WEST HOLLYWOOD INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

Official Announcement — A New Chapter Begins

Welcome to the West Hollywood International Film Festival 2026, a bold new era in independent cinema.

This year marks a historic milestone as the West Hollywood International Film Festival officially merges with the Cine Choice Awards International, uniting two creative platforms under one shared vision: to elevate independent filmmakers and connect global storytelling with the heart of the film industry in Hollywood, California.

Together, we are building a stronger international stage — one that celebrates artistic excellence, industry innovation, and the fearless voices shaping the future of cinema.

A Global Celebration of Independent Film

West Hollywood International Film Festival stands as a vibrant celebration of independent filmmaking and creative discovery. Our festival brings together filmmakers, producers, investors, and audiences for an immersive cinematic experience dedicated to storytelling without borders.

We believe film has the power to inspire change, spark dialogue, and connect cultures. More than a festival, the West Hollywood International Film Festival is a growing global community — a meeting ground where emerging artists gain exposure, industry professionals discover new talent, and visionary projects find opportunities for development and distribution.

With this new partnership, the festival expands its international reach while strengthening its presence in one of the world’s most influential creative capitals.

Where Storytelling Takes Center Stage

The festival showcases a carefully curated program of exceptional independent cinema from around the world, including:

Thought-provoking dramas

Innovative documentaries

Bold experimental works

Compelling thrillers

Visionary short films

Each selection reflects our commitment to originality, artistic courage, and cinematic excellence.

Festival Highlights
Official Partnership with Sceneum

West Hollywood International Film Festival proudly partners with Sceneum, a global streaming platform dedicated to independent filmmakers. Selected and nominated films will have the opportunity to join Sceneum and reach worldwide audiences beyond the festival stage.

Film Screenings

Experience diverse stories that challenge conventions and introduce powerful new perspectives. Every screening is designed to immerse audiences in the creative vision of tomorrow’s leading filmmakers.

Filmmaker Q&A Sessions

Engage directly with directors, writers, and producers through interactive discussions exploring creative processes, production challenges, and artistic inspiration.

Industry Panels

Insightful conversations with industry professionals covering financing, distribution, festival strategy, and the rapidly evolving landscape of independent cinema.

Networking & Industry Connections

The festival creates meaningful opportunities for collaboration, connecting filmmakers with producers, investors, distributors, and creative partners.

Join the Cine Choice International Community

By participating in the West Hollywood International Film Festival, filmmakers become part of a global creative network dedicated to supporting independent voices. Our mission extends beyond awards — we actively promote projects, encourage collaboration, and help bridge the gap between artistic vision and industry opportunity.

We are committed to creating a platform where bold stories thrive, careers begin, and cinematic voices reach audiences worldwide.

The West Hollywood International Film Festival is not just a festival — it is a movement for the future of independent cinema.

Meet our judges:

1. Arsen Diushekeev
2. Austin Tremblay
3. Emily Roberts
4. Gem Ren
5. Marielene Jones
6. Gulim Sadigozha
7. Katai Mutale
8. Neelin Chakraborty
9. Datta Chittajallu
10. Sergio Hödar
11. Naimah Hawsah
12. Aayush Gaur
13. Vedant Chavan

Awards & Prizes

Prizes and Recognition

Sceneum Partnership Opportunity
Selected and award-winning films will gain the exclusive opportunity to join Sceneum, a global streaming platform dedicated to independent cinema. This includes:

Worldwide streaming of your film

Monetization opportunities through subscriptions, ads, and rentals

Access to a network of investors and film professionals

Potential for expanded distribution and industry partnerships

Gold Laurel
Winners in each category will receive an official Gold Laurel, symbolizing excellence and achievement. This emblem may be proudly displayed on film posters, trailers, and other promotional materials.

Certificate of Achievement
All winners will be presented with a professionally designed Certificate of Achievement, honoring their exceptional performance and contribution to the festival.

Festival Screening & Q&A

Only films that win in their respective categories will be selected for official festival screening.

Filmmakers whose films are screened will have the opportunity to participate in a Q&A session with the audience, providing insights into their creative process and engaging with festival attendees.

Screening notifications and updates will be sent separately, along with instructions for attending the festival and participating in the Q&A.

Rules & Terms

Rules & Terms:

1. Eligibility:

The festival accepts submissions from filmmakers worldwide. Films of all genres are welcome, including but not limited to:

Drama, Comedy, Action, Thriller, Horror, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Romance, Documentary, Animation, Experimental, Musical, and Historical.

All submitted works must be original and the submitting party must hold all necessary rights and permissions for the film.

2. Submission Requirements:

Format:
Films must be submitted in high-definition digital format. Accepted formats include MP4, MOV, or AVI. Preferred resolution is 1920×1080 (Full HD) or higher.

Press Kit Materials (Required):

Film synopsis (up to 300 words)

Director biography (up to 200 words)

Full cast and crew credits

Minimum three (3) high-resolution stills (minimum 1920×1080)

Trailer or teaser (if available)

Incomplete submissions may not be considered.

Deadlines:
All entries must be submitted by the deadlines listed on FilmFreeway. Late submissions will not be accepted unless officially extended by the festival.

3. Rights & Permissions

By submitting a film, the filmmaker grants the festival a non-exclusive, royalty-free right to use submitted materials (including trailers, clips, stills, and press materials) strictly for festival promotion, marketing, and publicity purposes across all media platforms.

Filmmakers grant the festival non-exclusive screening rights for official festival presentations, including:

In-person festival screenings

Official online festival showcases

Streaming on the affiliated platform Cineloom.net during festival programming or promotional windows.

The filmmaker retains full ownership and copyright of the film at all times.

4. Selection Process

All submissions are reviewed by a selection committee composed of industry professionals. Films are evaluated based on artistic merit, originality, storytelling, and technical quality.

Official Selection

Films may receive Official Selection status during the initial review phase and will receive official festival laurels.

Official Selection does not automatically guarantee screening at the festival.

Screening Program

Only films selected as category winners or finalists may be included in the official public screening lineup. Selected filmmakers will receive a separate notification confirming screening status.

Films not selected for screening will retain their Official Selection recognition.

5. Exhibition

Selected films may be exhibited as part of the festival’s annual program, including physical screenings and official digital showcases. Participation does not constitute a distribution agreement or transfer of rights.

6. Legal Responsibility

The submitter confirms that:

They hold all necessary copyrights, licenses, and permissions for all content included in the film.

The film does not infringe upon any third-party rights.

The filmmaker agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the festival, its organizers, partners, and sponsors against any claims arising from the submitted material.

7. Attendance

Filmmakers whose films are not selected for screening may still request tickets to attend festival events, subject to availability.

8. Agreement

By submitting to the festival, applicants acknowledge that they have read and agreed to all Rules & Terms listed above.

Filmmakers retain full copyright ownership of their work and grant the festival and its affiliated platforms non-exclusive permission to exhibit and promote submitted materials in accordance with these terms.

For questions or additional information:
cineloomfest@gmail.com

5 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Chris Givens

    First Rate Festival. Great communication throughout the process. Our Director and an Actor attended and had a wonderful experience. Our Short OCEANSIDERS, won Best Horror and Best Short Film and we are truly honored and humbled. Thank you. We definitely will be back.

    February 2026
    Helpful
  • Kit Wilson

    Outstanding event with professional service at all turns

    January 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much for your kind words! We truly appreciate your support and are delighted to hear you enjoyed the event and our service. We look forward to welcoming you again at future screenings and celebrations.

  • Blake Ridder

    Incredible experience, lovely people and organized very well.

    February 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much for your kind words! We're thrilled to hear you had such an incredible experience. It’s always a pleasure to host amazing people like you, and we’re glad you felt everything was well organized. Hope to see you again at future events!

  • Emily Roberts

    The Cine Choice Award Festival was incredibly well organized. The theater was excellent: great projection, sound, and atmosphere, making it a perfect place to showcase films.
    Beyond the screenings, I had fantastic networking opportunities, connecting with talented filmmakers and industry professionals.
    I highly recommend it and look forward to submitting again!

    February 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much for your kind words and thoughtful review. We truly appreciate your support and are thrilled to hear that your experience with the Cine Choice Awards was a positive one. Your feedback means a great deal to us as we strive to create a welcoming and impactful space for the celebration of film.

  • Yeon Choi

    I am truly honored and grateful to have my film, Memories of the Little Pond, screened at the Cine Choice Awards Film Festival—I only wish I could attend in person! My heartfelt thanks go to the festival for recognizing my film as the Best Short Animation. The communication throughout has been outstanding!

    February 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    We are so glad to hear that you enjoyed your experience with the Cine Choice Awards. Your support plays a crucial role in making the festival such a memorable event, and we are truly grateful for it.

    We sincerely hope to see you in person next year and look forward to welcoming you back for another fantastic edition of the awards. Thank you once again for being part of our community, and for helping make the Cine Choice Awards a success.