Director: Adam Zopf
R
A mysterious man stays inside a small home that doesn’t seem to be his. He pretends he lives there to those that visit the door and the people he invites over via dating apps. It’s only through these interactions, and the state of the home after they leave, that we begin to piece together what might be happening in scenes that are being omitted.
WORLD PREMIERE
NOON
May 16th Regal Cinemas / L.A. LIVE 14
Director: Leo Liberti
PG-13 Brazil / United Kingdom
Best Music Video
MUSIC VIDEOS 16-A
This year 2026, besides marking Iron Maiden's 50th anniversary, Bruce Dickinson reimagines his classic song “Tears of the Dragon” exactly as he had always envisioned it, now accompanied by a full orchestra.
Instead of creating a traditional music video, Bruce presents a poetic and experimental short film, with his music serving as its emotional and narrative backbone.
Beyond that, he seeks to portray his own journey in a deeply poetic and introspective way. This short film ventures into Bruce’s unconscious, revealing two parallel realms: a ruined warehouse and the vast ocean. Both stand as archetypal symbols of the unconscious, yet they exist in different dimensions of experience.
PREMIERE
1:15pm
May 16th Regal Cinemas / L.A. LIVE 14
Director: Jean Delaunay
R France
MUSIC VIDEOS 16-A
For the release of the Leather Temple album, Jean Delaunay had the distinct honor of directing and producing the second beat in a trilogy of videos celebrating the grand return of Carpenter Brut.
Collaborating directly with the artist, a narrative that expands the universe of this new album was crafted. Diving full throttle into a Sci-Fi Cyberpunk aesthetic, this video was conceived as a tribute to the gritty, vintage Japanese anime of the 80s and 90s.
USA PREMIERE
1:15pm
May 16th Regal Cinemas / L.A. LIVE 14
Director: MaLo Sutra Fish
R France / USA
MUSIC VIDEOS 16-A
Filmed in France and the USA, using four different types of film, this music film pays tribute to the incredible resilience and transcendence of Shannon Shaw, accompanied by bone fide Cody Blanchard, Will Sprott, and Nate Mahan.
Using public interviews and personal conversations, the film’s editing was based on the experimental projection bi-packing technique - overlaying 2 films one on top of the other - to fully convey the complexity of grief, and above all, the incredibly strong bond between a band and their audience in the face of adversity. An ode to resilience.
Shot in Ektachrome, TriX, Kodachrome and Vision 3, and using cross processing, all films were developed by hand. All the editing is made analogically, including frame by frame animation and overlays.
WEST COAST PREMIERE
1:15pm
May 16th Regal Cinemas / L.A. LIVE 14
Director: Tristan Pelletier
G
MUSIC VIDEOS 16-A
"Shiny Things,"" by Polartropica and Gilbert Louie Ray, is a heartfelt exploration of love, loss, and renewal.
Inspired by the nostalgic melodies of John Denver and the surfy harmonies of The Beach Boys, the track reflects on the bittersweet process of letting go and finding strength in forgiveness.
The accompanying music video reimagines these themes through a whimsical pirate odyssey set in the Salton Sea’s sun-scorched desert. Beneath its playful exterior lies a deeper narrative of resilience, of learning to navigate life’s storms and rediscovering joy after heartbreak.
L.A. PREMIERE
1:15pm
May 16th Regal Cinemas / L.A. LIVE 14
Director: Gordie
PG
MUSIC VIDEOS 16-A
"Move With Me" is a liquid drum and base song about experiencing new love, adventure, and hardships. Its experimental nature led to the development of an intimate - yet chaotic visual world.
This video focuses on transitions from one universe to another - using touch design, mannequins, paint, feathers, the beautiful ari alexa mini, and a small but mighty crew.
IFS PREMIERE
1:15pm
May 16th Regal Cinemas / L.A. LIVE 14
Director: Julius Charles Ritter
PG-13
MUSIC VIDEOS 16-A
A magnetic, no-nonsense front woman finds herself stuck in a cycle of low-effort romance, late-nights, empty promises, and a husband who never quite shows up. Tired of settling, she flips the script, turning her frustration into a bold personal manifesto: if you want her, you’ve got a "Long Way To Go".
IFS PREMIERE
1:15pm
May 16th Regal Cinemas / L.A. LIVE 14
Director: Yandy Liu
G
Best Experimental Short
MUSIC VIDEOS 16-A
When Day Breaks is a silent, visually driven meditation on loss, memory, and the fragile thread between the living and the dead. Set against the chaos of armed conflict, a daughter killed as a civilian lingers between life and memory as she observes her mother's grief from beyond. Her final presence becomes an unspoken act of comfort, reaching across the divide.
What does it mean for the living to hold on? And what does it take to keep living?
WORLD PREMIERE
1:15pm
May 16th Regal Cinemas / L.A. LIVE 14
Director: Juan Belardi
PG
Best Animated Film
HORROR AWARD PROGRAM 16-B
The story of a young musician whose ambition is matched only by her haunted past.
Struggling to secure her place in the competitive world of classical music, Daniela faces rejection at every turn and the looming threat of eviction from her home. When she encounters Mr. Morrison, a conductor with a miraculous proposition, Daniela’s life takes a sinister turn.
To compete in Morrison’s music program, Daniela vows to complete her late mother’s symphony “Burning Rope” but claims it as her own. As she delves into the piece, Daniela faces off with her troubled past and warnings from a recurring visitor. As the boundary between reality and nightmare blurs, Daniela faces a chilling revelation and must confront the darkness within herself.
IFS PREMIERE
2:00pm
May 16th Regal Cinemas / L.A. LIVE 14
Director: Sonia Janae
PG-13
HORROR AWARD PROGRAM 16-B
In this suspenseful horror, Christine is happily welcomed in by a Mother, of two peculiar children, rushing out the door.
What should have been an easy weekend of babysitting for Christine, turns into an unexpected night of nostalgic games. As she continuously attempts to connect with the kids, they only have one thing on their minds - hide and seek.
As the games continue and the stakes are heightened throughout the night, you'll be left to decide who can hide the best. Hide & Seek is an unsettling thriller that warns us, we may run, …but we can't hide!
WORLD PREMIERE
2:00pm
May 16th Regal Cinemas / L.A. LIVE 14
Director: Lauren Dunitz
PG-13
Best Horror Short
HORROR AWARD PROGRAM 16-B
For social media superstar Alice Anger, the arrival of June 6th every year means one grisly thing: she must find and kill a pure follower in order to maintain her beauty, fame, and fortune for another year. Such are the rules of her Faustian curse. Unfortunately for Alice, this year's victim, Vicki, isn't going down without a fight.
This film is a candy-coated meditation on the cost of 21st century fame, and the way social media both uplifts and cannibalizes young women. It's a campy, sapphic thrill ride that follows the whirlwind romance between a celebrity and a "regular" person. It's THE SUBSTANCE meets NOTTING HILL for the internet era that never fails to remind you, be careful who you STAN.
WORLD PREMIERE
2:00pm
May 16th Regal Cinemas / L.A. LIVE 14
Director: Claire Renée Frankland
PG-13
Best Thriller Short
Horror Award Program 16-B
A celebratory night is cut short for a group of college friends…
'Guilt Trip' evokes the gut-sinking sensations of regret, loneliness, and fear. In falling into this pit of desperation, one loses their faith and soul - they are clouded by “what ifs”, locked into the prison that their own mind constructs. This is a cautionary tale which finds an opportunity for hope and peace amidst its sorrow.
WORLD PREMIERE
2:00pm
May 16th Regal Cinemas / L.A. LIVE 14
SPECIAL EVENT
Red Carpet Press & Photo Event 2:30pm-5:00pm
Get your press & personal photos taken on the IFS / L.A. Film Festival Red Carpet before the Award Ceremony and show off those swanky threads! The Red Carpet Photo Event takes place from 2:30pm-5:00pm just prior to the Award Ceremony.
Festival filmmakers can get press and staff photos taken while dressed up in their Award Ceremony threads and disperse to the Award Ceremony: just in time to line up for entry. Festival filmmakers and attendees not attending the Award Ceremony may also attend the Red Carpet Photo Event!
Red Carpet Event:Schedule
2:15pm: Line Up for Red Carpet Photo Event Begins
2:30pm: Red Carpet Event Begins: with Getty, Wire Image and Festival Staff Photographers.
5:00pm: Photo Event Ends. Red Carpet Closed.
5:20pm: Award Ceremony attendees are directed towards the Award Ceremony venue and entry line at LA LIVE.
Red Carpet Event located at L.A. LIVE Venue: To Be Announced
WORLD PREMIERE
2:30pm - 5:00pm
May 16th Venue: To Be Announced
Director: Gattlin Griffith
PG
COMEDY FILMS 16-C
Born Outlaws is a proof-of-concept for a Western action-comedy that blends high-stakes stunt work with heartfelt storytelling. Shot with a volunteer crew and practical effects on the historic site of Vasquez Rocks, the piece showcases dynamic horseback action with a comedic premise. The film uses no stunt doubles, as the leads perform all of their own stunt horsemanship. The teaser highlights both the scale of the action and conveys an emotional thread of family and a desperate need to connect.
IFS PREMIERE
3:00pm
May 16th Regal Cinemas / L.A. LIVE 14
Director: Steve Rodgers
PG-13
Best Comedy Short
COMEDY FILMS 16-C
A costumed mascot, fueled by an unyielding ambition to break into the entertainment industry, unexpectedly finds himself in a high-stakes situation: a chance encounter with a renowned Hollywood agent at a boisterous children's birthday party, where he must use his comedic timing and infectious energy to make a lasting impression, all while navigating a chaotic environment filled with cake, confetti, and the boundless enthusiasm of screaming kids…and Adults.
WORLD PREMIERE
3:00pm
May 16th Regal Cinemas / L.A. LIVE 14
Director: Eda Benjakul
TV-14 PG-13
Best Actress in a Short Film - Debbon Ayer
Best Episodic Project
COMEDY FILMS 16-C
Emily is finally living her Beverly Hills dream — until her D-list best friend Rachel and busy-body social-climbing sister-in-law Sarah move in.
They fake a reception for Claire who has to generate social media content for a wedding that no longer exists. As everyone’s carefully-curated online lives are crumbling, Emily has a full house of women fleeing both the law and midlife, each faking success to maintain appearances.
Life after 50 is a minefield of midlife meltdowns and menopause, and her husband Hank finds it all fascinating fodder. Inspired by the household chaos, Hank sees the perfect material for a sitcom and writes their next act. Emily wanted peace; instead she got a pilot season.
IFS PREMIERE
3:00pm
May 16th Regal Cinemas / L.A. LIVE 14
Director: Eric "Ptah" Herbert
PG
Best Independent Short
AWARD FILMS 16-D
FADE is an intimate coming-of-age short about a father and son navigating a quiet rite of passage. Set over a single day, the film explores masculinity, legacy, and the unspoken lessons passed down between generations.
Where THE WOOD meets BARBERSHOP, FADE captures the moment when a boy begins to grow up, and a family must learn to let go.
WORLD PREMIERE
4:00pm
May 16th Regal Cinemas / L.A. LIVE 14
Director: Luke Meseke
R
AWARD FILMS 16-D
Los Angeles, 1997, a friendly rivalry at an Armenian-owned auto repair shop turns ugly.
A depressed mechanic struggles to get over an ex-girlfriend. Hollywood's latest "it girl" begins to spiral. As classes collide in this offbeat dark comedy.
IFS PREMIERE
4:00pm
May 16th Regal Cinemas / L.A. LIVE 14
Director: Joslyn Rose
PG-13
Best Director of a Short Film
Best Actor in a Short Film - Blair Underwood
AWARD FILMS 16-D
David, a once-brilliant jazz musician, can no longer hear music.
Doctors search for a diagnosis while debating whether his condition is neurological or psychological, but answers remain elusive. As pressure mounts to institutionalize him, David is guided through an unconventional therapy that pulls him into memories of faith, discipline, and unresolved trauma.
David confronts the voices that shaped him and the fear that silenced him. When he finally stops searching for proof and allows himself to listen inwardly, sound returns in an unexpected way, raising questions about perception, healing, and whether truth needs to be witnessed to be real.
WORLD PREMIERE
4:00pm
May 16th Regal Cinemas / L.A. LIVE 14
Director: Joey Brooks
PG-13
Best Short Film
AWARD SHORT FILMS 16-E
The dean of admissions at a European Art School makes a small selfish local choice with a giant global impact.
L.A. PREMIERE
4:45pm
May 16th Regal Cinemas / L.A. LIVE 14
Director: Arsen Diushekeev
R
Best LGBTQ Short Film
AWARD SHORT FILMS 16-E
This LGBTQ+ drama-comedy is set in the heart of West Hollywood, where one unforgettable night turns into an emotional reckoning.
Aziz, a young queer immigrant, is navigating love, intimacy, and identity in a culture that promises freedom but reveals unexpected complexity. What begins as a fleeting connection quickly spirals into a confrontation with desire, vulnerability, and the illusion of belonging.
WORLD PREMIERE
4:45pm
May 16th Regal Cinemas / L.A. LIVE 14
Director: Eliot Galán
PG-13
Best Drama Short
AWARD SHORT FILMS 16-E
Two teens discover the thrill of shoplifting, and in the process steal each other's hearts.
Solara (Madison Russ) is a strong-willed but impressionable teen who falls under the spell of Mary (Mila Nabours), an expert in the art of the five-finger discount. Their parents, Jed (Dax Campbell) and June (Ginger O'Toole), meanwhile have strong opinions about "acceptable behavior," despite being anything but role models themselves.
A pair of explosive family meltdowns drive the kids away, to chase freedom and a break from the chaos. Will they learn their lesson?
WORLD PREMIERE
4:45pm
May 16th Regal Cinemas / L.A. LIVE 14
Director: Jessica Makinson
PG-13
AWARD SHORT FILMS 16-E
Rummagers is a comedic web series about two freshly divorced gentlemen who decide to do the hard thing and furnish their new apartment only with items from garage sales, probate auctions, and estate liquidations. Forcing themselves all at once to be patient enough to seek out the right pieces, to negotiate for what they want, and to interact with the strangest of strangers. Ultimately putting their lives back together one tchotchke at a time.
WORLD PREMIERE
4:45pm
May 16th Regal Cinemas / L.A. LIVE 14
SPECIAL EVENT - L.A. Film Fest Award Ceremony.
The 35th Annual IFS AWARD CEREMONY is where the IFS Film Society membership honors the best independent cinema of the year.
Our Award Ceremony celebrates truly independent filmmaking, with awards democratically chosen by votes from the 140+ members of the IFS Film Society, tonight being presented to this season's Award Winners.
Surprise celebrity guests are also known to stop by and greet tomorrow's legends at what has become the largest, most talked about event of the festival every year, this is the event Not To Be Missed!
Come join us for the fun!
Get tickets early, as this event sells out quickly each year. To make sure you get a seat at this popular event, check out our tickets sales online!
Award Ceremony Tickets are only available for sale online at ifsfilm.com.
Purchased tickets must be redeemed at L.A. Film Fest Box Office at L.A. LIVE for event entry.
AWARD CEREMONY Event Schedule
5:30pm - Ceremony Line Up BEGINS.
6:00pm - Doors Open & Seating BEGINS.
6:10pm - No Late Entry after 6:10pm.
6:10pm - Award Ceremony BEGINS.
Award Ceremony is located at L.A. LIVE
Check in at the LA Film Fest Box Office at LA LIVE for event directions
6:00pm - 7:45pm
May 16th L.A. LIVE - Venue To Be Announced
Director: Randy Kent
PG
A lonely man discovers he has an ability to talk to dogs after a sudden illness strikes. Through a series of adventures, mishaps, and conversations with his new “friends”, Bob rediscovers life’s joys. It’s a story of love, loss, and renewal. A drama/comedy for all ages.
West Coast PREMIERE
6:15pm
May 16th Regal Cinemas / L.A. LIVE 14
Director: Joey Bicicchi
R
Best Actor - Emile Hirsch
Best Supporting Actress - Jackie Cruz
Best Horror Film
This is a film that tells of unhealthy coping mechanisms and the combat against depression, phobias, and delusions.
Dusty has deliberately structured his life, by way of meditation, yoga, boxing, nutrition, and hygiene, to manage a clean and safe environment. What happens when Dusty’s flawless system fails? Woozy, a figment who torments Dusty appears...
WORLD PREMIERE
7:30pm
May 16th Regal Cinemas / L.A. LIVE 14
Director: Tereza Hirsch
R
Best Director - Tereza Hirsch
Michael grows increasingly suspicious that his fiancée Danielle is cheating on him with her friend Ryan. After his mother dies, Danielle suggests using a Ouija board to contact her spirit, triggering a series of disturbing events in their home.
As the paranormal activity escalates, Danielle becomes convinced that something has attached itself to Michael. Isolated and terrified, he begins to lose his grip on reality while their relationship starts to fracture.
The line between psychological and supernatural horror blurs as Michael is pushed to his breaking point. What begins as grief spirals into a chilling game of control, where trust becomes the most dangerous illusion of all.
WORLD PREMIERE
8:00pm
May 16th Regal Cinemas / L.A. LIVE 14
Director: Carl Reid
R
Best Feature FIlm Thriller
The cautionary tale of what happens when one man is pushed to the brink by predatory institutions that frequently exploit people’s suffering.
It is no secret that there are fundamental issues with the tolerated systems of this country that affect everyone's daily lives...often for the worse. With increased frequency, these inflection points unearth festering pain, resentment, and outright rage in the general public.
WORLD PREMIERE
9:30pm
May 16th Regal Cinemas / L.A. LIVE 14
Director: Rustam Vekilov
PG-13
Best Drama Feature
An agnostic psychiatrist and director of a secluded residential facility, has built his life on the belief that every darkness of the human mind can be explained and treated. But after the devastating loss of his newborn child fractures his marriage, he buries himself in work—until a patient is found brutally murdered under inexplicable circumstances.
When more disturbing deaths follow, eerie patterns begin to surface, challenging everything Aidan thought he understood. The deeper he investigates, the more his scientific worldview unravels, replaced by ancient symbols, biblical parallels, and a growing sense of something far more sinister at play.
WORLD PREMIERE
10:00pm
May 16th Regal Cinemas / L.A. LIVE 14
9:00pm - 12:00am
PARTY EVENT - Award-Night After-Party
Join us for the biggest and most exciting party event of the year: the Award-Night After-Party.
Socialize with filmmakers and industry professionals - at our most special party event.
Purchase a Festival Party Ticket Package to be able to check out all of our festival parties and events. Party & Event Tickets are available online only at: ifsfilm.com
All Party & Reception Event Tickets must be redeemed at the festival Box Office (located in the lobby of Regal Stadium Cinemas / L.A. Live) to be exchanged for Festival Party Entry Passes.
After-Party venue located at or near L.A. LIVE.
After-Party Schedule
Saturday, May 16th | 10:00pm - 12:00am
Line up for entry begins at 9:45pm
L.A. LIVE Venue: To Be Announced