Logo of LA Under the Stars Film Festival

Deadline
09 Jul 2026


Published: 14 Sep 2025
 Has submission fees
Short films


Banner LA Under the Stars Film Festival

LA Under the Stars Film Festival

Los Angeles, United States


LA Under the Stars is an IMDb-accredited, Top 100 Best-Reviewed international film festival hosted in the heart of Los Angeles.

Now in our 8th year, LAUTS continues to celebrate bold storytelling and creative voices from around the world. Held at the historic El Cid Theater on Sunset Boulevard, the festival blends old Hollywood charm with the vibrant indie spirit of Silver Lake.

We’ve showcased work featuring talent like Woody Harrelson, Juno Temple, and Danny Trejo, and continue to champion fresh, original voices—both on screen and on the page.

Why Submit?

IMDb-eligible recognition for all Official Selections

Red carpet interviews & step-and-repeat photos

Live Q&A sessions for selected filmmakers & screenwriters

Packed screenings with an engaged, passionate LA audience

Audience Choice voting

Custom-designed trophies & exclusive filmmaker perks

VIP access and networking with fellow creatives

Diverse international judging panel

Dedicated awards for both films and screenplays

Awards & Prizes
Notable Awards Include:

SUPERSTAR – Best Overall Film

WONDER WOMAN – Outstanding Female Filmmaker

AUDIENCE CHOICE – Voted by the audience

SCRIPT SUPERNOVA – Top Feature & Short Screenplay

Best Director, Actor, Actress, Comedy, Horror, Animation, Documentary, Student Short

M. Night Shyamalan Award – Best Plot Twist

City of Angels Spotlight – Best LA Film

Special Jury Prize – For extraordinary impact

Submit your project today and join us for an unforgettable night of storytelling, community, and celebration—under the stars.


International Festival

Short film festival


 Fiction  Documentary  Animation  Fantastic  Terror  Experimental  Music Video