What kind of films does the Los Angeles Film Festival screen?
The Los Angeles Film Festival screens a wide variety of American and international narrative and documentary films. We are looking for exciting and distinctive filmmaking voices that are telling interesting and unique fiction and non-fiction stories. In keeping with the mission statement of Film Independent, our parent organization, the festival strives to champion the cause of independent film and support a community of artists who embody diversity, innovation and uniqueness of vision. All genres are welcome: drama, comedy, horror, animation and more. From popcorn escapism to issue-based fare, red carpet premieres to independent productions, there’s a place for everything at the Los Angeles Film Festival.
In addition to feature-length and short films, the Festival also screens music videos and short work by high school students.
When does the festival take place?
The Los Angeles Film Festival will take place June 11-19, 2014.
When is my film due?
All of our deadline dates are postmarked deadlines, which means your film must be put in the mail on the date of the deadline for which you are applying. The absolute latest your film can arrive at the Los Angeles Film Festival office is February 7, 2014 for short films, high school shorts, or music videos and by February 14, 2014 for feature-length films.
If you are submitting your film to multiple spring/summer festivals, we strongly recommend you have it under consideration at the festivals at the same time. Do not wait and submit to each festival individually as each deadline occurs. Having your film in consideration at multiple festivals at the same time allows you to dialogue with each festival simultaneously and possibly be better informed when it comes time for you make any decisions regarding your festival strategy and premiere status.
Will I be notified when the LA Film Fest receives my film?
Due to the high volume of submissions, we are unable to notify each individual when we receive their film. If you would like to receive acknowledgment that your entry has been received, please enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope or a postcard with your submission, which we will mail to you once your film has been processed.
When will I know if my film has been invited to screen at LA Film Fest?
We will be notifying filmmakers at the end of April. Please make sure that the e-mail address that you provided on your Withoutabox.com application will be operational at that time, as we will be contacting you via that e-mail.
What is LA Film Fest’s premiere status requirement?
We require that all feature films must not have had any public or festival screenings in Southern California, including Los Angeles, Orange, and Ventura counties and prefer a US or World Premiere for feature films that will screen in our competition sections.
Premiere status will be one of the factors considered when determining a film’s inclusion in the Festival. For feature films, select American and international narrative features making their world, international, North American or US premieres compete in the Festival’s Narrative Competition. Non-premiere titles are considered for other sections of the Festival. There is no premiere requirement for short films, high school shorts, or music videos.
Do you accept work-in-progress films?
Rough cuts and works-in-progress are eligible for entry if submitted by the deadlines and if the final cut will be available by February 21, 2014. Please label your submission “Rough Cut” and specify what is missing (i.e., temp sound, needs color correction, etc.). Our programming staff is accustomed to viewing films that are missing minor elements. However, please be aware that our programming department may not be able to re-screen your film if you send a final cut after submitting a rough cut. To avoid confusion throughout the screening review process, we would prefer that you only send us ONE version of your film.
What if the programmers cannot get my film to play?
We will make every effort to play your DVDs but, in the event that we are unable to view your film, we will contact you to request another copy using the primary contact information provided on your application. Please be sure that your disc plays all the way through BEFORE you submit it to us!
How many films can I submit?
You can submit as many films as you’d like. You only need to create one account, and upon doing so, you may submit individual applications for multiple films. We do not offer reduced fees for multiple submissions. For example, if you submit three films, you must pay the submission fee for each film. Please DO NOT submit multiple projects on the same DVD.
What screening formats does LA Film Fest accept?
We welcome submissions on DVD and Secure Online Screeners through withoutabox.
For presentations at the festival, feature and short films screen 35mm, DCP and HDCam. For more technical specifications and formats for music videos and high school shorts, please read the Submission Guidelines.
Where do I send my DVD submission?
After you have completed the online submission form at Withoutabox.com, please mail your DVD screener to the following address:
Attn: Programming (Insert Withoutabox ID Number)
Los Angeles Film Festival
9911 W Pico Blvd, 11th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90027
Full details about submission requirements can be found in our Submission Guidelines.
If you have any further questions, please contact programming@filmindependent.org.
