The Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival (LALIFF), co-founded by Edward James Olmos in 1997, will celebrate its milestone 25th edition from May 27 – May 31, 2026, in Hollywood, CA. Marking a quarter-century of elevating Latino voices, this year’s festival will introduce a new Best Feature Film Award and debut LALIFF Connect: Market & Creative Forum, expanding opportunities for filmmakers while continuing its Oscar®-qualifying recognition for short films.
Now entering its second year as an Oscar®-qualifying festival, LALIFF continues to champion Latino storytellers and celebrate the global impact of Latino cinema. This 25th edition marks a quarter-century of elevating Latino voices and cultivating a platform where their stories resonate across the world. Winners of the Festival’s Best U.S. Latino Live Action Short and Best U.S. Latino Animated Short categories are eligible to submit their films for Academy Award® consideration.
“As we celebrate the 25th edition of LALIFF, a landmark moment for Latino storytelling, we’re not only honoring the incredible journey that brought us here, but also looking ahead to the future of cinema shaped by our voices, with stories that resonate across communities,” said Edward James Olmos, co-founder of LALIFF. “This festival has always been about opening doors and creating opportunities for storytellers, and this milestone year will showcase just how far our community has come, as well as how much further we’re going.”
In honor of its 25th edition, LALIFF will introduce a new Best Feature Film Award. Returning awards include Best U.S. Latino Live Action Short, Best U.S. Latino Animated Short, and Best U.S. Latino Episodic Short. The Works In Progress finishing fund, sponsored by Amazon MGM Studios, is also confirmed to return, continuing to provide critical support for filmmakers in the final stages of their projects.
The 2026 edition will showcase premieres of feature films, episodics, documentaries, and shorts recognized for their artistic vision and storytelling depth. Debuting this year, LALIFF Connect: Market & Creative Forum combines the festival’s Film Market and Industry Forum into a dynamic new program, creating curated opportunities for filmmakers, producers, and financiers to connect through financing, co-production, and creative collaboration.
The festival will also present YCP@LALIFF, the celebrated student showcase, which last year featured nearly 300 short films created by students from the Youth Cinema Project, and the second annual LALIFF Comedy Showcase, highlighting the humor and cultural perspective of U.S.-Latino comedians.
To mark this milestone year, LALIFF will celebrate the 25th edition with special moments and collaborations in the lead-up to the festival, inviting audiences, artists, and partners to join in the countdown to one of the nation’s most respected platforms for Latino storytelling.
Submissions will open on Friday, October 31, 2025. The closing deadline will be announced at a later date. Entries will be accepted in the following categories: U.S. Latino feature films, short films, and episodics, as well as international short films and episodics across all genres.
About Latino Film Institute (LFI)
The Latino Film Institute (LFI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to empowering storytellers and creators and advancing innovation in the entertainment, tech, arts, and media industries. Through its signature programs, including the Youth Cinema Project (YCP), the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival (LALIFF), LFI Scholar, LFI Spotlight Series, and LFI Fellowships, LFI provides transformative opportunities and resources to foster Latino talent and voices in media.
For more information on LFI, visit www.latinofilm.org.
About Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival (LALIFF)
The Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival (LALIFF) is an international event dedicated to excellence in filmmaking. Through film, television, music, and education, LALIFF offers a vibrant stage to celebrate the richness and diversity of Latino cinema through distinct directorial voices and culturally significant narratives.
For more information and updates on LALIFF visit www.laliff.org
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Instagram: @laliff_ and @lfi
Facebook: facebook.com/laliff
LinkedIn: Latino Film Institute
Media Contact:
Loraine Valverde – Latino Film Institute [email protected]