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The full schedule for the Indie Short Fest Annual Awards 2025–2026 is now live.
Following a year-long journey across monthly competitions, the 6th Indie Short Fest Annual Awards bring together a curated selection of standout short films, emerging from thousands of submissions and representing a truly global community of filmmakers.
The event will take place on May 9, 2026, at Regal LA Live in Los Angeles, featuring a full day of screenings across three auditoriums, industry events, and the Awards Show.
Browse all screening blocks, film lineups, and program details:
A Full Day of Cinema Across Three Auditoriums
The 2025–2026 edition features:
- 11 curated screening blocks
- Films from over 20 countries, including powerful international storytelling from Bahrain, Iran, Israel, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, and beyond
- A wide range of World, North American, U.S., and Los Angeles premieres
- Filmmaker Q&A sessions throughout the day
- A red carpet photocall, press interviews, and cocktail reception
- An industry panel and networking opportunities
- The Annual Awards Show, celebrating the year’s best films
Each program has been curated around distinct themes, offering audiences a diverse cinematic experience, from Women’s Voices and Human Stories to Documentary, Horror, Sci-Fi, and Comedy.
Highlights from This Year’s Lineup
This year’s selection reflects both emerging voices and internationally recognized talent, with a strong presence of premiere screenings and award-winning work.
Among the highlights:
- The Pearl Comb — Oscar-shortlisted for Best Live Action Short, featured in the Shadows & Secrets program
- A lineup featuring acclaimed actors such as Alistair Petrie (Rogue One, The Night Manager), Joe Mantegna (The Godfather Part III, Criminal Minds), Richard Brake (Game of Thrones, Batman Begins), Stephen McKinley Henderson (Dune, Fences), Stephen Tobolowsky (Groundhog Day, Memento)
- European talent including Andrzej Konopka, known for Corpus Christi and The Hater, contributing to the festival’s strong international presence
- A diverse mix of storytelling—from intimate personal narratives to bold genre filmmaking—reflecting the evolving landscape of independent cinema
Join Us in Los Angeles
Whether attending a single screening or experiencing the full day, the Indie Short Fest Annual Awards offer a complete festival experience—bringing together filmmakers, industry professionals, and audiences in celebration of independent cinema.
A range of passes is available, including VIP, Plus, Screening Blocks, and event-specific access.
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