OUR MISSION:

LA Bizarre Film Festival (LABF) l is searching for Films and Screenplays that are smart, innovative, and a hell of a lot of fun! We are accepting pieces that are strikingly out of the ordinary and in these genres...

SEEKING:

(Weird, grindhouse, comedy, horror, cult, B-movies, exploitation, gore, sexploitation, nunsploitation, blacksploitation, vampires, zombies, werewolves, hauntings, occult, cannibalism, rape & revenge, women in prison, biker, Kung Fu, slasher, splatter, cheer leaders / slumber party / camp/ massacre, Mondo / topless, independent, gay, foreign, spy, punk, silent, western, science fiction, conspiracy, film noir, arthouse, animation, surrealism, etc.)

NO porn, animal cruelty, hate, crime, or terrorism Accepted.

OUR OBJECTIVE:

LABF, offers an environment for new emerging filmmakers and writers, that are inspired by the legendary and cult grand masters and are willing to break the rules of the established Studio "system" with true creativity that often asserts itself!

We bring artists into the spotlight by bringing awareness and appreciation for talented storytellers around the world. We reveal their work and or the filmmaking process and celebrate the stories told.

LABF unites a wide range of the people within the communities of Los Angeles and San Bernadino (aka Big Bear CA.) together. We welcome industry processionals from distributers, producers, directors, investors and media to discover new talent!

EVENTS:

LABF stands in solidarity with both the Writers (WGA) strike and the Actors (SAG) strike and will be CANCELING the film festival event on August 3rd, 2023. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Note: Notifications and Announcements for Award Winners is pending on June 30th, 2023. Official Laurels will be sent.

LOCATION:

Outdoors in the fresh air, under the stars in Big Bear's beautiful
"Greyback Amphitheater"

In: San Bernardino County, California.
Address: CA-38, Big Bear, CA 92314

SAFETY CONCERNS:

Masks and a COVID-19 tests are NOT required to attend our event. If you have symptoms of cough, fever, and body aches stay home!

Due to Covid-19 safety concerns, LA Bizarre Films will not be able to guarantee a LIVE screening and may have to resort to a Virtual screening only for the safety of our guests. Making your films and post screening Q&As, and panels available to stream worldwide.

AWARDS/PRIZES:

Winners will receive a beautiful custom etched LABF "Best Of" or "Official Selection" Trophy, Certificate, or Laurel! (Awards will either be mailed to the winners, presented live-on-stage at our Red Carpet Award Ceremony, or sent Virtually- depending on Covid-19 safety concerns.)

• LABF may interview the Top selected Award Winners, online virtually or in person, about the making of the film.
• We will present major industry prizes from our Sponsors, but are not guaranteed.
• Winners & nominees will be featured on our LA Bizarre Films website, FilmFreeway, and promoted on our Social Media platforms.
• An online video exhibition (of photos, information, films) will also be created of all winning films and best screenplays.
• We will be showcasing digital uploads of all Selected films on our LA Bizarre Films website for guests to stream.
• Our distinguished LABF panel of judges, will select the "Nominees". Then the "Top Film Finalists" will be considered in the final round by our star-studded Celebrity Judges, for final "Best Of" Selections.

LABF will present "Best Of" or "Official Selection" Awards to the Winning films in each Genre Category:

SCREENPLAY AWARD CATEGORIES:
Bizarre Original SCREENPLAY (unproduced)
Bizarre Original TV/Web Pilot SCREENPLAY

FILM AWARDS:
Bizarre Action
Bizarre Animation / Anime
Bizarre Apocalyptic / Post Apocalyptic / Disaster
Bizarre B-Movie
Bizarre Blaxploitation / African American
Bizarre Comedy
Bizarre Crime / Mystery / Spy / Film Noir
Bizarre Documentary / Conspiracy
Bizarre Drama
Bizarre Experimental / Avant-Garde
Bizarre Gay & Lesbian +
Bizarre Grindhouse / Exploitation +
Bizarre Historical Film / Western / War
Bizarre Horror / Thriller
Bizarre Sci-Fi / Fantasy / Surrealism
Bizarre TV Series / TV Pilot / Sitcoms / Web Series
Bizarre International / Foreign Film
Bizarre Music Videos
Bizarre Romance
Bizarre Silent film

____________________________________________________________________________________________

• AWARD WINNERS FOR LABF 2ND ANNUAL FILM FESTIVAL:

FILMS:
Squish - "Best Picture"
Directed By Xavier Seron
 
Red The Color Within  - "Best Animation" 2022
Directed By William La Portilla
 
Port - "Official Selection Animation" 2022
Directed By Andrew Lehman
 
Photalgia - “Best Thriller" 2022
Directed By Michael McCallum
 
Seafood Surprise - "Most Bizarre" 2022
Directed By Nick Haaf
 
SCREENPLAYS:
Herbert West - Reanimator : "Miskatonic" - "Winner Best Screenplay" 2022
Written By Paul Grammatico
 
Matthew The Angry Elf - "Winner Best Comedy" 2022
Written By David Gray
 
Inheritance - "Winner Best Film Noir" 2022
Written By Kurt T. Choate
 
Judgement House - "Winner Best Drama" 2022
Written By Alan Mah Baxter

CONDITIONS FOR ENTRY:

LENGTH:

•Original motion picture submissions for SHORT films that have a running time of 30 mins or less, including credits.

• Bizarre Original SCREENPLAYS: Must be an unproduced Screenplay that is not created, or made into a film. The Length must be under 110 pages. (Which is standard and produces an hour and half to two hour long film.)

• Bizarre Original TV/Web Pilot SCREENPLAYS- Looking for new hit Series. Pilot Scripts must be under 60 pages. (About a half hour to a one hour show)

• SUBMISSION FORMATS:

We only accept films digitally submitted online through FilmFreeways Screener / Links.
Hit the "SUBMIT NOW" button.

• TO SUBMIT A FILM USING FilmFreeway:

1. login or sign up to www.filmfreeway.com.
2. click “My Projects” tab.
3. click “Add A Project” button.
4. Choose project type: Film/video – Script – Music/songwriting – Photography.
5. Type in the film's title.
6. Fill in as much further information as possible.
7. Save Project.
8 Upload or Link to your film.
9. Click Save
10. Add posters, trailer and other info
11. Click Browse Festivals tab and search for "LA Bizarre Films"
12. Choose festival and click “Submit Now” button.

• We accept films from any country as long as they are in English, or silent or in their language of origin with English subtitles.

SCREENING:
LABF may Select and share your "Award Winning" or "Official Selection" short film, at our virtual film festival directly on our website for streaming.

We will need to physically download the project source file for screening at our festival.

To do so we need to request permission from the submitter through FilmFreeway.
If the video was uploaded to FilmFreeway, we can request permission simply by clicking “REQUEST DOWNLOAD” on the project details page for you submission.
 
If the submitter approves the download request, we will be notified by email and the request download link will change to a “Download File” link. That will enable LABF to download the project file in the same place.

If the video is linked via Vimeo or Youtube, we will need to contact the film maker and request that they enable downloading within their Vimeo account.

• PRESS/PUBLICITY:
If your video is selected to screen at the festival, you may be asked to provide us with the director’s bio and filmography/ videography, press materials, video trailer if available, and stills from the film.

TERMS & CONDITIONS:

1. Your submission must be original work not commercially exhibited or distributed prior to the LABF. Submission and screening at other festivals is fine.

2. Entry Fee is non-refundable.

3. You may submit more than one film or screenplay, however, each submission must have a separate entry form and applicable fee.

Please include a synopsis of your project.

4. You must have all clearance and rights and have full authority to submit the project.

5. By submitting your film, you give LA Bizarre Film Festival permission to show your film during the festival, stream, or share online virtually, and or display on LABF website or social media platforms. We will use your film, stills, synopsis, bio and other press kit material, supplied by you, to promote the festival and the film makers.

RETURN OF SUBMISSION TAPES:
6. Due to the large number of entries received any hard copy submission materials and videos sent to LABF will not be returned. We prefer digital materials.

7. CONDITIONS FOR ENTRY:

• SUBMISSION FORMATS:
All non digital submissions must be submitted on DVD only, Region 0 or 1 if requested.

• PRESS/PUBLICITY:
If your video is selected to screen at the festival, you will be asked to provide us with the director’s bio and filmography/ videography, press materials, video trailer if available, and at least 2 stills from the film titled with the name of the film.

• We accept shorts from any country as long as they are in English, or silent or in their language of origin with English subtitles.

8. LA Bizarre Reserves the right to refuse entries.

RULES:

9. Your submission must be original work not commercially exhibited or distributed prior to LABF. Submission and screening at other festivals is fine. You must have all clearance and rights and have full authority to submit the project.

10. All Entry Fees are non-refundable. A filmmaker will not be reimbursed the submission fee even if they decide to withdraw the submission.

11. You may submit more than one film, however, each submission must have a separate entry form and applicable fee.

12. Please include a synopsis of your project.

13. Every precaution will be taken in handling all entries, however, the Festival producers, staff, sponsors and affiliated entries will not be liable for any loss or damage of your film at any time during shipping or handling.

14. LA Bizarre Festival is hereby granted the rights to utilize an excerpt from any film submitted for promotional purposes of the festival within the United States only. The individual or corporation submitting the film hereby warrants that it is authorized to commit the film for screening, and understands and accepts these requirements, rules and regulations.

RETURN OF SUBMISSION TAPES:
15. Due to the large number of entries received submission materials and videos will NOT be returned.

PAYMENT:
16. CHECK MUST BE IN US DOLLARS drawn on a US Bank. No non US Checks accepted.
You will be able to check that we have received your materials by checking your FilmFreeway account.

TERMS:
17. LA Bizarre Films may without advance notice amend these Rules & Terms from time to time. Each and every such amendment shall be become effective immediately. It is your responsibility to periodically check for updates of these Rules & Terms.

18. By Submitting your project, you automatically agree to our Terms and Conditions.

SAFETY CONCERNS:
19. Due to Covid-19 safety concerns, LA Bizarre Films will not be able to guarantee a LIVE screening and MAY have to resort to a Virtual screening only for the safety of our guests. Making your films and post screening Q&As, and panels available to stream worldwide.

Masks, proof of Vaccines, and a COVID-19 test are OPTIONAL and NOT required to attend our live events. If you have symptoms of cough, fever, and body aches stay home!

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Paul Grammatico

    I am honored to have been selected Best Screenplay for my TV Pilot HERBERT WEST - REANIMATOR: "MISKATONIC". I am looking forward to the festival going live next year! Thank you so much!

    November 2022