Like it's home city, Long Beach Film Festival is big enough to move the world, but small enough to feel connected.

Join us at the historic Art Theatre Long Beach for a weekend of films and filmmaker gatherings built around conversation, connection, and community.

Located in Los Angeles County, Long Beach sits at the crossroads of the LA film industry and a fiercely independent creative community of its own. It's more than backdrop; it’s a city where global commerce meets local creativity, blending the energy of one of the world’s busiest ports with the charm of a culturally vibrant community.

Our festival celebrates Long Beach’s unique dual identity and invites filmmakers from across the industry to become part of this growing creative force. We’re here to amplify diverse voices and show that Long Beach is not just a location to film, but a place to belong and create something truly extraordinary.

Awards & Prizes

The Long Beach Filmmaker Award & The LBFF Audience Awards

Rules & Terms

We DO NOT require premiere status and will consider films that have been made available for online viewing or have screened in Los Angeles.

Every submitted film will be viewed in its entirety by member(s) of our selection team.

Films shot in the City of Long Beach, or whose director, writer, producer, or lead cast are Long Beach residents, are eligible to submit in the Local Long Beach category.

Students are welcome and should include school information in their cover letter.

All submitted material must be the original work of the author(s) aside from copyrighted music (which we accept).

Music videos, screen-dance, and experimentally constructed films should be submitted under the experimental category. Music videos may be spec.

We accept material from anywhere in the world. All submitted material must be in English or with English subtitles.

Entry fees are non-refundable. No refunds will be issued for any reason.

Contest applicants must accept without reservations the decisions rendered by the competition.

We do not provide screening fees.

Upon invitation, participants will be contacted via email by the Print Traffic Coordinator with format confirmation, exhibition details, and delivery instructions.

We have the right to NOT award in any category if we are unable to make a selection based on our panels scores.

This year, we are accepting films completed on or after January 1, 2023.