top of page
We accept submissions through FilmFreeway
BEST OF FEST
 |  |
|---|---|
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |
ABOUT
Los Angeles Film Awards (LAFA) is a monthly international competition dedicated to elevating the voices of filmmakers and screenwriters from around the globe.
As one of the highest-rated festivals on FilmFreeway with over 1,000 five-star reviews, LAFA serves as a powerful stepping stone for independent storytellers. Each month, our jury selects exceptional projects through private screenings, offering winning filmmakers industry recognition, exclusive reviews and spotlight interviews, official award certificates, and eligibility for our prestigious Annual Awards.
LAFA on IMDb: www.imdb.com/event/ev0004043
Categories
Rules
FILM & SCREENPLAY REVIEWS
Harmony in the Lab and the Heart: A Review of "Boy Scientist: The Prequel to Forever"
Returning to our screens with another remarkable blend of artistic vision and human purpose, creator and director Susan Lim delivers a project that feels both grand in scope and deeply personal in spirit. In "Boy Scientist: The Prequel to Forever", intimate studio recording, expressive animation, and cherished archival moments merge to craft a short film that is as emotionally resonant as it is technically accomplished. At its core, the film operates on a wonderfully poetic i
Talking Parrot: Film Review
Talking Parrot is a quietly powerful film that invites us to walk in another's shoes with profound empathy. Through remarkable sensitivity and emotional honesty, director Yu Luo explores one of the most heartbreaking questions a parent of a child with disabilities can face: Who will care for my child when I'm gone? It is a question that never needs to be spoken aloud for us to feel its weight. Every decision Zhang makes, every glance she gives her son, and every silent tear
Faith and the Christmas Star: Film Review
“Faith and the Christmas Star” directed by Anne Trenning is a marvelously refreshing take on classic Christmas stories. Much of today’s modern filmmaking, particularly the ones driven toward young viewers, exists in overwhelm and overstimulation. Fast paced action, sound, and editing assault the senses and create unnecessary adrenal spikes. Seeing Trenning’s animated film allows the viewer to pause and take a deep breath. I would happily recommend including this film as a par
ARTICLES & INTERVIEWS
Spotlight: An Interview with Mingfeng Li ("So Long")
Rising filmmaker Mingfeng Li makes a powerful entrance with So Long, a beautifully crafted black-and-white drama that has already begun capturing attention for its emotional honesty and stunning cinematography. As co-writer, co-director, and director of photography, Li brings a unique visual clarity to this story of an undocumented immigrant family navigating danger and impossible decisions. His work transforms a student project into a cinematic experience filled with heart,
Spotlight: An Interview with Nguyen Dang Vy ("Facade")
For Nguyen Dang Vy, filmmaking began long before his first day on set. It started in a modest French home filled with the glow of old VHS tapes: Jurassic Park, The Matrix, Back to the Future, films that ignited a lifelong fascination with storytelling. After years of crafting visual effects for Hollywood hits, DangVy stepped behind the camera to create Facade, his bold and haunting directorial debut. We caught up with him to discuss how it all began, and where it’s headed nex
An Interview with Mack Lindon ("Rise of the Underdog")
Mack Lindon is no stranger to adversity, and no stranger to turning it into art. The Australian actor-turned-director first stunned audiences with RISE, his powerful debut based on his own wrongful imprisonment. Now, with Rise of the Underdog, Mack continues to carve out an inspiring path in independent cinema, sharing not only his story but also his unwavering belief in the underdog spirit. As his latest feature heads toward international distribution, Mack opens up about re
LAFA WINNERS
10th Annual LAFA 2025 - The Winners
Best of Fest I feel fine. - Hailey Spicer, Austin Spicer Best Narrative Feature Blood Star - Lawrence Jacomelli Best Narrative Short The Serena Variations - Warren Andrew Fischer Best Indie Feature Haunting Trophies - László Illés Best Indie Short Who the Hell is Michael? - Juan Jose Rodriguez Drescher Best Web/TV Pilot Raymar - Adrien Boublil Best Web/TV Series Paramedics: Emergency Response - Antonio Hrynchuk Best Documentary Feature Common Ground - Josh Tickell,
LAFA Winners - September 2026
Best Picture A Palmful Of Stars - Jingwu Ning Best Narrative Feature A Palmful Of Stars - Jingwu Ning Best Narrative Short Boatlift 9/11 - Tricia Aurand, Dale Fabrigar Best Indie Feature Deeply Truly Fully - Nathan Shane Miller Best Indie Short The Silver Ridge Shutdown - Madison Rojas Best Drama Before Our Story Ends - Shahinda Elsayed Best Parody Chiligods Highlight Zone - Frank W Yates, Julio Martinez Best Romance Film Boy Scientist: The Prequel to Forever - Su
LAFA Winners - August 2026
Best Picture Talking Parrot - Luo Yu Best Narrative Feature Maybe It's Love - Akhil Akkina Best Narrative Short Talking Parrot - Luo Yu Best Indie Film Data Not Drama - David Ramer Best Drama The Guardian Angel - Andrei Christian Bortica Best Thriller Synthetic - Ismail Albukhari Best Sci-Fi Furi - Barty Shepherd, Bailey Tom Bailey, Lucy May Miles Best Inspirational Film Maggie Magic Fingers - Jennifer Smith Best Film Noir Valley Magenta - Dominic Ryan Gabriel Best
ANNUAL AWARDS
10th Annual LAFA 2025 - The Winners
Best of Fest I feel fine. - Hailey Spicer, Austin Spicer Best Narrative Feature Blood Star - Lawrence Jacomelli Best Narrative Short The Serena Variations - Warren Andrew Fischer Best Indie Feature Haunting Trophies - László Illés Best Indie Short Who the Hell is Michael? - Juan Jose Rodriguez Drescher Best Web/TV Pilot Raymar - Adrien Boublil Best Web/TV Series Paramedics: Emergency Response - Antonio Hrynchuk Best Documentary Feature Common Ground - Josh Tickell,
11th Annual LAFA 2026 Nominations
Entering its second decade, the Los Angeles Film Awards continues to serve as an elite global benchmark for filmmaking excellence, spotlighting extraordinary narratives that carry the depth and polish of high-end cinema. The selection process for our 11th annual edition highlighted a breathtaking caliber of films, driven by complex storytelling, magnificent ensemble casts, and profound cultural relevance. Standing at the forefront of this year's competition with a remarkable
10th Annual LAFA 2025 Nominations
Over the past decade, the Los Angeles Film Awards has established itself as a premier destination for cinematic excellence, acting as a vital bridge where high-caliber studio storytelling and elite independent vision meet. As we celebrate our milestone 10th anniversary, the official nominee class of 2025 represents the absolute vanguard of the craft. These are the films that captivated our jury with their exceptional technical execution, star-studded performances, and profoun
bottom of page