Full details
The Los Angeles Film Festival (LAFM) returns in its 2026 edition with a rich and diverse program featuring more than 25 films, including world premieres, U.S. premieres, and new West Coast screenings. Founded recently in 2024 by Micah Gottlieb and Sarah Winshall, the festival has become an important cinematic event focusing on supporting the independent film industry and the young film scene in Los Angeles.
Festival Opening with John Early's Directorial Debut
The festival will open with the screening of Maddie’s Secret, marking the directorial debut of actor and writer John Early. Produced by Magnolia Pictures, the film will be shown at the Eagle Theater at Vidiots on April 9. The story centers on Maddie Ralph, a food influencer secretly struggling with the return of an eating disorder she battled during her teenage years. Early stars as the lead alongside Kate Berlant, Vanessa Bayer, and Conor O'Malley. The film previously premiered internationally at the Toronto International Film Festival, where it received notable attention.
Festival Closing with Sophie Romvari's 'Blue Heron'
The festival will close with the screening of Blue Heron by director Sophie Romvari on April 12, also at the Eagle Theater. The film offers a unique personal narrative depicting the story of a Hungarian family immigrating to Vancouver Island in the late 1990s, highlighting family conflicts through the troubled behavior of their teenage son. This cinematic work won the Swatch Best First Feature Award and the Children’s Jury Award at the Locarno Film Festival.
Diverse and Rich Program of Independent Cinema
The festival program includes a selection of official films addressing various themes and presenting contemporary cinematic experiences, such as After the Dream by Christine Haroutunian, Chronovisor by Jack Aun and Kevin Walker, and Drunk Driving directed by Avalon Fast and Gillian Frank. Additionally, the lineup features works exploring diverse human, cultural, and social stories. The screenings also include restorations of significant films like Dreams of Passion by Arin Birch, the controversial drama The Macho Dancer by Lino Brocka, and Silk Shadows by Mary Steven.
Supporting Local Cinema and a Multicultural Film Community
The festival aims to serve the community of filmmakers and young cinema enthusiasts characterized by cultural diversity in Los Angeles. It highlights local films and works from city directors who offer nuanced human portrayals of urban life. Furthermore, it provides a platform for restored films that seek to preserve the legacy of independent art cinema by showcasing rare and unique classic films for renewed exhibition.
Venues and Ticketing
Screenings will take place at several distinguished locations, including the Eagle Theater in Eagle Rock, 2220 Arts + Archives in the historic Filipinotown area, and the Now Instant Image Hall in Chinatown. Festival talks and special panels will be held at the Philosophical Research Association in the Los Feliz neighborhood. Festival passes are currently on sale, with individual tickets expected to be available soon.
The festival organizers emphasize their commitment to delivering a fresh and rich cinematic experience that reflects the brilliance and heritage of independent filmmaking. They stress the importance of collective viewing on the big screen, where the power and impact of these artistic works are truly realized.
