The Collaborative Film Festival was founded in 2018.

The Collaborative Film Festival is sponsored by The Collaborative and celebrates the work of actors as artists and content creators.

This one of a kind festival celebrates not only the actors that bring stories to life on the screen through character, but the actors that are venturing beyond performance to write, direct and produce.

The Collaborative is a Los Angeles based non-profit educational institution dedicated to promoting the artistic growth of its 100 members by providing opportunities in education, production and communal creative engagement.

Conceived and run by 100 working actors who come together through an intensive audition process, The Collaborative is built by actors, for actors, and is run by actors. We are constantly striving for new ways to provide opportunities not only for our members, but our extended artistic community.

The First Annual Collaborative Film Festival, exclusively celebrated the work of our members at the Downtown Independent Theater in Los Angeles, and garnered industry attention for both the films and the organization itself. Building on that success, The Collaborative Film Festival is returning for a second year expanding its slate of films, and broadening its artistic circle.

Films screened have gone on to screen and win accolades at Cleveland, Palm Springs, Pittsburgh Film Festival and more.

Offering unique meet & greet opportunities for filmmakers, eclectic screening blocks, and a final holiday/closing party, The Collaborative Film Festival is an opportunity to screen your film in the cultural hub of Downtown Los Angeles and be introduced to a community of actors and artists creating bold, innovative work.

The Collaborative Film Festival is one of the only Film Festivals in the world to focus on and reward the work of Actors.

We recognize the value actors bring, not only to the screen in performance, but behind the camera, as writers, directors and producers. The Collaborative wants to recognize their contribution in every facet of the creative process. As such, all films / web series must have an actor in one of the following roles: director, producer, writer.

Our jury is made up of a few select Collaborative members, as well as members of our Advisory Board and a celebrity guest.

We award prizes in the following categories:

Best Actor
Best Actress
Best Supporting Actor
Best Supporting Actress
Best Ensemble

Best Director
Best Screenplay
Best Short Film
Best Web Series Pilot

Audience Choice Award

To apply:

1. All films / web series must run under 30 mins in length.
2. All films / web series must have been completed no earlier than January 2018.
3. All films / web series must have an actor (and/or stunt performer) in one of the following roles: director, producer, writer.
4. All films and web series must include in their cover letter WHY they qualify for our festival, and which roles in production were filled by actors.
5. All films / web series must be narrative.
6. All films / web series must be submitted via online screener ONLY.
7. Web series submissions must include the pilot and may include multiple episodes, as long as the total running time remains under 30 mins.
8. We do not accept subsequent cuts or more complete versions of submitted films or webseries after they have been submitted, changing or updating the originally submitted link is not accepted.

The Selection Process:

1. Submissions are reviewed and selected by our membership under the following criteria:
- Meets the basic qualifications.
- Quality of narrative and production values.

2. The Collaborative endeavors to complete all selection procedures by November 30th, 2019 and inform all submitting parties, in writing, if their film has been accepted or not after that time. Successful submissions will receive a Filmmaker Festival Packet that will include: important information on shipping the DCP to the Festival, press and publicity, guest accreditation, contact information and how to make the most of participating in the Festival.

3. Screenings are scheduled at the discretion of The Collaborative. Whilst every effort will be made to adhere to the published schedule, The Collaborative reserves the right to make changes at any time for any reason. The Collaborative will not be liable for any costs claimed as a result of a change in scheduling.

The Acceptance Process:

1. If selected you will be asked to sign an Acceptance Agreement within five (5) business days of initial contact. Failure to do so forfeits acceptance.

2. All commercial/private property including all trademark and copyrighted materials shown or recorded on the project is the responsibility of the filmmaker. The Collaborative Film Festival will not take responsibility for any infringement of copyrighted materials.

3. Official selections will be asked to provide a DCP ten days prior to the festival. Please do not submit if you're not able to provide a DCP for screening purposes.

4. Filmmakers agree that their film, or clips from it, and all other material related to their project may be used and/or published in the event program, The Collaborative website, social networking sites, blog, and for any promotional purposes which The Collaborative deems appropriate.

5. Filmmakers promise to provide The Collaborative with a full electronic press kit that must include a trailer, images for web and print, cast & crew information, and film synopsis. We can't promote you without your help.

6. The cost of delivery and pick-up of all materials is the responsibility of the filmmaker.

7. The Collaborative holds no responsibility for lost or damaged films or promotional materials. The utmost care will be given with regard to films and promotional materials, but it is solely up to the filmmaker to take full responsibility.

8. Submitting to The Collaborative through FilmFreeway.com confirms that you have read, understand and agree to the The Collaborative Terms of Entry.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • lasissina1 .

    What an amazing value! Hospitality and networking was top notch. The quality level of the films selected for this unique festival featuring actors who also write, direct and produce was simply outstanding!

    January 2020
  • Foster Wilson

    Just a wonderful festival! A passionate group of people who are incredibly detail-oriented. The Downtown Independent is a perfect venue, great size house, and superb screening quality. The other shorts films were all top notch. The programmers have great taste. We had a great house for our screening and Collaborative knows how to throw a party! Great red carpet, awesome people, booze, great awards show. Would recommend to everyone!

    January 2020
  • Highly recommend this fest! The quality of the films was very high, awesome filmmaking panels, very organized Q and As, and great parties to top it all off. Plus the screenings were well attended. everything a festival should be!

    December 2019
  • karisa bruin

    A terrific festival especially geared toward actor-creators! The selections were all of high quality and there was a wide range of work. They set up a super nice lounge for filmmakers and hosted a killer mixer at a brewery. Highly recommend, especially for actors to connect with other actors who are creating work.

    December 2019
  • Cassidy Davis

    This was an incredible festival! The quality of work that was accepted was inspiring, and it was great networking as everyone was a multi-hyphenate. It was also very, very well organized. This was a festival made BY filmmakers FOR filmmakers. I can't recommend it enough.

    December 2019