Film Invasion Los Angeles

Film Invasion Los Angeles is celebrating its TENTH YEAR! Our festival showcases the best undiscovered films possible in a beautiful, state-of-the-art theater with amazing projection and luxurious leather recliners!

FI-LA embraces the work of filmmakers from diverse backgrounds and communities. It is our philosophy to honor their work as filmmakers and not place their work 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 Award Winners, honoring their work as filmmakers without being balkanized as "Black filmmakers" or "LGBTQ filmmakers" or "Women filmmakers." At FI-LA, all of our filmmakers are filmmakers and we honor them equally.

Podcast + TV Series
FI-LA head programmer Jeff Howard established the "Discover Indie Film" podcast in 2017 and has had over 250 filmmakers sit for an in depth interview. In 2019 the TV series "Discover Indie Film" premiered on Amazon Prime Video; DIF TV is an anthology of shorts handpicked from the festival circuit.

Our team is passionate about forming a community around the wonderful films and scripts we discover on the festival circuit. We invite our alumni to return as jury members and we hold Bi-Monthly Mixers at our festival venue to foster the creative community. In fact we know of several collaborations that began with an introduction at our festivals and mixers!

BEST IN FEST
Best Feature Film (over 60 mins) - $1,000 Prize
Best Featurette (20-60 mins) - $750 Prize
Best Short Film (under 20 mins) - $500 Prize

GRAND JURY AWARDS (chosen by selection jury)
Best Feature Film - Animation
Best Feature Film - Comedy
Best Feature Film - Documentary
Best Feature Film - Drama
Best Feature Film - Experimental/Arthouse
Best Feature Film - Horror
Best Feature Film - Sci-Fi
Best Featurette - Animation
Best Featurette - Comedy
Best Featurette - Documentary
Best Featurette - Drama
Best Featurette - Experimental/Arthouse
Best Featurette - Horror
Best Featurette - Sci-Fi
Best Short Film – Animation
Best Short Film – Comedy
Best Short Film – Documentary
Best Short Film – Experimental/Arthouse
Best Short Film – Dance
Best Short Film – Drama
Best Short Film – Horror
Best Short Film – SciFi
Best Featurette – Animation
Best Featurette – Comedy
Best Featurette – Documentary
Best Featurette – Experimental/Arthouse
Best Featurette – Drama
Best Featurette – Horror
Best Featurette – SciFi
Best Music Video
Best Web Series

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 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)

Technical Requirements:
Video - DCPs are required for all theatrical screenings. FI-LA has a technical sponsor who assists in this process.
Audio - A volume level of -20 LUFS to -18 LUFS during dialog scenes is highly recommended. Your editor should be able to give you an output in this range before you create your DCP.

Q&A's:
The makers of each project are welcome to be part of a Q&A session immediately following their screening. Key cast and crew are also welcome to participate.

Online Availability:
Many festivals have a ban against films that are available online but our philosophy is different. If a film is great, we make it an official selection. We believe that screening in a state of the art DCP theater with amazing audio is a little different from being on YouTube or Vimeo. We have held wonderful screenings of films that were also available online.

Promotions:
Participants agree that their project and material related to their project may be used and/or published in the program program, website and for promotional purposes related to the festival.

Submission materials:
Film, video and script submissions are only accepted digitally through FilmFreeway. No physical media or scripts will be accepted at the festival's office address.

Trademark:
If selected, all commercial/private property including all trademark/copyrighted materials shown or recorded on the project is the responsibility of the filmmaker. The festival does not take responsibility for any infringement of copywritten materials.

Rules are subject to change at any time without prior notice.

Run Times & Page Limits:

Feature Films: over 60 minutes
Featurettes: between 60 and 20 minutes
Short Films: under 20 minutes
Music Videos: any length
Screenplays: no page minimum or maximum, standard format and standard title page recommended. Movie and Television screenplays are both accepted.

Overall Rating

Quality

Value

Communication

Hospitality

Networking

Alina Krasnianska

Great festival! Thank you for your attention and support to our documentary Culture vs war. Liberov. We appreciate all ! Many love from Ukraine!

October 2024

Helpful
Jared Hall

This was the first film festival I had ever gone to... and I think it was the perfect introduction to that world. Frequent networking opportunities through mixers, interviews and QnAs. I had a wonderful time and met many amazing people.

October 2024

Helpful
Grant Housley

FILA is one of the best film festivals around. The time and attention they give to the films and filmmakers is unprecedented. Jeff and he's team spend time with the filmmakers during the event and at the Q&A where they give great critiques that matter. I am advising every filmmaker I know to submit to FILA.

October 2024

Helpful
Eric Foss

Film Invasion is just plain good energy. Jeff and his team really know how to do it well. They really actually care and the presentation of the films, the Q and A's, and the filmmaker resources provided during and after are a testament to that. This festival is growing but isn't as big as some of the other LA festivals. That said, I wouldn't be surprised if it starts making a splash in the larger indie film world if it isn't already.

October 2024

Helpful
Gerrit Van Woudenberg

FILA is a wonderful film festival; I have such a warm place in my heart for it. Jeff Howard truly is a champion of independent film, and such a good guy. Not only do they run an amazing festival, but they support fillmmakers and our projects after the festival has wrapped as well. They run the Discover Indie Film podcast, and they run the INDIE channel, a streaming service for indie film. Jeff and the festival staff really care about independent cinema and they go out of their way to support independent filmmakers. I am a HUGE fan and so grateful to Jeff and the whole FILA team. Love them <3

October 2024

Helpful

Add to List

Dates & Deadlines

July 15, 2024
Opening Date
December 15, 2024
First Deadline
January 15, 2025
Second Deadline
February 15, 2025
Third Deadline
March 15, 2025
Final Deadline
May 1, 2025
Notification Date
June 20 – 22, 2025
Event Date

Categories & Fees

Feature Film - Animation
Films over 60 minutes are considered Features
- First Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $36
- Second Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $40
- Third Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Student: $45
- Gold Members: $45
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $49.50
Featurette - Animation
Films between 20 and 60 minutes are considered Featurettes.
- First Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- Second Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $35
- Third Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $40
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Student: $45
- Gold Members: $45
Short Film - Animation
Films under 20 minutes are considered Shorts.
- First Deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $25
- Second Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- Third Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $35
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $40
Feature Film - Comedy
Films over 60 minutes are considered Features
- First Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $35
- Second Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $40
- Third Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Student: $45
- Gold Members: $45
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $49.50
Featurette - Comedy
Films between 20 and 60 minutes are considered Featurettes.
- First Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- Second Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $35
- Third Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $40
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Student: $45
- Gold Members: $45
Short Film - Comedy
Films under 20 minutes are considered Shorts.
- First Deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $25
- Second Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- Third Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $35
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $40
Feature Film - Drama
Films over 60 minutes are considered Features
- First Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $35
- Second Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $40
- Third Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Student: $45
- Gold Members: $45
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $49.50
Featurette - Drama
Films between 20 and 60 minutes are considered Featurettes.
- First Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- Second Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $35
- Third Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $40
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Student: $45
- Gold Members: $45
Short Film - Drama
Films under 20 minutes are considered Shorts.
- First Deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $25
- Second Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- Third Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $35
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $40
Feature Film - Documentary
Films over 60 minutes are considered Features
- First Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $35
- Second Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $40
- Third Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Student: $45
- Gold Members: $45
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $49.50
Featurette - Documentary
Films between 20 and 60 minutes are considered Featurettes.
- First Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- Second Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $35
- Third Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $40
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Student: $45
- Gold Members: $45
Short Film - Documentary
Films under 20 minutes are considered Shorts.
- First Deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $25
- Second Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- Third Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $35
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $40
Feature FIlm - Experimental/Arthouse
Films over 60 minutes are considered Features
- First Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $35
- Second Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $40
- Third Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Student: $45
- Gold Members: $45
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $49.50
Featurette - Experimental/Arthouse
Films between 20 and 60 minutes are considered Featurettes.
- First Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- Second Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $35
- Third Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $40
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Student: $45
- Gold Members: $45
Short Film - Experimental/Arthouse
Films under 20 minutes are considered Shorts.
- First Deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $25
- Second Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- Third Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $35
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $40
Feature Film - Horror
Films over 60 minutes are considered Features
- First Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $35
- Second Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $40
- Third Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Student: $45
- Gold Members: $45
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $49.50
Featurette - Horror
Films between 20 and 60 minutes are considered Featurettes.
- First Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- Second Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $35
- Third Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $40
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Student: $45
- Gold Members: $45
Short Film - Horror
Films under 20 minutes are considered Shorts.
- First Deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $25
- Second Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- Third Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $35
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $40
Feature Film - SciFi
Films over 60 minutes are considered Features
- First Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $35
- Second Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $40
- Third Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Student: $45
- Gold Members: $45
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $49.50
Featurette - Sci-Fi
Films between 20 and 60 minutes are considered Featurettes.
- First Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- Second Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $35
- Third Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $40
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Student: $45
- Gold Members: $45
Short Film - Sci-Fi
Films under 20 minutes are considered Shorts.
- First Deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $25
- Second Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- Third Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $35
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $40
Feature Film - Thriller
Films over 60 minutes are considered Features.
- First Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $36
- Second Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $40
- Third Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Student: $45
- Gold Members: $45
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $49.50
Featurette - Thriller
Films between 20 and 60 minutes are considered Featurettes.
- First Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- Second Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $35
- Third Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $4
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Student: $45
- Gold Members: $45
Short Film - Thriller
Films under 20 minutes are considered Shorts.
- First Deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $25
- Second Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- Third Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $35
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $40
Dance Film
For Dance we accept any length!
- First Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- Second Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $35
- Third Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $40
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Student: $45
- Gold Members: $45
Music Video
- First Deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $25
- Second Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- Third Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $35
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $40
Series Pilot - TV/Web/Streaming
TV Series, Web Series, Streaming Series... call it what you like. We recommend submitting the pilot episode only.
- First Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- Second Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $35
- Third Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $40
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Student: $45
- Gold Members: $45
Immersive Short - AR/VR/MR/360
Cutting edge filmmakers are making cinematic immersive experiences – whether it is 360º/180º video, realtime VR, MR, or AR – FILA is going to have the hardware and space required for these medium-defining narrative experiences to be presented at this year’s festival! We will be turning our theater’s lobby into a full-blown immersive and interactive gallery, with experiences open to all festival attendees.
- First Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- Second Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $35
- Third Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $40
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Student: $45
- Gold Members: $45
Screenplay - Feature Film
- First Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $28
- Second Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $32
- Third Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $36
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Student: $45
- Gold Members: $40
Screenplay - Short Film
- First Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $28
- Second Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $32
- Third Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $36
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Student: $45
- Gold Members: $40
Screenplay - Pilot/Series
We do recommend only submitting the pilot script of an unproduced series.
- First Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $28
- Second Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $32
- Third Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $36
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Student: $45
- Gold Members: $40
Screenplay - Feature Film - LGBTQ+ - $100 Prize
FILA was approached by a member of the Writers Guild of America West’s LGBTQ+ Writers Committee about having a special award and/or category for LGBTQ+ screenplays. Although our team has always been against the 'balkanizing' of underrepresented communities, when the lack of screenplay awards for this community was explained to us we were happy to oblige. An anonymous sponsor and ally has donated a $100 cash prize to the winner of the Grand Jury Award in this category!
- First Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $28
- Second Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $32
- Third Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $36
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Student: $45
- Gold Members: $40
Screenplay - Short Film - LGBTQ+ - $100 Prize
FILA was approached by a member of the Writers Guild of America West’s LGBTQ+ Writers Committee about having a special award and/or category for LGBTQ+ screenplays. Although our team has always been against the 'balkanizing' of underrepresented communities, when the lack of screenplay awards for this community was explained to us we were happy to oblige. An anonymous sponsor and ally has donated a $100 cash prize to the winner of the Grand Jury Award in this category!
- First Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $28
- Second Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $32
- Third Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $36
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Student: $45
- Gold Members: $40
Screenplay - Pilot/Series - LGBTQ+ - $100 Prize
We do recommend only submitting the pilot script of an unproduced series. FILA was approached by a member of the Writers Guild of America West’s LGBTQ+ Writers Committee about having a special award and/or category for LGBTQ+ screenplays. Although our team has always been against the 'balkanizing' of underrepresented communities, when the lack of screenplay awards for this community was explained to us we were happy to oblige. An anonymous sponsor and ally has donated a $100 cash prize to the winner of the Grand Jury Award in this category!
- First Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $28
- Second Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $32
- Third Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $36
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Student: $45
- Gold Members: $40

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