Recognize talented independent filmmakers and screenwriters with awards and Screenings.

The Los Angeles Reel Film Festival’s aim is to seek out, acknowledge and award the many talented independent filmmakers and writers who may not get the recognition they deserve through many of the more political and commercial film festivals. The LARFF recognizes filmmakers and screenwriters who demonstrate exceptional achievement in craft and creativity. All genres of film, music videos and scripts are accepted by the LARFF and up to 15 awards will be distributed, giving filmmakers and writers the opportunity to be noticed. Winners will receive award certificates.

Awards & Prizes

1ST PLACE NARRATIVE
1ST PLACE DOCUMENTARY
1ST PLACE EXPERIMENTAL
1ST PLACE ANIMATION
1ST PLACE STUDENT FILM
1ST PLACE FOREIGN FILM
1ST PLACE MUSIC VIDEO
1ST PLACE SCRIPT

BEST DIRECTOR
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
BEST ACTOR
BEST ACTRESS
BEST ORIGINAL SCORE

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Rules & Terms

General Submissions Rules for The Los Angeles Reel Film Festival.
Entries must have been produced within the past ten years.
Submissions in other than English must be subtitled or dubbed.
The entry fee is per category.
Entries will not be returned.
The Los Angeles Reel Film Festival is hereby granted the right to utilize an excerpt from any film submitted and accepted for exhibition at the Festival for promotional purposes. 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 and regulations. The Competition reserves the right to refuse entries. The undersigned shall indemnify and hold harmless The Los Angeles Reel Film Festival from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees, and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening, and loss of or damage to the screening videos entered. Entries will not be returned.
23 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Leiter Daniellson

    Great contest - thanks for the recognition!

    January 2026
    Helpful
  • Dasha Shy

    I am the director Dasha Shy, and my music video “DakhaBrakha — 9 Nedilechok” won 1st place for Best Music Video at this festival.
    I truly appreciate the recognition and the honor of receiving this award.

    However, the communication with the festival was unfortunately very poor. I reached out multiple times over many weeks, but none of my emails received a response. The award status on FilmFreeway was also never updated, which is disappointing — especially considering that this is an official win in a competitive category.

    I found out about my award only because I kept manually checking the festival’s website, which should not be the case for such an important recognition.

    I sincerely hope the festival improves communication with its winners and keeps information updated in the future.

    December 2025
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  • Ivan Ilagan

    Big thank you to LARFF for choosing our film STUD10 as part of their festival. Overall, a wonderful experience and extremely honored to be among incredibly talented filmmakers.

    May 2024
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  • Michael Gould

    Long-standing, quality, friendly film festival with a 'reel' eye for the new and different. Great to attend and worthwhile to be noticed by.

    May 2024
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  • John Kalning

    What an amazing festival, so honored to be included with such amazing films. I wish I could have been there, thank you again!

    May 2024
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