Official Selections: 8th LA Student Film Festival
Congratulations to our accepted filmmakers!
Films are listed in alphabetical order, index to the left.
Scroll Down to learn more about each film
MINIFIG
Short
School - Loyola Marymount University
Haunted by his life changing familial loss, a boy ventures into escapist childhood memories while chasing his missing, cherished LEGO minifigure.
Director: Tapio Tokunaga
Producer: Syuen Chia, Meera Macki (co-producer), Charlotte Trudeau (co-producer)
Writer: Tapio Tokunaga, Julia Pai
Cast: Jingbei "Sebastian" Bai, Megumi Morino, Albert Lew
Cinematographer: Samuel Boyar
Editor: Max Carmona
Awards: MINIFIG was selected for official selections at the LA Shorts International Film Festival, Hokkaido International Film Festival, and Hollywood International Diversity Film Festival.
Website: https://www.tapio-tokunaga.com/projects/2024/minifig
Instagram: @tapiotokunaga
Nerot Shel Shabbat
Short
School - California State University Northridge
Director: Lital Mizrahi
Producer: Maya Bellew, Sofia Ribeiro, Gisselle Olmedo-Torres
Writer: Lital Mizrahi
Cast: Talia Martin, Ben Bocko, Hovhannes John Babakhanyan, Sera Heywood-Rakhimova, Emilene Bell, Lilah Dunham, Willow Hale, Nancy Van Iderstine, Saana Laigran Campana, Murphy Towne
Cinematographer: Nick Talarico
Editor: Sophie Wade, Mikayla Hulsey, Rey Repshas
Awards/acolades: Recipient of the Changing Lens Hackman Capital Grant
Instagram: @nerotshelshabbat
Perspectives on a Park Bench
Short Short Film
USA Premiere
School - Los Angeles County High School of the Arts
After a chance encounter in the park, a teenage boy shares music with an elderly woman, uncovering her past as a renowned musician and sparking a conversation about love, dreams, and the importance of appreciating life's journey.
Director: Henry Kaufman
Producer: Hera Farago
Writer: Henry Kaufman
Cast: Henry Kaufman, Teri Ralston, Daniela Arias
Cinematographer: Sabrina Zukowski
Editor: Henry Kaufman
Awards/Additional: Selection at Newport Beach Film Festival, All American High School Film Festival, Los Angeles International Shorts Film Festival, Student Los Angeles Film Festival Nominee
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/henryonfilms/
Natural Selection
Short
School - California State University, Fullerton
A young woman's journey to find love- backed by a nature documentary narrator observing her every move. Through Nicole's idealistic and overly romanticized view of love and finding a partner, the film offers a female perspective on navigating the proverbial jungle of the dating scene.
Director: Amanda D’Ambrosio
Producer: Martina Tucker, Coral Lomeli
Writer: Amanda D’Ambrosio
Cast: Nicole Anneliese Smith, LaToya Blakely, Lo Weaver, Matt Tang, Vincent Doud, Collin Riley, Kasper Michaels
Cinematographer: Ryan Deng, Anthony Gilbert
Editor: Jacob Carroll, Georgina Medina
Awards: Finalist, Los Angeles Student Film Awards; Second Place, Mometu Short Film Contest; Collegiate Showcase, Newport Beach Film Festival
Website: link
Instagram: @natural_selection_film
Peach Through Color
Short
West Coast Premiere
School - University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas
Joaquin Gonzales, a veteran artist battling his traumatic past while facing eviction. Haunted by memories of war and lost dreams, he must rediscover his passion for art in a final attempt to find redemption before it’s too late.
Director: Jake Rogers
Producers: Jake Rogers, Susanna Alford, Trey Guinn, McKenna Moczygemba
Writer: Jake Rogers
Cast: Frank Flores, Trey Guinn, Erik Halley, David F. Mendez, Lily Patino, Gabriel Hill
Cinematographer: Leland Campbell
Editor: Jake Rogers
Awards and Accolades: Best Screenplay and Best Overall Film at UIW Film Festival, May 2024. Competed in the preliminary round of the 51st Student Academy Awards
Website: https://www.jakerogerscreativevisions.com
Instagram: @rogerscinemaproductions
Directors Note:
I am incredibly honored that my film, Peace Through Color, has been accepted for the 8th annual LA Student Film Festival, marking its West Coast Premiere. This is an extraordinary opportunity, and I am thrilled to confirm that I will be in attendance for the screening.
Peace Through Color is a narrative short film created during my final semester of undergrad at the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) in San Antonio, Texas, as my senior thesis project. The story follows Joaquin Gonzales, a veteran artist battling his traumatic past while facing eviction. Haunted by memories of war and lost dreams, he must rediscover his passion for art in a final attempt to find redemption before it’s too late.
This film is particularly meaningful to me, as it delves into themes of guilt, PTSD, and perseverance, inspired by my personal connection to the challenges of being an artist and the influence of veterans in my life. The project brought together a talented team of collaborators. I’d like to highlight the remarkable contributions of several key collaborators. Ginger Chang, our production designer, transformed the “Art Studio” set into an authentic, visually compelling space with over 400 props sourced from the UIW Art Department. Frank Flores, who played Joaquin Gonzales, brought unparalleled depth to the role, even creating the on-screen art seen in the film. His personal experience as an army veteran added authenticity and emotional resonance. Leland Campbell, whose exceptional cinematography elevated the film’s visuals, bringing my vision to life through beautiful lighting and composition.
The film has been recognized with Best Screenplay and Best Overall Film at the UIW Film Festival on May 8, 2024, where it stood out among 15 short films. It was also proudly verified and competed in the preliminary round of the 51st Student Academy Awards, further recognizing its excellence in student filmmaking.
I am excited to begin my MFA in Film and Television Production at the USC School of Cinematic Arts this January, and screening Peace Through Color at the LA Student Film Festival feels like the perfect way to start this next chapter of my filmmaking journey. I am deeply grateful for the platform you provide to emerging filmmakers and look forward to seeing the film on the big screen in Los Angeles.
Rock Star
Short Documentary
World Premiere
School - NYU Tisch School of the Arts
Through his words and guitar, a young musician tells his unconventional story.
Director: Lindsay O'KeefeProducer: Lindsay O'Keefe
Writer: Lindsay O'Keefe
Cast: Teddy Cosmo Coppes
Cinematographer: Lindsay O'Keefe
Editor: Lindsay O'Keefe
This is Lindsay O'Keefe's senior thesis film. She graduated from NYU Tisch in December 2024. She is now an Avid-certified editor who is moving to LA in February 2025. To hear more of Teddy Cosmo's amazing music, look him up on Spotify or Apple Music!