Guide to the LA Film Festival

Every year, both emerging filmmakers and movie lovers join together for a cinematic event like no other. Of course we’re talking about the LA Film Festival, which is scheduled to come back to Los Angeles from June 1 through 9.

This exclusive event features more than 50 entries from independent filmmakers, TV shows, and more with the goal of showcasing original works not produced by big-budget studios.

Submissions to Watch

It seems like an almost impossible job, but the LA Film Festival programming team reviews thousands of submissions from around the world to select the pieces to be featured. This task is not taken lightly, and great care goes into choosing each screening.

So which submissions should you check out? Here are our top three:

1. Lowriders

Opening the 2016 film festival, Lowriders is a tale about East LA lowrider culture and how its intricacies branch out far beyond just that of fancy automobiles. Follow as Danny, a teenager still learning his place in the world, is forced to choose between his father and his estranged criminal brother.

2. Desierto

After highlighting the show opener, it only seems right to pay tribute to the film the programmers thought should close out the festival. Desierto follows a group attempting to illegally cross the US-Mexico border when they encounter someone who’s taken border control into their own hands.

3. Chee and T

Entered into the US Fiction Competition, this fun film should offer a welcomed laugh from the two heavier-hitting projects on our list. The story follows two friends who are tasked with getting their pill-popping cousin ready for his engagement party in less than 24 hours. While unexpected hijinks ensue, so does the laughter.  

Signature Programming

In addition to all of the terrific films, the LA Film Festival is known for its signature programs, which include a variety of workshops and seminars that can connect filmmakers with industry professionals and other resources. Special events include the following:

• The Filmmaker Retreat
• Coffee Talks
• Master Classes
• The Spirit of Independence Award
• Fast Track (A film financing market)
• Diversity Speaks (Day-long forum on content creators of color)

Passes and Tickets

Individual tickets and passes for the LA Film Festival are available to match your desired level of involvement. The pass levels are Patron Level Arts Circle, Fast Pass, Film Independent Member Pass, and Film Pass. Below is a complete breakdown of the pass/ticket prices.

Patron Level Arts Circle

• Cost: $2,500
• Admission to opening and closing night
• Arts Circle priority pass with priority access to all screenings, including those that are sold out
• Access to Festival Lounge
• And more

Fast Pass

• Cost: $1,000 for non-members, $900 for members
• Ticket to opening and closing night
• Priority access to screenings and events
• Access to Festival Lounge

Film Independent Member Pass

• Cost: $500 (Available to Film Independent Members only)
• General access to screenings and events
• Access to Festival Lounge

Film Pass

• Cost: $350 for non-members, $315 for members
• General access to regular events and screenings
• Access to Festival Lounge

Individual Tickets

• Regular screenings and events: $13 to $15
• Special screenings and events: $20 to $25

We hope you found this guide to the 2016 LA Film Festival helpful. For more posts like this one, be sure to check out our blog!