SoCal CIFF 2016

If you're a filmmaker thinking about submitting your short film to film festivals, check out SoCal CIFF. In its third year, they were sold out opening night: August 12, 2016. It was held at the wonderful, historic Raleigh Studios where attendees of the festival gained exclusive entrance on the lot. In addition to complimentary drinks and food for their V.I.P.s, they also had a great exhibit featuring Sara Radovanovitch's eclectic art, and an amazing DJ: Shai'La Yvonne.

Filmmakers arrived from all over the United States and even other countries to promote their current projects, network, grant red carpet interviews, and participate in Q&As after their screenings.

Featuring over 60 shorts with such a level of quality, several managed to stand out including Audience Choice Winner "Q & A" (Adam Epstein), "#Amish" (Kacey Spivey), "Successful People" (Janina Maria), and "The Traveler" (Jonathan Lawrence, Anthony Bradford).

Some filmmakers were already looking ahead to film their next project. Writer/director/actor Oliver Singer mentioned that the script for the feature-length version of "A.W.O.L." was already written. Producer Annie Clark ("Cry Hard") spoke of wanting to make another short before attempting her first feature. Writer/director/actor/producer Tara-Nicole Azarian is at work on a feature-length cosplay documentary.

The festival closed with an exciting awards ceremony. Multiple award-winners at the festival were "S.A.M." (Best Science Fiction and Sean Kaufmann for Best Actor) and "Legend of Dark Rider" (Best Horror and Titus Paar for Best Director). The post-festival party was held at the Moment Hotel on Sunset Boulevard where filmmakers celebrated their awards and got in the final chance to network before the big weekend finished.