Founded by longtime residents and movie veterans alike, Film Invasion Los Angeles looks to showcase the best undiscovered movies in the heart of Los Angeles.

As an indie festival in Los Angeles, FILA emphasizes the work of filmmakers from diverse backgrounds and communities. It is our philosophy to honor their work as filmmakers and not place these filmmakers in separate categories based on race, sexual orientation, or gender identification. We have been proud to honor films from every community as Official Selections and Prize Winners, honoring their work as filmmakers and not "Black filmmakers" or "LGBTQ filmmakers" or "Women filmmakers." At FILA, all of our filmmakers are filmmakers and we honor them equally.

REGARDING COVID-19
We plan to hold FILA 2020 rain or shine. Our theater is quite small, but we will decide exactly what to do based upon what is happening in early-June. We may be able to go about business as usual or we may have to hold screenings, record Q&A's, and present awards with only filmmakers in attendance. Whether our 2020 screenings include the public or not, there will be a FILA 2020 event.

TV Series + Podcast Interviews
Filmmakers who receive Grand Jury Prizes, as well as several Official Selections, receive interviews on the "Discover Indie Film" podcast with head programmer Jeff Howard. This allows filmmakers to talk about their work and their history more extensively than a festival Q&A allows. In 2019 the TV series "Discover Indie Film" premiered on Amazon Prime Video. This series is an anthology of short films selected from the filmmakers he has interviewed on the podcast.

FILAl is proud to announce the Hollywood professionals who comprise our Board:

Mike Flanagan: Director (Oculus, Hush, Before I Wake, Ouija 2)
Jonathan Stern: Producer (Children's Hospital, Wet Hot American Summer: 10 Years Later)
Michael Lynn : Television Producer (True Hollywood Stories)
Jamie Ball : Television Executive (Disney Channel)
Zac Reeder : Entertainment Executive (Head of Domestic Distribution at Electric Entertainment)
Shannon Makhanian: Casting Director (The Brothers Bloom, Unknown, Mysterious Skin)
Dan Mirvish: Producer/Director (co-founder of the Slamdance Film Festival)
Glen Reynolds: Producer/Manager (Conversations with Other Women, Night Train)

Awards & Prizes

GRAND JURY PRIZES (chosen by selection jury)
Best Feature Film - Narrative
Best Feature Film - Documentary
Best Short Film – Drama
Best Short Film – Comedy
Best Short Film – Horror
Best Short Film – Documentary
Best Short Film - Experimental/Arthouse
Best Music Video
Best Director, Feature Film
Best Director, Short Film
Best Actress in a Lead Role
Best Actor in a Lead Role
Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Best Performance by a Full Cast
Best Screenplay
Best Cinematography
Best Art Direction
Best Screenplay (Produced)
Best Screenplay (Unproduced)

AUDIENCE AWARDS (audience selections)
Audience Award, Feature Film
Audience Award, Short Film
Audience Award, Documentary Film

FILMMAKERS AWARDS (Jury of filmmakers from past festivals)
Outstanding Short Films
Outstanding Directors
Outstanding Screenplay
Outstanding Acting, Cast
Outstanding Acting, Individual
Outstanding Cinematography

PROGRAMMER'S PRIZE
(festival programmer's discretion)

Rules & Terms

Categories:

Feature Length Films (narrative & documentary): run time over 45 minutes in length

Short film (narrative & documentary): run time of 45 minutes or less.

Screenplay (Movie and/or TV): no page minimum or maximum, standard format and standard title page recommended.

Rules:

Film entries must be sent on DVD or via online digital submission of DVD quality or better.

Script entries must be uploaded as PDF or Final Draft files.

The director and/or producer of each project are welcome to be part of a Q&A session immediately following their screening. Cast are also welcome to participate.

Participants agree that their project and material related to their project may be used and/or published in the Film Invasion L.A. program, website and for promotional purposes related to Film Invasion L.A.

Copies of movies, scripts and promotional materials submitted to Film Invasion L.A. are not required to be returned to their owner.

If selected, all commercial/private property including all trademark/copyrighted materials shown or recorded on the project is the responsibility of the filmmaker. Film Invasion L.A. does not take responsibility for any infringement of copywritten materials.

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

Rules are subject to change at any time without prior notice.
24 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Ashley Campbell

    Jeff Howard, the festival programmer, is one of the best supporters of indie film that I've encountered, and all around just a good human. I first met him through Film Invasion LA, then also with another film at the Sherman Oaks Film Festival. He also has a podcast and indie film channel set up on Amazon, and he's fantastic at including alumni from both of these festivals there. He has even helped promote films from both FILA and the Sherman Oaks FF with his Discover Indie Film TV series out on Amazon. Again, an incredible support to the indie film community.

    January 2020
    Helpful
  • Steven Doxey

    Jeff, the founder of the festival, is one of the more genuine and receptive people I've had the pleasure of working with. My feature film "Artifice" played at the festival. Jeff was not only communicative, but went the extra mile in inviting me to a podcast, and continually tried to help me network with other filmmakers, and be as helpful as possible in promoting my film. He's someone who is passionate about film, (he's a talented filmmaker himself), and a great example of what other film festival organizers should be. I would highly recommend this festival to other filmmakers. Thanks for a great and memorable experience Jeff!

    January 2020
    Helpful
  • Jonah Mazer

    Film Invasion LA is one of the best film festivals I go to every year. I have had numerous films in the festival which have been received well by the festivals audiences. The people who run this festival are amazing.

    January 2020
    Helpful
  • Ryan Larkin

    I've attended Film Invasion LA both a filmmaker and a guest. It's an excellent place to find compelling films and have discussions about them. The organizer Jeff goes out of his way to accommodate the filmmakers and give them a platform to speak - I would not hesitate to submit my work to him again.

    January 2020
    Helpful
  • Lorenzo Sterzi

    Une très belle expérience. Merci d’avoir choisi mon film! Au plaisir de participer à nouveau!

    January 2020
    Helpful