audiences to embark on a new journey, to see the world through the eyes of others, and to engage in meaningful dialogue. The festival is not just about watching films; it's about building a community. We encourage networking among filmmakers, industry professionals, and enthusiasts. The festival will provide multiple opportunities for attendees to connect, collaborate, and discuss future projects, making it a fertile ground for new ideas and partnerships.

Festival Schedule:

DAY 1: THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2025
- Opening Hike to the top of Ladyface Mountain** (10:00 AM)

- Kids & Teen Community Engagement Event and Screenings** (3:00 PM at Agoura Library)

- Opening Documentary with Q&A (6:30 - 8:30 PM at Regency Agoura)

- Opening Night PARTY (8:30 - 10:00 PM at Agoura Courtyard Marriott Bar and Lounge)

DAY 2: FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2025
- Short Doc Block 1 with Q&A (11:30 AM - 1:30 PM at Regency Agoura)

- Short Doc Block 2 with Q&A (2:00 - 4:00 PM at Regency Agoura)

- Short Doc Block 3 with Q&A (4:30 - 6:30 PM at Regency Agoura)

- Networking PARTY (7:00 - 9:00 PM at Regency Agoura)

DAY 3: SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2025

- Agoura (and Beyond) Film Block (10:00 AM - 12:00 PM at Agoura Rec Center)

- Free Lunch and “Breakout” Documentary Rooms (12:00 - 2:30 PM at Agoura Rec Center):
- **The Annenberg Wildlife Crossing Room**
- **Ladyface Mountain “In Film” History Room**
- **Santa Monica Mountains N.P.S. and SAMO Fund Room**

- Short Film Block (3:00 - 5:00 PM at Regency Agoura)

- Closing Feature Documentary with Q&A (5:30 - 7:30 PM at Regency Agoura)

- Closing PARTY and Awards (8:00 - 10:00 PM at Whizin Market Square)

Awards & Prizes

Every film selected will be eligible for 2 nights hotel in Agoura (outset of The Conejo Valley Tourism Board) as well as local gift cards and a variety of prizes on top of awards for the following:

Best Feature Documentary
Best Documentary Short
Best Local Interest Documentary
Best Annenberg Nature Documentary
Best Student Project

Ladyface Mountain Film Festival official selections will receive laurels and winners will receive an award handcrafted by a local artist, industry contacts and a variety of awards & prizes.

Rules & Terms

SUBMISSIONS:

1.) Ladyface Mountain Film Festival accepts short and feature-length documentaries. All genres of documentary films will be considered.
2.) Short films have a maximum length of 40 minutes.
3.) To be considered, all non-English-language films must be subtitled in English.
4.) Entry does not guarantee acceptance into the festival.
5.) Applicants may submit as many entries as they wish as long they submit a separate entry form and fee for each.
6.) There is no premiere status requirement. We accept submissions that have premiered elsewhere and may have distribution agreements already in place.
7.) By submitting your film to us, you give us the right to screen it in front of a live audience. You also give us permission to promote clips and stills from your film on social media and our website.
8.) For our first year, you can submit any documentary made between 2020 and 2025 that you have the legal right to submit.
9.) Please submit using FilmFreeway's online screener system.
10.) We cannot provide refunds.

HOW TO SUBMIT:

Please submit using FilmFreeway's online screener, using either Vimeo or Youtube.
- Vimeo with a current password-protected private link or
- YouTube as an unlisted link.

Passwords must not be changed until submissions have closed and notification of program films is announced.

Please Note that the Ladyface Mountain Film Festival cannot provide individual feedback due to the number of submissions.