LOS ANGELES ROCKS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (LARIFF) in the true spirit of the city of LA, champions independent cinema that isn't afraid to push boundaries. The festival showcases emerging and established filmmaking talent from Los Angeles and around the world.
We are looking for passionate films that celebrate equality and challenge the corporatization of film culture. There is much to love about Los Angeles, but let’s face it – the big Hollywood studios have been producing endless sequels that lack any originality for some time now. Great scripts are not made for fear that sensitive subject matter will not find an audience and issues relating to race, sexuality and gender are all-too-often treated superficially.
After years of inertia, things may be moving in the right direction. #MeToo, and Black Lives Matters protests have garnered worldwide attention. Changes are afoot – even the Academy Awards have acknowledged the need to be more inclusive. LA Rocks is at the vanguard of this movement, aiming to create an exciting platform for original voices from all walks of life. If your film embodies our ideals, we will help it to get it the recognition it deserves.
FYI, LARIFF is a ROCKS FILM FESTIVAL, established 2017 (www.rocksfestivals.com). If selected, you will be invited to submit to our exciting UK partner festivals, London Rocks and Brighton Rocks Film Festivals.
LARIFF annual festival is planned for 29-30 May 2021. As part of our mission to rethink the movie-going experience, LA Rocks will hold screenings in unique creative spaces across Los Angeles and Hollywood. The sites will allow multiple screenings and provide spaces permitting physical distancing, in accordance with California’s COVID19 regulations. Please see our website for more information.
Films that meet LA Rocks’ standards will be awarded Official Selection status. Finalists and Winners will be designated in each submission category, prior to 7 May 2021.
Selected Finalist & Winning Short Films will be screened at our ANNUAL FESTIVAL in Hollywood 28-29 May 2021.
All Official Selections are eligible to receive a VIRTUAL SCREENING (at the ROCKS SCREENING ROOM™) & ONLINE SHOWCASING.
There will be one BEST FILM.
There will be one BEST FEATURE FILM (FICTION) & one BEST FEATURE DOCUMENTARY.
There will be WINNERS in each of the following Short Film Categories: ANIMATION, COMEDY, CORONADIARIES, DOCUMENTARY, DRAMA, EXPERIMENTAL FILM, FANTASY/HORROR/SCI-FI, NO/LOW-BUDGET, LGBTQ+, MADE IN LOS ANGELES, MICRO MOVIE, MUSIC VIDEO, STUDENT FILM & WEB SERIES.
Official Selections are automatically considered for the following awards: BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY, DIRECTOR, EDITING, ORIGINAL SCORE, PERFORMANCE (up to 3 awards), SCREENPLAY, SET DESIGN, SPECIAL EFFECTS & LA SPIRIT AWARD.