NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA) presents the NFMLA Monthly Film Festival, a uniquely intimate opportunity that provides a filmmaker focused festival approach by an intently devoted team. The model, a monthly festival with a very small number of official selections per month, generally fewer than 20, provides filmmakers with maximum attention and commitment from the Festival audience, participants and staff. This format allows NFMLA to serve a similar number of filmmakers as most annual Festivals (average of 220 per year), while being able to dedicate its efforts to a core group every month throughout the year.

Each NFMLA Monthly Film Festival provides its official selection of filmmakers meetings with professionals, press interviews with publications such as MovieMaker Magazine, industry panels, screenings, audience Q&A sessions, networking receptions and qualification for the Best of NFMLA Awards.

The Festival boasts over 120,000 indie film supporters in the LA area and regularly has executives and creatives participate from Sony Pictures Entertainment, Amazon MGM Studios, Netflix, Warner Bros., United Talent Agency, NBCUniversal, HBO, NEON, Endeavor, STARZ, Bad Robot, Creative Artists Agency, Entertainment 360, Legendary Entertainment, 20th Century Television, Verve, Cinetic Media, Focus Features, Zero Gravity Management, AMC Studios, FilmNation, Mattel Films, Lionsgate, Searchlight Pictures, Grandview, Walt Disney Studios, Range Media Partners, Magnolia Pictures, Gravitas Ventures, Gersh, Paramount, DreamWorks, Circle Management and Production, Hulu, MACRO, Skydance, ESPN Films, and Blumhouse among an abundance of other agencies, management companies, production houses, distributors, studios, streamers and more.

Submissions are open year-round and NFMLA highly encourages filmmakers to submit their newest work as early as possible to maximize their project’s consideration window. NFMLA screens short and feature films (narrative, documentary, experimental and animation), as well as music videos and new media projects by content creators of all backgrounds throughout the year as part of our eclectic ongoing selection, in addition to our InFocus programming, which places a special emphasis on diversity, inclusion and regional representation with its spotlighted group of filmmakers each month.

Diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility and belonging within NFMLA’s programming is incredibly important, and all filmmakers are welcome and encouraged to submit their work for consideration in all upcoming NFMLA Festivals, regardless of the InFocus programming calendar. By submitting to NFMLA, you are entering consideration for all future months. However, if you are aiming to be considered for a specific InFocus Festival program, we do suggest submitting at least 4 months in advance of the program.

NFMLA is seeking submissions from filmmakers who are eager to gain access to industry professionals, audiences and resources. Our programming includes Festivals at the South Park Center in Downtown Los Angeles. NFMLA is a not-for-profit organization that champions emerging filmmakers from around the world and has screened over 4,700 films from 93+ countries. In an effort to showcase, support, educate and build relationships for next-gen filmmakers, NFMLA has rapidly expanded beyond the NFMLA Monthly Film Festival to host an array of workshops, panels, competitions and networking programs. NFMLA offers an unforgettable festival experience that helps kick start the careers of new storytellers.

NewFilmmakers Los Angeles selections are in competition for NewFilmmakers Los Angeles’ annual Best of NFMLA Awards, which take place each spring and award films played the preceding calendar year across multiple categories. All projects selected as part of the festival are in consideration for the Best of NFMLA Awards.

In addition, NFMLA awards cash grants through various NFMLA programs and initiatives such as NewNarratives, the Anthony Rhulen Film Fund and more. In 2024 NFMLA awarded over $50,000 in cash grants and prizes.

*****IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT SELECTION AND NOTIFICATION:
NewFilmmakers Los Angeles screens monthly year round. FESTIVAL DATES, NOTIFICATION DATES and DEADLINES displayed on this FilmFreeway listing are for expiration of this listing and ARE NOT our screening dates.

Runtime Policy:
Shorts must be under 40 minutes total runtime. Features must be 41 minutes minimum with a 180 minute maximum total runtime.

Completion Date Requirement:
We can only accept films that have completed post production within a maximum of 12 months from the date of their submission to the festival.
NewFilmmakers Los Angeles selects and screens completed work only - we do not consider scripts or works in progress.

Premiere Status Policy:
Premiere status is NOT required, however, films with an LA premiere status are preferred.

Distribution Policy:
As is the industry standard among many festivals, in all instances except Music Videos and ‘New Media’ programs, we generally do not screen films that have theatrical distribution nor films that have been posted online without password protection, or are available for streaming on a VOD platform (with the exception of SVOD for short films). However, we reserve the right to make exceptions to this rule on a case by case basis.

Notification Policy:
NFMLA sends decline notifications on a rolling basis, and will contact you directly by phone if your film is shortlisted to go into the next round of consideration. A phone call is just a next step in the shortlisting process and does not mean your film has been accepted. Films have only been accepted once they have been sent an Official Acceptance Notice.

Review times will vary, but please feel free to check in with us six months after your film has been submitted for an update on the status. In order to receive a reply, please submit all Submission Status Requests through the Submission Status Request Form here to receive an update within 10 business days: https://forms.gle/wetKV6DAivTi6EzW7

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Bridget Harris

    NewFilmmakers LA does what few festivals do- think about how filmmakers can elevate their ability to be professional and advocate for themselves. Blown away by the industry session Q and A's prior to the actual festival. So organized, friendly, and communicative.

    June 2025
  • I had heard filmmaker friends rave about NFMLA, and I absolutely can attest to why!

    The NFMLA team works hard to curate a unique and impactful experience for us filmmakers and it doesn't go unnoticed. From great communication, to insightful meetings with industry pros, to an enjoyable and warm festival day, NFMLA stands out.

    I loved meeting the industry professionals, and what made this type of experience different than similar offerings is that these industry folks get to know who we (filmmakers) are, and we have the chance to chat and ask questions directly in an intimate setting. It felt more personable for sure.

    The festival team also does a wonderful job with marketing and promoting the films and filmmaking teams. The event itself is lovely, with receptions, a bar, and a warm and inviting atmosphere.

    Really loved both our Q&A after the screening as well as the one- on-one interviews with Danny the next day!

    Just so many elements that make this a special experience, and I can tell the team truly cares about us filmmakers. Thank you so much NFMLA!!

    June 2025
  • Alec Goldberg

    This was one of our favorite festivals in our entire circuit. It is the only festival that had industry professionals at all of the screenings, and as a filmmaker more opportunities came from this festival than any other festival we attended. The pre-festival zoom calls were extremely informative and helpful. I highly recommend this festival to everyone!

    April 2025
  • A truly incredible festival that's one of the best in LA; we were so happy and honored to have our film's California Premiere at NFMLA. We loved spending the week getting to know our monthly cohort. The festival team goes above and beyond to help elevate the careers of the filmmakers and showcase their work.

    April 2025
  • Vinnoth Krishnan

    It was an honor to be part of NFMLA, and I highly recommend this for up-and-coming filmmakers. The value I got out of this submission and selection went well beyond just the screening and festival. Great communication. A diverse selection of films. Nice people. Networking opportunities. All in all, I am happy to have taken part in their screenings.

    April 2025