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NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA) is a non-profit 501(c) 3 organization designed to showcase innovative works by emerging filmmakers from around the world, providing the Los Angeles community of entertainment professionals and film goers with a constant surge of monthly screening events. NFMLA provides a forum where filmmakers can be recognized for their contributions, have open audience discussions about their projects and connect with industry professionals for insight on distribution, production, acquisition and representation.

Each month, NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA) presents red carpet screenings of documentary, short and feature films that have been submitted from all over the world, followed by a Q&A with each films director. The program also offers a special after party so the audience can meet the filmmakers and incredible talent involved.

NFMLA showcases films by filmmakers of all backgrounds throughout the year in addition to its special InFocus programming which celebrates diversity, inclusion and region. All filmmakers are welcome and encouraged to submit their projects which will be considered for all upcoming NFMLA Festivals, regardless of the InFocus programming.

Awards & Prizes

Best of NFMLA Awards

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.

Best of NFMLA Awards Requirement:
All projects selected as part of the festival are in consideration for the Best of NFMLA Awards. If you are selected as part of the festival and nominated for the Best of NFMLA Awards, you will be required to attend the Awards show or send a representative in your place.

Rules & Terms

*****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.

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: https://forms.gle/wetKV6DAivTi6EzW7
15 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Marissa Chibas

    This is any outstanding festival. I was connected to industry pros and made great contacts with fellow Latinx filmmakers. The screening and panel could not have been o0f a higher level. Larry, Andrew, and the entire NFMLA team go out of their way to support the filmmakers, and they continually send us potential opportunities as alum of NFMLA. I am very grateful for this unique organization.

    February 2020
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  • Mary-Lyn Chambers

    By far one of the top festivals we attended with our short film TIJUANA. They set us up meetings with industry heavy-weights. No festival has done this for us at this level. They do their festival monthly, so your film is not programmed up against something else. They also organized an in-depth interview with each filmmaker with Filmmaker Magazine. And you meet other wonderful filmmakers. You leave this festival with REAL industry contacts and a fantastic video interview. They understand what filmmakers need from a festival. Astonishing that so many film festivals have no clue or don't care. The staff is the best. Dedicated to you as a filmmaker during the festival and beyond. I wish I could give this festival ten stars. Just loved it,

    February 2020
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  • Jason Cooper

    A great festival from top to bottom. Not only is the screening. The NewFilmmakers team really puts on some excellent networking events and is generally interested in the success of their films and filmmakers.

    February 2020
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  • Maha Al-Saati

    I love this monthly festival. They focus on connecting you to industry professionals, in addition to giving you a YouTube interview with Stage 5 / MovieMaker magazine. It is well attended, the venue they screen at is great. I've also had the privilege of having one of my films screen at their program in partnership with The Academy, which was great! The audience are great, the team is very friendly and helpful! They will support you beyond the festival.

    To make the most out of this festival, you would have to be there in LA to attend the industry meetings prior to the screening and the interview and make the most of what NFMLA has to offer. Thank you to this amazing team!

    February 2020
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  • William Conlin

    I can't find enough positive words to describe NewFilmmakers Los Angeles. Our screening was absolutely fantastic! We had a full house for our screening followed by a wonderful Q&A and reception. We networked, we celebrated and NFMLA had a direct hand in our getting distribution. We screened at NewFilmmakers less than a year ago and our film is already in wide release to the whole of North America. Don't miss out on your chance to take part in they amazing festival!
    -William Conlin
    Director
    Making Apes: The Artists Who Changed Film

    February 2020
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