DTLA FILM FESTIVAL

Los Angeles, CA, United States, North America

Category

Feature

DTLA FILM FESTIVAL logo
DTLA FILM FESTIVAL

Los Angeles, CA, United States, North America

Is this your festival?

Is this your festival?

General Information

edition

12th

Contact details

DTLA Film Festival 2658 Griffith Park Blvd., #389 Los Angeles, CA 90039 United States

90039

info@dtlaff.com

323-660-1935

Web & social

About the festival

IMPORTANT UPDATE: Due to the current pandemic the 12th Annual DTLA Film Festival will ONLY be holding it's SCREENPLAY COMPETITION on October 21, 2020. This year's festival will not host live events in compliance with public safety protocols.
The SCREENPLAY COMPETITION we will be accepting scripts in the following categories: Features, Shorts, TV Pilots and Documentaries. DTLAFF is introducing a new Special Category, final feature screenplay of your fully completed film (see more details in Categories and Fees section).

DTLA Film Fest remains committed to its tradition of fearless innovation and diversity in programming.

MISSION:

Set in historic center of the Film Capital of the World, DTLA Film Festival (Downtown Film Festival Los Angeles) has as its mission to exhibit a wide array of independent films by and about groups traditionally underrepresented in the commercial Hollywood film industry, notably women, people of color and members of the LGBTQ community.

The festival also strives to reflect the unique cultural diversity of the neighborhoods of DTLA and L.A.’s surrounding Eastside communities – home to more ethnic groups than any other place in the world.

Finally, the festival embraces DTLA as a nexus of the New Urbanism movement. It provides a platform for films that explore the history, architecture, cultural diversity and contemporary social and political issues of the modern urban landscape. At the same time, it strives to call attention to DTLA’s historic and increasing important role In Los Angeles’ creative industries where film, music, video games and digital entertainment media converge.

DTLA Film Festival was established in 2008 and proclaimed by L.A. Weekly to be among the Top 5 Film Festivals in Los Angeles. The festival celebrates the renaissance of downtown LA (DTLA) in all its facets - its historic movie palaces, its legendary cultural institutions, its thriving business and residential communities, and its unique ethnic-cultural diversity.

DTLA is the midst of a building boom not seen since the 1920s. Dozens of restaurants, lounges, galleries and hotels have opened in the last year. Established digital and other corporate brands, creative agencies and high-tech start-ups are setting up shop. DTLA is the most exciting place to be in Los Angeles - its new creative nexus - and DTLA Film Fest is the largest film event in DTLA.

Since 2008 the festival has screened more than a thousand narrative and documentary features and shorts. We embrace diversity in front of and behind the camera. We lean toward films that push the creative envelope. And through the years we've honored an array of artists who have contributed to independent cinema Mira Sorvino, Rosanna Arquette, Malcom McDowell, John Hawkes, Laura Dern, Mark Ruffalo, Charles Burnett, Penelope Spheeris, Allison Anders and Robert Altman.

Our audience is comprised of entertainment industry professionals: producers, agents, filmmakers, film financiers and other film, music, TV, video game, Internet, marketing and fashion industry creatives. Films at our festival enjoy the advantage of being seen by the industry influentials that can make a difference in your film and your career.

In the past our primary screening venue is Regal L.A. Live Stadium 14, the only multiplex in downtown Los Angeles, featuring state-of-the-art a/v equipment and facilities. The multiplex is part of the larger L.A. Live entertainment complex featuring 25 restaurants and lounges as well as the Grammy Museum, the Staples Center and other entertainment venues. DTLA is the hub of Los Angeles, and L.A. Live is the hub of DTLA.

TBA

About

IMPORTANT UPDATE: Due to the current pandemic the 12th Annual DTLA Film Festival will ONLY be holding it's SCREENPLAY COMPETITION on October 21, 2020. This year's festival will not host live events in compliance with public safety protocols.
The SCREENPLAY COMPETITION we will be accepting scripts in the following categories: Features, Shorts, TV Pilots and Documentaries. DTLAFF is introducing a new Special Category, final feature screenplay of your fully completed film (see more details in Categories and Fees section).

DTLA Film Fest remains committed to its tradition of fearless innovation and diversity in programming.

MISSION:

Set in historic center of the Film Capital of the World, DTLA Film Festival (Downtown Film Festival Los Angeles) has as its mission to exhibit a wide array of independent films by and about groups traditionally underrepresented in the commercial Hollywood film industry, notably women, people of color and members of the LGBTQ community.

The festival also strives to reflect the unique cultural diversity of the neighborhoods of DTLA and L.A.’s surrounding Eastside communities – home to more ethnic groups than any other place in the world.

Finally, the festival embraces DTLA as a nexus of the New Urbanism movement. It provides a platform for films that explore the history, architecture, cultural diversity and contemporary social and political issues of the modern urban landscape. At the same time, it strives to call attention to DTLA’s historic and increasing important role In Los Angeles’ creative industries where film, music, video games and digital entertainment media converge.

DTLA Film Festival was established in 2008 and proclaimed by L.A. Weekly to be among the Top 5 Film Festivals in Los Angeles. The festival celebrates the renaissance of downtown LA (DTLA) in all its facets - its historic movie palaces, its legendary cultural institutions, its thriving business and residential communities, and its unique ethnic-cultural diversity.

DTLA is the midst of a building boom not seen since the 1920s. Dozens of restaurants, lounges, galleries and hotels have opened in the last year. Established digital and other corporate brands, creative agencies and high-tech start-ups are setting up shop. DTLA is the most exciting place to be in Los Angeles - its new creative nexus - and DTLA Film Fest is the largest film event in DTLA.

Since 2008 the festival has screened more than a thousand narrative and documentary features and shorts. We embrace diversity in front of and behind the camera. We lean toward films that push the creative envelope. And through the years we've honored an array of artists who have contributed to independent cinema Mira Sorvino, Rosanna Arquette, Malcom McDowell, John Hawkes, Laura Dern, Mark Ruffalo, Charles Burnett, Penelope Spheeris, Allison Anders and Robert Altman.

Our audience is comprised of entertainment industry professionals: producers, agents, filmmakers, film financiers and other film, music, TV, video game, Internet, marketing and fashion industry creatives. Films at our festival enjoy the advantage of being seen by the industry influentials that can make a difference in your film and your career.

In the past our primary screening venue is Regal L.A. Live Stadium 14, the only multiplex in downtown Los Angeles, featuring state-of-the-art a/v equipment and facilities. The multiplex is part of the larger L.A. Live entertainment complex featuring 25 restaurants and lounges as well as the Grammy Museum, the Staples Center and other entertainment venues. DTLA is the hub of Los Angeles, and L.A. Live is the hub of DTLA.

TBA

Awards & Winners

There are no winners yet for this festival

Terms and rules

DTLA Film Festival (Downtown Film Festival Los Angeles) - October 21, 2020.

SUBMISSIONS RULES:

Please read this agreement carefully before you submit your screenplay. By submitting your screenplay, you expressly acknowledge and agree that you shall be bound by the terms of this agreement.

1. Original Content: All entries submitted to the DTLAFF Screenplay Competition must be original works by the applicant. If the script is an adaptation or based on source material to which the entrant doesn't own the rights, permission to adapt the original work must be submitted as the first page in the screenplay PDF.

2. Submissions: Submissions must be made online. No mailed or emailed entries are accepted. DTLAFF does not allow changes to the categories after submission. All submissions are final, and DTLAFF does not issue refunds or adjustments of entry fees.

3. Formatting: Screenplays must be formatted according to industry standards. Pages must be numbered and typed in 12 point Courier font. All entries must be submitted in English.

4. Judging: Scripts will be judged based on final scores that cover multiple criteria including, but not limited to, structure, premise, entertainment value, and commercial viability. All finalists and winners are subjectively determined by our judges. All decisions are final.

5. Co-Authors: If a screenplay has more than one author, it is up to the authors to decide how many authors to list on the application and who will be the primary contact email. Awards are given per entry, not per author. Therefore, groups of authors associated with one entry are responsible for the division of award. DTLAFF does not assume responsibility for arrangements with regard to award divisions.

6. Copyright: All entrants are encouraged, but not required to register their screenplays with the Writers’ Guild of America, East or West: www.wgaeast.org/script_registration, or www.wga.org/registration/index.html.

7. There is no limit to the number of screenplays an Entrant can enter. The same screenplay cannot be submitted multiple times under different names. If so, you will be disqualified.

8. Entrant must not be an immediate family member or friend of any of the judges or their respective companies.

9. Entries must be submitted by August 15, 2020 (Regular Deadline). Late submissions will be accepted September 15, 2020, however, higher fees will apply.

10. Completed submission form, submitted electronically via FilmFreeway.

11. All entries must be in English (unless special arrangements have been made with festival.)

Exceptions to the festival regulations must be authorized by the festival’s Director of Programming.

DTLAFF does NOT PAY SHIPPING COSTS/FEES OF ANY KIND.

BY SUBMITTING THE MATERIAL, THE ENTRANT HEREBY AGREES TO INDEMNIFY, HOLD HARMLESS, AND DEFEND DTLAFF, ITS EMPLOYEES, DIRECTORS, REPRESENTATIVES, AND AFFILIATES FROM ANY LIABILITY, CLAIMS, AND DAMAGES IN CONNECTION WITH THE SUBMISSION AND FROM ANY FEES AND EXPENSES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO REASONABLE ATTORNEYS’ FEES, THAT ANY OF THEM MAY INCUR IN CONNECTION THEREWITH.

Ratings & Reviews

Categories and fees

Feature Screenplay
Early Bird (1st July, 2020) $30
Regular (15th August, 2020) $40
Late (15th September, 2020) $50

Must be under 130 pages Entrant’s screenplay must not have been produced or have rights optioned. Screenplays must be submitted as a PDF document. Screenplays accepted with or without a title page. Screenplays should be written in English in Standard Industry Format. Prizes and Judges TBD, table read for winners.

TV Pilot Script
Early Bird (1st July, 2020) $30
Regular (15th August, 2020) $40
Late (15th September, 2020) $50

Must be under 65 pages. Entrant’s screenplay must not have been produced or have rights optioned. Screenplays must be submitted as a PDF document. Screenplays accepted with or without a title page. Screenplays should be written in English in Standard Industry Format. Prizes and Judges TBD

Short Script
Early Bird (1st July, 2020) $20
Regular (15th August, 2020) $30
Late (15th September, 2020) $40

Must be under 60 pages. Entrant’s screenplay must not have been produced or have rights optioned. Screenplays must be submitted as a PDF document. Screenplays accepted with or without a title page.

Documentary Screenplay
Early Bird (1st July, 2020) $30
Regular (15th August, 2020) $40
Late (15th September, 2020) $50

A Split Script – A side-by-side two column format with one side telling what the audience will see and the other side detailing what the audience will hear at the same time during the documentary.

SPECIAL CATEGORY: Feature screenplay of fully completed projects
Early Bird (1st July, 2020) $30
Regular (15th August, 2020) $40
Late (15th September, 2020) $50

Special category: Submit your final feature screenplay of your fully completed film. Films must be from 2019 and newer cannot have had theatrical release or be available on VOD, streaming services or digital on demand before 2021. Screenplays submitted in this category will receive a 100% waiver code to submit their completed FILM for our next film festival (date TBD). Screenplays must be submitted as a PDF document. Screenplays accepted with or without a title page. Screenplays should be written in English in Standard Industry Format. All entries in this category are subject to approval by DTLAFF.

Matchmaking

What is the title of your film?

Type in your film's title

Choose a film to find matches for

Choose one of your film that you're already created, or create a new one to find matches for.

How long is your film?

Tell us your film’s duration

min.

What type of category does your film fall into?

Select one from the following list

What is the genre of your film?

You can select multiple genres

What should be the main focus of your festival strategy?

Please select one option

Monetary award

Select one from the following list

Festival qualifications that you're interested in

You can select multiple options

How much money would you spend on festival submissions?

Define us your submission budget

EUR

Start date of submission

Please enter a date when you plan to start submitting your film to festivals