Los Angeles Film Awards (LAFA) is a monthly film and screenplay competition for filmmakers worldwide.
LAFA is one of the highest-rated festivals on FilmFreeway, with over 1000 five-star reviews.

Our mission is to promote films, and be another step up in the filmmakers' careers.

Every month, our jury will award the best films through private screenings, and make a special interview with the winner of the Best Picture award. Some of the monthly winners will earn an annual nomination.

* All winners receive a free certificate (PDF/JPG file, ready for print). 

Partner festivals:
Top Shorts www.filmfreeway.com/ts
Festigious www.filmfreeway.com/festigious
Actors Awards www.filmfreeway.com/actorsawards
NY Film Awards www.filmfreeway.com/ny
FCA (Filmmakers Connect Awards) www.filmfreeway.com/fc

Awards & Prizes

Best Picture
Best Narrative Feature
Best Narrative Short
Best Drama
Best Comedy
Best Horror
Best Thriller
Best Action
Best Sci-Fi
Best Fantasy Film
Best Crime Film
Best Mystery Film
Best Parody
Best Western
Best Sitcom
Best Film Noir
Best Virtual Reality
Best Documentary
Best Animation
Best Microfilm
Best Indie Film
Best Web Series
Best TV Series
Best Web/TV Pilot
Best Music Video
Best Experimental Film
Best Inspirational Film
Best Director
Best Actor
Best Actress
Best Actor in an Indie Film
Best Actress in an Indie Film
Best Child/Young Actor
Best Child/Young Actress
Best Supporting Actor
Best Supporting Actress
Best Duo
Best Ensemble
Best Cinematography
Best Editing
Best Original Score
Best First Time Director (Feature)
Best First Time Director (Short)
Best Student Film
Best TV Series
Best Web/TV Pilot
Best Song in a Film
Best Sound Design
Best Visual Effects
Best Trailer
Best Original Story
Best Television Script
Best Screenplay Short
Best Screenplay Feature
Best First Time Screenwriter
Best Drama Screenplay
Best Comedy Screenplay
Best Thriller Screenplay
Best Horror Screenplay
Best Fantasy Screenplay
Best Action Screenplay
Best Sci-Fi Screenplay

Rules & Terms

* What we’re looking for? Story-based films, which can be in the form of narrative (fiction), documentary (non fiction), or animation.

* By submitting your film, take note that:
- You agree to use parts of your film (including trailer/teaser/film poster/stills) for promotional purpose.
- Entry fees are non-refundable.
- Multiple entries are allowed for each filmmaker and each entry may be entered in multiple categories.
- The films will not be available online.
- We promote some of the films by uploading the trailers/teasers/posters/production stills.

* We do not accept:
1. Amateur videos
2. Extremist or propaganda content from religious or political organizations
3. Films involving politics / films promoting political agenda
4. Films with a poor production standard (bad sound, lack of subtitles/captions for non-English films, video resolution less than 720p HD)
5. Films which were made before 2010
6. Films that depict or include any cruelty to animals.

LAFA is a FilmFreeway Gold festival, a Magic Productions Int. & Her Scores brand, and a partner festival of Top Shorts, Festigious, Actors Awards, NY Film Awards and FilmCon Awards.
1119 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Yanet Pajaro

    Excellent work; thank you for your support and contribution to the industry.

    June 2026
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  • George R Strayton

    The festival kept me constantly updated on the status of my submission. Their communication overall was fantastic. And everything went exactly according to schedule. Highly recommend!

    June 2026
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  • Greg Nichols

    Really happy to have had Serengeti awarded Best Thriller Screenplay for May ‘26. As an unrepresented screenwriter that kind of validation is so important!

    June 2026
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  • Franco Ceredi

    The Los Angeles Film Awards has been an exceptional experience from start to finish.
    As a filmmaker, I truly appreciated the clarity, professionalism, and care with which the festival handled every step of the process.
    The communication was always timely and warm, and the selection process felt genuinely attentive.
    Receiving the Best Indie Feature award for my film Call Me Joe was an incredible honor — not only for the recognition itself, but for the way the festival celebrates independent voices with sincerity and respect.
    I’m grateful for this experience and highly recommend the festival to independent filmmakers looking for a supportive and well‑run platform.

    June 2026
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  • Fabiano Roggio

    I have been truly satisfied and grateful for the engagement and recognition my short film received throughout every stage of the festival, from being nominated to ultimately receiving an Honourable Mention.

    As an Italian living in Ireland, being selected for a festival in Los Angeles is one of the best things that has happened to me in 2026. It is an achievement that means a great deal to me, both personally and professionally.

    The film is a student project, but from the very beginning I decided to invest all my time, energy, and resources into creating something meaningful. I wanted to tell a story that mattered to me and create a film that I would genuinely enjoy watching myself. Throughout both the shooting and the editing process, I pushed myself creatively and worked hard to bring that vision to life.

    Beyond building a portfolio, this project has become a piece of work that truly represents who I am as a filmmaker at this stage of my journey. Having it recognized on an international stage is incredibly rewarding and motivates me to keep creating and growing.

    June 2026
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