đź’° $5,000 Production Grant

For Best Short Documentary

Presented by Breakwater Studios
Academy Award®–winning team

Deadline: April 15
⸻

All film festivals feel the same — this one is built differently.

The Los Feliz Film Fest (LFFF) is rooted in Los Angeles, where cinema began. That legacy drives a simple idea: a festival should not end with a screening — it should move filmmakers forward.

LFFF is designed as a next-step platform. Every main category winner receives one dedicated mentor — an experienced filmmaker who has already navigated the path after a festival win. The mentorship includes a small number of focused sessions, held via Zoom or in person, depending on location, availability, and mutual agreement. The focus is simple: what comes next — development, strategy, and turning your project into your next opportunity. Practical, honest, and tailored.

We keep it real — this is not about celebrity access. It’s about relevant guidance from filmmakers who’ve been there.

Awards structure:
• One winner per main category
• Additional special awards are given at jury discretion and may include multiple winners

Following a strong 2025 edition, LFFF 2026 is now open for submissions. The festival focuses on short films only:
• Narrative shorts up to 15 minutes
• Documentary shorts up to 30 minutes
• Categories include Drama, Comedy, Documentary, Genre, 60-Second Shorts, and Emerging Filmmakers & Students

The event will take place April 26–27, 2026 (with a possible third day), across two venues in Los Angeles — Skylight Theatre and Barnsdall Park Gallery Theatre — bringing together filmmakers, audiences, and industry voices in an intimate, focused setting.

If you’re looking for more than a screening — if you’re looking for momentum — this is your festival.

Screenings will feature winners of the main categories.
Certificates are presented in person only and are not held or shipped.

Awards & Prizes

Screenings will feature winners of the main categories.
Certificates are presented in person only and are not held or shipped.

FESTIVAL AWARDS

(Each winner receives a mentor)

🏆 Best Short Film
🏆 Best Drama
🏆 Best Comedy
🏆 Best Documentary
🏆 Best Genre
🏆 Best 60-Second
🏆 Best International
🏆 Best Emerging Filmmaker (incl. students)

Festival Awards are presented at the Barnsdall Gallery Theatre.

⸻
LOS FELIZ AWARDS

Awards for films connected to Los Feliz, across multiple categories, based on this year’s selections.

🏆 Best Los Feliz Film
🏆 Best Performance (multiple winners possible)
🏆 Best Director
🏆 Best Screenplay
🏆 Best Comedy
🏆 Best Drama

Los Feliz Awards are presented at the Skylight Theatre.
⸻

SPECIAL AWARDS

Jury discretion. Multiple winners possible.

🏅 Director
🏅 Performance
🏅 Screenplay
🏅 Cinematography
🏅 Editing
🏅 Breakthrough Filmmaker

Screenings will feature winners of the main categories.
Certificates are presented in person only and are not held or shipped.

Rules & Terms

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Please review before submitting:
• You must own all rights to your film
• All genres welcome
• Runtime: 1 minute (60-Second), up to 15 minutes (narrative), up to 30 minutes (documentary)
• English subtitles required if not in English
• Students must provide valid ID
• You may submit multiple films and multiple categories
• No premiere requirement — prior screenings are allowed
• Films previously submitted to LFFF are not eligible
• The festival may decline any submission
• Awards are determined by the jury and may vary depending on submissions; jury decisions are final
• Selected films cannot be withdrawn
• Submission fees are non-refundable
• Applicants must be 18+
• Main category winners receive a dedicated mentor — sessions via Zoom or in person, depending on location, availability, and agreement
• By submitting, you grant LFFF the right to use excerpts (trailers, teasers, stills) for festival promotion without additional compensation
• Full films will not be shared online
• You retain full ownership of your work
• Awards are presented in person only (no shipping)
• LFFF may update rules, dates, venues, or awards at any time without notice

⸻

TERMS

By submitting, you agree to LFFF’s Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy:
https://losfelizfilm.org/terms-conditions
https://losfelizfilm.org/privacy-policy

⸻

FEES, TICKETS & REFUNDS

LFFF operates with limited resources. All contributions support the festival and are generally non-refundable.
• Submissions: all fees are final — including Early, Regular, Late, withdrawn, or disqualified entries
• Tickets & Events: non-refundable unless an event is canceled; rescheduled events honor existing tickets
• Donations: final and non-refundable
• Merchandise: returns accepted only for defective items within 14 days; return shipping covered if defect is LFFF’s responsibility

Screenings will feature winners of the main categories.
Certificates are presented in person only and are not held or shipped.
16 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Hongyu An

    We were really excited that our short film Apple was selected as the winner of the Best International Short in this year's Los Feliz Film Fest. It was a pity that the principle team was not in the US so we couldn't attend the event, but we really appreciate the recognition from the panel, and we had really good communications with the organizers. Would definitely love to join in this event again when we have other projects.

    May 2026
    Helpful
  • Srdjan Mitrović Hitch

    Los Feliz Film Fest is one of those rare festivals that feels both ambitious and genuinely personal at the same time.

    From communication to the actual events, everything was clear, fast, and very filmmaker-friendly. The screenings were well organized, the venues had real character (Skylight and Barnsdall), and the atmosphere felt like a true community rather than a “submission system.”

    Having Breakwater Studios involved added real credibility and weight to the festival, and their presence elevated the entire experience.

    The team clearly cares about filmmakers. The certificates were beautifully designed and became a real highlight for many creators.

    It’s a young festival, but already has a strong identity and energy behind it. Looking forward to seeing how it grows.

    Highly recommend submitting.

    April 2026
    Helpful
  • Charles Thomas

    Thank you to the Los Feliz Film Festival for believing in our film CumDrop! It was an honor to receive accolades alongside the other amazing filmmakers. This is a great festival that we hope continues to thrive and grow in the years to come. Looking forward to next year!

    April 2026
    Helpful
  • John Stapleton

    We had an amazing time. This is a great film festival that felt intimate and connected to the community. Supported by the city, and really spoke to an interesting crowd of artists. The venue is incredible. Happy we attended

    April 2026
    Helpful
  • Katharine Henner

    Absolute stunner of a festival! I felt so warmly received as a filmmaker. There was a big band to greet us at the entrance at Skylight Theatre which set the mood to a high vibe celebration. It was an honor to also receive awards from the Council Members and participate in a Q&A. I enjoyed the film screenings and also networking with the filmmakers and members of the arts councils who all attended the after parties. Everything was walkable and well attended. It feels like they’ve really created a community here.

    April 2026
    Helpful