LALIFF 2026 celebrates its 25th edition, marking a quarter-century of sharing authentic stories and bringing poignant and groundbreaking content to audiences in Los Angeles and beyond. This milestone reflects decades of commitment to nurturing talent, showcasing a wide array of voices, and connecting communities through the power of storytelling.
Now in its second year as an Academy Award®–qualifying festival, LALIFF offers winners of the Best U.S. Live Action Short and Best U.S. Animated Short categories eligibility for Oscar® consideration.
Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival
LALIFF 2026 celebrates its 25th edition, marking a quarter-century of sharing stories from the Latino perspective and bringing culturally significant cinema to audiences in Los Angeles and beyond. This milestone reflects decades of commitment to nurturing talent, showcasing authentic voices, and connecting communities through the power of storytelling.
Now in its second year as an Academy Award®–qualifying festival, LALIFF offers winners of the Best U.S. Latino Live Action Short and Best U.S. Latino Animated Short categories eligibility for Oscar® consideration.
May 28th – June 1st, 2025
LALIFF HIGHLIGHTS
With a focus on financing, equity, co-production, content creation, and immersive storytelling, LALIFF Connect: Market & Creative Forum is a curated hub where producers and financiers discover fresh talent, explore cross-border opportunities, and forge partnerships that move projects forward.
YCP@LALIFF, a branded “festival within a festival,” showcases short films and creative content from the Youth Cinema Project (YCP).
SOCIAL FEED
If you watch nine films this Hispanic Heritage Month, make it the ones that opened LALIFF. 🎬
2018 to 2026, opening-night films we’ve chosen. Swipe for the list, save it for movie night.
#LALIFF #HispanicHeritageMonth #LatinoCinema
✨ LALIFF Pick: ONCE IN A BODY
Winner of LALIFF’s Best U.S. Latino Animated Short Film award! 🏆
We’re excited to see this LALIFF selection reach new audiences, with upcoming screenings at festivals across France, Brazil, Portugal, Venezuela, Colombia, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Albania, and Canada. 🌎🎬
Congratulations to the team behind ONCE IN A BODY!
#LALIFF #OnceInABody #LatinoStorytelling #Animation #Filmmaking
✨ LALIFF Pick
“The Birthday Gift”
Spotlighting the winner of LALIFF’s Best U.S. Latino Live Action Short Film Award.
Since its LALIFF win, “The Birthday Gift” has been nominated for Best Short Film at the 41st Annual Imagen Awards and the 2026 Humanitas Prizes. The film will also screen at the Los Angeles Diversity Film Festival, Port Townsend Film Festival, Gig Harbor Film Festival, and Healdsburg Film Festival.
Follow @birthdaygiftfilm to keep up with the film’s journey!
#LALIFF #TheBirthdayGift #ImagenAwards #Humanitas #LatinoStorytelling
Icons of LALIFF 2026 🎬✨
Taking a look back at some of the incredible storytellers who made LALIFF 2026 unforgettable. From powerful shorts and groundbreaking features to bold new voices shaping the future of Latino cinema, these award-winning creators brought inspiring stories and unique perspectives to the screen.
🏆 Best Feature Film
“Valentina” directed by Tatti Ribeiro
Presented by the Latino Film Institute | $4,000 cash prize
🎖 Honorable Mention: “TheyDream” directed by William D. Caballero
🏆 Best U.S. Latino Live Action Short
“The Birthday Gift” directed by Arianna Ortiz and produced by Rachel Stander
Presented by Comcast NBCUniversal Telemundo | $3,000 cash prize
🎖 Honorable Mention: “Rag Dolls” directed by Amy Adler
🏆 Best U.S. Latino Animated Short Film
“Once in a Body” directed by María Cristina Pérez González and produced by Mauricio Cuervo Rincón and Mireia Vilanova
Presented by the Latino Film Institute | $3,000 cash prize
🏆 Best U.S. Episodic Short
“Circo Gómez” by 3 Pas Studios and F3 Media
Presented by Disney Entertainment | $2,000 cash prize
A huge thank you to our incredible juries, featuring acclaimed filmmakers, industry leaders, and creative voices from across the entertainment landscape, for recognizing and celebrating the next generation of Latino storytellers.
Reliving the moments that continue to shape the future of Latino cinema. 💫
#LALIFF #Hollywood #Filmmakers #FilmAwards #fyp
Looking back on the 25th edition of LALIFF, we`re proud to celebrate a partnership that continues to invest in the next generation of storytellers.
Thanks to the continued support of Amazon MGM Studios, the YCP Alumni Fellowship has now completed its fourth cohort, giving young filmmakers the opportunity to work alongside industry mentors and bring their short films to life in a professional production environment.
Thank you, Amazon MGM Studios, for your continued partnership and belief in the power of emerging voices. ❤️
#LatinoFilmInstitute #AmazonMGMStudios #LALIFF #Filmmaking #YouthCinemaProject
2026 SPONSORS
Platinum Sponsor
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INTERESTED IN BECOMING A SPONSOR AT LALIFF 2027? 
Partnering with LALIFF connects your brand to engaged audiences, content creators, youth and cultural milestone moments. Sponsors not only gain visibility across digital and in-person platforms, with exclusive access to screenings, events, and VIP experiences, they also engage in creating meaningful connections with a dynamic and influential community. Our partners invest because we deliver high retention, deep engagement, and visible results.
LALIFF 2026 RECAP
