The 9th annual UCLAxFilmFest features three days of no-cost, in-person events and virtual screenings, celebrating short films by current and previous UCLA Extension Entertainment Studies students. It culminates in a screening and party at the historic Los Angeles Theatre in downtown Los Angeles.
April 4
Industry Panel and Networking Event
Join us in-person for an Entertainment Industry Panel on "Leveling Up after a Successful Short Film" at the Gayley Center in Westwood Village. The panel begins at 6pm and will be followed by a catered networking event. Attendance is free, but space is limited.
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April 5
Official Film Screenings, Awards, and After Party
Join us in-person at the beautiful and historic Los Angeles Theatre to screen unforgettable short films by Entertainment Studies students from 11am to 5pm. Stay for the Awards Ceremony and Party where we will celebrate all of our talented UCLA Extension filmmakers!
Or sign up for virtual screening access.
Stay tuned for additional events throughout the festival weekend.
For those unable to attend in person and friends and family around the world, RSVP for access to virtually screen the 2025 film selections. You'll also enjoy filmmaker interviews, cast and crew bios, and behind the scenes photos.
Above the Desert with No Name
Directed by Sonia Sebastian*
Written by Heather Older
Produced by Maarten Cornelis, Heather Older and Sonia Sebastian*
Cinematography by Tamara Santos* and Erick Turcios
Amorous
Written & Directed by Tanya Jade*
Produced by Joel Crane and Tanya Jade*
Cinematography by Joel Crane
Arrowhead
Written & Directed by Reinhard J Cate*
Produced by Austin Simmons
Cinematography by Nate McLean
Original Score by Alexander Arntzen
Buckets
Written and Directed by Dan Lubetkin*
Produced by Jenica Bergere and Dan Lubetkin*
Cinematography by Grant Smith
Cat.
Written and Directed by Jessica Redish*
Produced by Alpha Faye, Terry Hardacre and Jessica Redish*
Clarity
Written and Directed by Joseph Oliver Hooten*
Produced by Don Ohmer and Kyle Smithers
Cinematography by Adriana Serrato
Original Score by Daniele Truocchio
Delphinium
Written and Directed by Melissa Puente* and Patience Ray
Produced by Patience Ray
Echoes in the Dark
Written and Directed by Connie Jo Sechrist*
Produced by Kristen Brancaccio and Connie Jo Sechrist*
Cinematography by Darren Joe
Composition by Matthew James
The Experiment
Directed and Produced by Maxim Akbarov
Written by Timur Akbarov*
Fighter
Written, Directed and Produced by David Higinio*
Cinematography by Gilberto Alves
Original Score by Sebastian Felipe Celis
In Plane Sight
Directed by Ben Gutteridge*
Written by Dave Beazley and Ben Gutteridge*
Produced by Paul Thomas
Cinematography by Matthew Emvin Taylor
Original Score by Ben Barber*
Johnny Malibu
Directed by William Mazzola*
Written by Carol Saraiva*
Produced by Maju Cancella and Bia Gallo
Marriage Interview
Written, Directed and Produced by Shirley Yip*
Cinematography by Caleb Tou
Original Score by Lydia Ainsworth
Match Dot Mom
Written and Directed by Tara Parian*
Produced by Stacey Haid and Eve Symington
Cinematography by Rachel Bickert
Original Score by Freya Berkhout
Min
Written and Directed by Soo Jin Jeong*
Produced by Suah Shim ad Thomas Percy Kim
Cinematography by Youngcheul Kim (K.S.C.)
Original Score by Tae Gyun Kim
Obsession
Written and Directed by Devon Kane*
Produced by Michael Goi, Devon Kane* and Madelaine Melcher
Cinematography by Ariana Hoshino
Physical Therapy
Written and Directed by Ahuatl Amaro*
Produced by Brian Bonilla and Jason Genao
Cinematography by Daniel Miramontes
Music by Sean Segal
Sema and Kara
Written and Directed by Lal Okyar*
Produced by Zeynep Çalka
Animated by Arda Şahinbaş, Bengisu Cengiz, Deniz Karadağ and Zeynep Çalka
The Serene Place
Directed by Shriya Rana*
Written by Shreyas Ayaluri*
Produced by Rui Dong and Shriya Rana*
Original Score by Miquel Pardo
Sexy Grandma
Written, Directed and Produced by Jonathan Wolfe*
Cinematography by Dimitri Luedemann*
The Velvet Kiss
Written and Directed by Michael David Yudcovitch*
Produced by Melissa Jay and Michael David Yudcovitch*
Cinematography by Senda Bonnet
Music Composition by Lorne Yudcovitch
Best Film
Driftwood
Written and Directed by Christopher Hills Eaton*
Produced by Christopher Hills Eaton*, Anderson Clark and Brad Post
Animated by Aaron Brown
Composed by Jack Sligh
Best Director
William Mazzola* for Andean Condor
Best Unique & Artistic Film
The 1971 Kitchen Grand Brie
Written, Directed, Produced and Animated by Ian Beckman*
Entertainment Studies Award
Elevate
Written & Directed by Dylan Boom
Produced by Connie Jo Sechrist*
Audience Choice Award
The Dot
Written and Directed by Efe Tuncay*
* UCLA Extension Student or Alumni
UCLAxFilmFest 2024 was held at the historic Los Angeles Theatre in Downtown Los Angeles. UCLA Extension is no stranger to downtown – in fact, that’s where it all started more than 100 years ago.
And with UCLA’s recent acquisition of the iconic Trust Building, the continuing education arm of the institution plans to return to its roots to better serve those at the heart of the city.
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