The Latin American Cinemateca of Los Angeles (LACLA) Presents: The Annual Student Film Festival

Celebrating the voice and vision of young filmmakers, we proudly showcase short films by students hailing from the multifaceted regions of Los Angeles - from the Valley to South L.A., and from East L.A. to Venice.

Submission Guidelines & Terms:

Eligibility: Open exclusively to High School & Middle School students from the greater Los Angeles area. Teacher or mentor consent is required.

Film Duration: Films must not exceed 5 minutes.

Creation Window: Films should have been crafted during the 2022-2024 period.

Accepted Formats: MOV, WMV, MP4.

Genres: We welcome submissions in Animation, Documentary, Experimental, Narrative, and Public Service Announcements (PSA).

Language: Non-English films must have English subtitles.

Multiple Submissions: Entrants may submit more than one film, with each requiring its own entry form.

Re-submissions: Films previously submitted can only be re-entered if they've undergone significant changes. You may also re-submit if you participated in 2023.

Awards:
Best Film
Best Documentary
Most Creative

Legal Notes: By participating, you affirm your authority to submit the film and guarantee that all necessary rights and clearances have been obtained. LACLA holds no responsibility for any claims or liabilities related to the films submitted. We reserve the right to use excerpts and stills from accepted films for promotional activities. Films may be rejected if the appropriate digital file is not provided by the deadline.

For any queries or clarifications, reach out to us at info@lacla.org.

Our Mission:
At the heart of LACLA lies an unwavering dedication to the promotion and cultivation of cultural expression through cinema. Established in 1997 by a passionate collective of Latinx cultural advocates, LACLA emerged in response to the scarcity of local and national platforms celebrating Latinx and Latin American films. Beginning its journey with screenings of iconic Latin American movies in the historic downtown L.A. theater district; LACLA has since flourished, creating immersive experiences for both youth and adults, connecting them to the rich tapestry of Chicanx, Latinx, and Latin American cinema.

Kind regards,
Melina Rodriguez, Student Film Festival
Latin American Cinemateca of Los Angeles
info@lacla.org

Best Film
Best Documentary
Most Creative


Eligibility: Open exclusively to High School & Middle School students from the greater Los Angeles area. Teacher or mentor consent required.

Film Duration: Films must not exceed 5 minutes.

Creation Window: Films should have been crafted during the 2022-2024 period.

Accepted Formats: MOV, WMV, MP4.

Genres: We welcome submissions in Animation, Documentary, Experimental, Narrative, and Public Service Announcements (PSA).

Language: Non-English films must have English subtitles.

Multiple Submissions: Entrants may submit more than one film, with each requiring its own entry form.

Re-submissions: Films previously submitted can only be re-entered if they've undergone significant changes. You may also re-submit if you participated in 2023.

Legal Notes: By participating, you affirm your authority to submit the film and guarantee that all necessary rights and clearances have been obtained. LACLA holds no responsibility for any claims or liabilities related to the films submitted. We reserve the right to use excerpts and stills from accepted films for promotional activities. Films may be rejected if the appropriate digital file is not provided by the deadline.