Hollywood Short Film Festival
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The Festival is OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
All films are PG-13.

Welcome to the
Sunset Film Festival Los Angeles
May 4, 2025, 11a-6p

Los Angeles Performing Arts Conservatory
1534 Highland Ave, Hollywood, CA 90028


This is an international annual event held in Los Angeles CA. We screen local, national and international films. BEST OF THE BEST. We screen comedies, dramas, music videos, and more. Great networking for actors, filmmakers, and other artists. Meet filmmakers who created selected films in PERSON! Stay for the Q&A with film directors, and enjoy the Awards Ceremony, Red Carpet, and the After Party.

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1% of all ticket and festival merchandise sales go to Free Arts for Abused Children
www.freearts.org

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Tickets
BLOCK 1, 11 AM, Short Films, Q&A w/Filmmakers ($7 here, $10 doors)
BLOCK 2, 1 PM, Short Films, Q&A w/Filmmakers ($7 here, $10 doors)
BLOCK 3, 3 PM, Short Films, Q&A w/Filmmakers ($7 here, $10 doors)
ALL FILMS PASS, 12-4 PM, All Short Films, All Q&As w/Filmmakers ($20 here, $25 doors)

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Location (map)
Los Angeles Performing Arts Conservatory
1534 Highland Ave, Hollywood, CA 90028
(200 feet from the Chinese Theater and Walk of Fame)

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Suggested Parking (map)
6725 Sunset Blvd Garage - 250 spots. Please note festival do not validate parking


Submit your Film or Screenplay
Is your next project ready? If "YES," submit it for the next festival edition via FilmFreeway here:
filmfreeway.com/SunsetFilmFestivalLosAngeles

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Festival Reviews
More reviews at filmfreeway.com/SunsetFilmFestivalLosAngeles

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Films we selected in the past
Watch now! Amazon Prime and Tubi have it @ www.lacinefest.org/films

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Films we selected this year
The Festival is OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
All films are PG-13.

Schedule. Sunday, May 4
10:30a Doors Open
11:00a Screening Block #1

The Feast of No Return, Director Sabrina Bomberg, Animation, United States, 2:40 FILMMAKERS IN PERSON!
The Knocker, Directors Sara Caldwell, Walter Gorey, Drama, United States, 9:18 FILMMAKERS IN PERSON!
Statistical Probabilities, Director Ryan O'Leary, Comedy, United States, 21:45 FILMMAKERS IN PERSON!
Death Valley: Land Of Extremes, Director Bill Wisneski, Documentary, United States, 9:00
Salamander's land, Director Ekaterina Ulyanova, Animation, Russian Federation, 9:00 (english cc)
Welcome Home, Director Alan Lacy, Documentary, United States, 20:38

Approx. 74 minutes
12:20p Q&A with Filmmakers
12:40 Break/Networking Time


1:00p Screening Block #2
Stay At Home, Mom, Director Mary Zappulla, Comedy, United States, 12:32
The Little Chapel, Director Michael Farmer, Documentary, United States, 17:15 FILMMAKERS IN PERSON!
The Resurrection of Spring, Director Mark Laty, Drama, United States, 9:24 (english cc)
The Sweet Side of Crazy, Director Kaylee Grace Hoy, Documentary, United States, 30:00 FILMMAKERS IN PERSON!

Approx. 71 minutes
2:20p Q&A with Filmmakers
2:40 Break/Networking Time


3:00p Screening Block #3
Tony, Director Ben Marlowe, Animation, United States, 9:00 FILMMAKERS IN PERSON!
Sugar Rush, Director Hayden Goldman, Thriller, United States, 7:37 FILMMAKERS IN PERSON!
Jack, Director Julian Curi, Adventure, United States, 5:00 FILMMAKERS IN PERSON!
Smile for the Dead, Director Hamilton Young Ward, Documentary, United States, 54:03
Approx. 76 minutes

4:20p Q&A with Filmmakers
4:45p Awards Ceremony
5:00p After-Party
6:00p Festival Ends


About Films
11:00a Screening Block #1

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The Feast of No Return, Director Sabrina Bomberg, Animation, United States, 2:40
FILMMAKERS IN PERSON!

A greedy horse attempts to eat every flower in sight. Will he go too far?


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The Knocker, Directors Sara Caldwell, Walter Gorey, Drama, United States, 9:18
FILMMAKERS IN PERSON!

In 1830s Manchester, a young mother must confront the malevolent presence of ‘The Knocker’ to protect her family, amid the relentless struggles of urban cotton mill workers.


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Statistical Probabilities, Director Ryan O'Leary, Comedy, United States, 21:45
FILMMAKERS IN PERSON!
WATCH TRAILER

Luca and his knucklehead buddy Tommy head to a speed dating event on a Tuesday evening in their suburban Long Island hometown. They each meet a variety of daters throughout the evening until Luca eventually meets Natalie. There is an instant connection between them with dialogue flowing from President Nixon, The Beatles, their viewpoints on love, and Italian cured meats. The bell rings, their date ends, and the probabilities of them falling in love is purely statistical...or is it?


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Death Valley: Land Of Extremes, Director Bill Wisneski, Documentary, United States, 9:00
Stretching through the upper region of the Mojave Desert in southeastern California, lies a mythical land of many extremes. It is the lowest, driest, and hottest point in North America, with the highest recorded temperature on earth. This vast and diverse landscape is one of the most unique regions in the country. Filled with historic evidence of fascinating geologic formations and astonishing views, visitors come from around the world to explore the mysterious beauty of Death Valley National Park.

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Salamander's land, Director Ekaterina Ulyanova, Animation, Russian Federation, 9:00 (english cc)
A man opens his eyes and discovers that he is a guest in the land of salamanders. A story inspired by the "Kappa" by R. Akutagawa and K. Chapek's "War with Newts".

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Welcome Home, Director Alan Lacy, Documentary, United States, 20:38
WATCH TRAILER
Welcome Home celebrates the incredible story of wolf reintroduction to Colorado. When the people of Colorado voted to return wolves to the state, they set in motion a unique conservation success story. Welcome Home shows the value of returning this iconic and beloved carnivore to Colorado and how the state is recovering wolves in a thoughtful way that cares for wildlife and people.



1:00p Screening Block #2

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Stay At Home, Mom, Director Mary Zappulla, Comedy, United States, 12:32
What happens when a mom gets pushed to the brink...
by her adorable offspring...

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The Little Chapel, Director Michael Farmer, Documentary, United States, 17:15
FILMMAKERS IN PERSON!
In a university where anxiety and uncertainty are on the rise, students find solace in a chapel. This experimental exploration unveils untold narratives concealed within communal prayer journals hidden within the school's sacred space.

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The Resurrection of Spring, Director Mark Laty, Drama, United States, 9:24 (english cc)
WATCH TRAILER
A child is forced to go through female genital mutilation (female circumcision) in a little village.

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The Sweet Side of Crazy, Director Kaylee Grace Hoy, Documentary, United States, 30:00
FILMMAKERS IN PERSON!
The Sweet Side of Crazy is a documentary about Kandy Lyn's childhood and the lessons that she learned through her mom's addiction. Set in a small town in central Oklahoma where Kandy chose to settle and raise her family, the documentary implores viewers to consider the broader aspects of substance abuse and encourages people that it is possible to hate the addiction and love the addict. The Sweet Side of Crazy gives people an inside look at what addiction can do to families when it takes root and the chaos that ensues within the lives of those affected.


3:00p Screening Block #3

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Tony, Director Ben Marlowe, Animation, United States, 9:00
FILMMAKERS IN PERSON!
WATCH TRAILER

After finding a fortune, a man embarks on a hallucinatory quest for truth, as a plea for humanity and reverence for nature resounds.

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Sugar Rush, Director Hayden Goldman, Thriller, United States, 7:37
FILMMAKERS IN PERSON!
An innocent sweet tooth craving leads to unforeseen mayhem.

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Jack, Director Julian Curi, Adventure, United States, 5:00
FILMMAKERS IN PERSON!
An art connoisseur finds himself on the run after he steals a priceless item from a ruthless man in this fun twist on a classic tale.


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Smile for the Dead, Director Hamilton Young Ward, Documentary, United States, 54:03
WATCH TRAILER
True crime meets the paranormal as "Smile for the Dead" uncovers the eerie mystery of William H. Mumler's spirit photography and his ghostly portraits that baffled the 1800s. This documentary investigates Mumler's techniques and why society so needed him in the post Civil War era. Filmed on location in North Carolina, New York and Montreal.


Screenplays we selected this year
Please note we do not read screenplays at the event. But you can read some of them, now, online and when you meet writer at the film festival it will be easier talk details about eventual collaboration. Click READ HERE when available.


SCENE MISSING
by J. Buford Gray
A recovering alcoholic living with his actively alcoholic father transitions to sobriety with the uninvited help of a flamboyant pink-haired apparition who claims to be directing him in a movie.
READ HERE

Reasonable Levels
by David McAbee
Jerry Growl used to be the lead singer of Forced 40 until he was kicked out. Since leaving the band, Jerry has been running his own bar with his friend Anne. He only plays music a few times a year, performing karaoke to his own songs. When his granddaughter Sue, whom he didn't even know existed, shows up at his door, he is forced to reevaluate his life and priorities. Jerry has been living a selfish, solitary life, but now he has to take care of someone else. As he begins to care for and bond with Sue, Jerry's music career gets a boost when someone records him playing an acoustic set. With his return to performing, a new audience takes an interest in his music. However, Sue's mother arrives to take her back, forcing Jerry to weigh his love for Sue against his desire to revive his music career. Can you teach an old punker new tricks?
READ HERE

The Tree With No Heart
by Aaron Huckleberry
In war-torn Syria, a troubled woman, her idealistic son, and her mentally challenged cousin take in a wounded Western aid worker, unknowingly igniting a chain of deadly consequences that forces them to confront their pasts, their beliefs, and the brutal realities of survival.

Here Comes the Night
by Al Lefcourt
A musician stuck in a dead-end career reunites
with an old love and together they embark on a wild rock￾and-roll tour that is followed by fans - but stalked by
Death.
READ HERE

THE PORTRAIT
by Susan Eileen Jizba
When a talented artist with psychic gifts is commissioned to paint the portrait of a skeptical British antique art dealer at his country manor, she must unravel the dangerous mystery of her own tragic past life in order to rediscover the love she lost and the home where she truly belongs.
READ HERE

Let the Boy Sing
by Gunnar Garrett
John Dennis Smith , a fifteen-year-old kid with a voice as unmistakable as Elvis Presley’s, explodes onto the country music scene, by mistakenly walking onto the Lawrence Welk show, taking the mic and showing the world what he’s got. With just the one song, John won over not only the crowd, but Lawrence Welk himself, enough to convince Mr. Welk to sign John to a contract to be a part of this show. By the time he turned nineteen John was ready for the big time and headed off to Nashville. Once there, his voice and charisma propelled him to the top, allowing him to sign a record deal with Adonda Records, and cutting several albums that hit the top fifty on the charts. Having been adopted at birth, John has always wondered about his biological parents, and is now ready to meet them. After meeting with his birth mother for the first time, she applauds his voice and singing career, saying he may even be better than his father. John’s world is about to be turned upside down, but at the same time shed some light on the reason he is the way he is. Who is that man you ask? The King of Rock and Roll himself... Elvis Presley
READ HERE

One Last Build in Centralia
by Michael Klug
Diagnosed with terminal lung cancer, 75-year old widower and lifelong mechanic Jake Babich believes he can make amends with his estranged son and his dying community by rebuilding a classic hearse… meant to be used at his own funeral.

Dreams Uploaded
by Bruno Straus, Brent Weinbach
In the groundbreaking world of dream recording, a young researcher's unethical obsession with a participant causes his career to unravel at an institute on the brink of ruin, propelling him into a journey of self-discovery and unlikely redemption.
READ HERE

L.O.B.E.
by David Hunter Fein


The Festival is organized by
Organizers Judge
Sélynne Silver Judge
Polly Guentcheva Judge
Samy Ferrenbach Judge
Alayne Meeks Judge
Marco Vitale Judge
Jesse Brown Judge
Dylan Ferrara Judge
Jinghan Zhang Judge

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The Festival is organized by Mark Mos, Los Angeles-based Kodak Entertainment Imaging Awarded filmmaker and Film Premieres organizer. Mark has organized premieres such as Oscar's Awarded "Gladiator" (Russell Crowe), "Mission Impossible 2" (Tom Cruise), "Gone in 60 seconds" (Nicholas Cage, Angelina Jolie), "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" (Jim Carrey), and much more. Mark is also a filmmaker; he has a master's degree in TV and Film Production. His films were shown at film festivals in cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago or Salt Lake City, and also European countries.

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and
Storrior Box
www.storriorbox.com

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Results

Audio-Visual
BEST OF THE FESTIVAL The Knocker
BEST ADVENTURE Jack
BEST DIRECTOR, Hayden Goldman Sugar Rush
BEST DRAMA Statistical Probabilities
BEST ANIMATION Tony
BEST DOCUMENTARY The Sweet Side of Crazy
BEST STOP MOTION ANIMATOR, Sabrina Bomberg, The Feast of No Return
BEST LOS ANGELES (LOCAL) BASED The Little Chapel
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Screenplays
BEST WRITER One, Michael Klug, Last Build in Centralia
BEST SCREENPLAY Let the Boy Sing
BEST STORY Reasonable Levels
BEST WRITING DUO Dreams Uploaded Bruno Straus, Brent Weinbach
BEST CONCEPT SCENE MISSING
BEST ORIGINAL PLOT Here Comes the Night

Congratulations!

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  • HOME
    • GoldenBloodyGlobes
    • Los Angeles Short Film & Script Festival >
      • 2024
    • Hollywood Short Film Festival >
      • Schedule >
        • 2015
        • 2016
        • 2017
        • 2018
        • 2019
        • 2020
        • 2021
        • 2022
        • 2023
        • 2024
        • 2025
      • Tickets & Passes
      • JUDGES
      • BECOME A SPONSOR
      • CONTACT US
      • Waivers
      • laurels
      • We submitted
    • Donate
    • Volunteers
    • Oh Scares Film Festival >
      • OhScares2024
    • LATVSFF >
      • LATVSFF2025
      • LATVSFFlaurels&merch
  • Events
  • VOTING