Founded by pioneer Josefina Lopez (Real Women Have Curves) we are thrilled to bring back the innovative Latina film festival with a new look and venue.

The Mission of the Latina Independent Film Extravaganza is to celebrate Latina Directors and their contributions to cinema. The festival is a showcase and networking event to create a community that supports and helps connect Latina Filmmakers inspiring them to continue to make authentic Latina stories and most importantly to get hired.

Awards & Prizes

Awards will be presented but the ultimate goal is to lift up our community collectively!

Best Director Feature
Best Director Short
As well as other awards that will adjust to the program each year.

Rules & Terms

All films have to be directed by a Latina Director.

(Latina identifying is US born and Immigrants/Foriegn born Cis or Trans Women with family roots from Latin America, i.e. Mexico, Caribbean, Central America and South America. Latinas residing in the mentioned regions are welcome to apply as well.

Films which have not premiered in Los Angeles are given preferences.

ATTENTION STUDENT SUBMISSION: In order to receive the student submission fee you must email in a copy of your student ID and proof of school enrollment for spring 2022.

15 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • valentina hueck

    I was sincerely touched to be in such a supportive environment for Latinas. I left this festival with a full heart and inspiration seeing what Josefina, Iris and F**** do for our community and I know I’m not the only one.

    When people speak of inclusivity in film, truly what matters is the idea of what stories are important to tell, to listen to. Which voices matter.
    Which is why environments like this are so important! I couldn’t forget how many times I heard a wonderful Latina filmmaker confess their imposter syndrome fears. I also constantly live under the fear that simply from my background that I did not choose, I will not be able to achieve what want. Hopefully, these matters will change for the better. Seeing each other supported has left us, at least this once, leaving the cinema with pride.

    August 2023
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  • Gloria Laino

    Big praise from our film “Two Dancers One Love” to the skilled organizers of the Latina Independent Film Extravaganza. Thank you so much for empowering Latina filmmakers! So great to work with! We highly recommend this Festival!

    May 2023
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  • Angelina Villapiano

    My favorite film festival thus far. The team is extremely communicative, organized, and above and beyond hospitable. Everything ran smoothly. Screenings were well attended. Great networking opportunities. I left feeling inspired!

    May 2023
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  • Ann Valdés

    Screening my film at LIFE has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my director journey yet. Everyone is so supportive and the audience is phenomenal. I can't wait to attend again next year!

    May 2023
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  • Daniela Calvo

    "It's a miracle when a Latina directs a film" was a recurring phrase I heard over the festival weekend. Josefina Lopez, F**** Grande, and Iris Almaraz made all the Latina filmmakers – both established and young/up-and-coming – feel incredibly celebrated for our artwork, passion, and the strength to share our stories.

    After getting rejected from so many mainstream film festivals that didn't understand the message of my Latina voice, having my first college short film screened at this festival and "getting an award was enough for me to keep going," said F**** Grande, CEO of Avenida Productions, who hosted this year's festival in a full-circle moment.

    These words really resonated with me because I myself just graduated college and was getting discouraged from all the film festival rejections until I got the chance to be recognized at LIFE 2023. Being in a room full of Latina directors was incredibly inspiring and hearing each of their stories moved me to want to keep working to shed a bright light on our community.

    I will definitely be submitting to this festival again and I recommend it to all Latina directors. You will definitely leave feeling empowered and having built a new community of diverse Latina filmmakers who demand their voices to be heard.

    May 2023
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