Welcome to the Lee Strasberg Film Festival, a three-day acting oriented celebration of independent cinema and exceptional acting, set in the vibrant hubs of Los Angeles and New York. As a platform for both emerging talents and established voices, our festival showcases the best in narrative short and feature films from around the globe.
Born from the legacy of the esteemed Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute®, our festival pays homage to the legendary acting coach whose teachings have shaped generations of performers. With roots tracing back to the Group Theatre in 1931, through the Actors Studio, and into the present through The Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute, our institute stands as a beacon of excellence in actor training. Alumni who trained with Lee Strasberg or studied at The Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute include: Laura Dern, Alec Baldwin, Scarlett Johansson, Angelina Jolie, Marilyn Monroe, Matt Dillon, Harvey Keitel, Uma Thurman, to name a few.
At the Lee Strasberg Film Festival, we place a special emphasis on actor performances, recognizing the heart and soul of storytelling on screen. However, we also celebrate the collaborative efforts of filmmakers by presenting awards for best film, best director, and more.
With a commitment to quality, each edition of our festival curates a selection of at least 50 films that captivate, inspire, and provoke thought. Our aim is to provide audiences with an unforgettable cinematic experience, filled with diverse perspectives and captivating performances.
Proudly partnered with The Bigger Screen, Connecting Cultures Program, Producer's Night Los Angeles, and The Tarkovski Grant, the Lee Strasberg Film Festival is more than just a showcase of films—it's a convergence of creativity, culture, and community. Join us as we celebrate the art of cinema and the enduring legacy of Lee Strasberg.
All selected filmmakers will receive The Tarkovski Grant, a film festival submission fee waiver package with an average value of about $500. This not only saves you a lot of money, but it also recognizes your work as something to watch for during the selection procedure, making a selection with another partner film festival more likely - but of course, never guaranteed. The Tarkovski Grant supports hundreds of filmmakers each year in their challenging journeys as independent filmmakers, by promoting existing films, no matter the genre, style or length. The Tarkovski Grant is supported by film festivals from all over the world. Find out more here: www.thetarkovskigrant.org
All selected films are also automatically in the running for Producer's Night.
Producer's Night is an opportunity for independent filmmakers to have their work screened to a private group of elite Hollywood producers. For many directors, it could mean their ticket to the mainstream. The exclusive screening will show the best of independent cinema from the past year's film festivals at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute in West Hollywood. The only way to be considered for this by being selected at one of the partner film festivals. The Lee Strasberg Film Festival is a proud partner film festival of Producer's Night. More information: www.producersnight.com
The selected films are viewed by the Festival Jury and winners are picked for a lineup of honors and awards.
Best of Fest will receive a cash prize.