Director: Bobby Roth
PG-13 USA
Writer-director Bobby Roth shares his thoughtful and personal documentary about what constitutes a good man. The filmmaker finds a multitude of responses along with sometimes poignant reflections to queries about masculinity, femininity, and whether we have the power to change.
Roth’s deep dive into a multifaceted topic draws touching testimony from actors, among them Peter Coyote (whom Roth directed in 1984’s Heartbreakers), Ming-Na Wen, Henry Winkler, and Eric Dane, and filmmakers including Rob Nilsson, Taylor Hackford and Michael Mann, alongside rabbis, psychotherapists, and even a lawyer.
Nearly 50 people take stock of their lives, loves, mistakes, and regrets in this wonderfully candid examination of the journeys we've taken.
IFS PREMIERE
3:30pm
May 22nd Regal Cinemas / L.A. LIVE 14
Director: John Gross
PG-13 USA
Take a journey with filmmakers John Gross, Jason Shepard, and Aaron Kelly as they explore haunted hotels in the Mojave Desert. It’s a road trip like no other - from Los Angeles to Las Vegas via the Great Beyond!
WITNESS the paranormal in Primm, Nevada!
BEHOLD the spirits of Death Valley Junction, California!
HEAR the phantoms of Tonopah, Nevada!
WEST COAST PREMIERE
5:15pm
May 22nd Regal Cinemas / L.A. LIVE 14
Director: Romy Murro
PG USA
SHORTS PROGRAM 22-A
A music video, about a very super special outing.
WORLD PREMIERE
7:00pm
May 22nd Regal Cinemas / L.A. LIVE 14
Director: Atanas Shopski
PG-13 Germany
SHORTS PROGRAM 22-A
This stylized animated music video explores how music and imagination can become lifelines for those haunted by trauma and adversity. Using surreal imagery and an original song, this piece follows the emotional journey of someone fighting to reclaim their inner peace.
The Secret Key is a collaboration that transcends traditional creative boundaries, uniting artistic spirits with shared experiences of adversity, in a story that is both personal, and universal. Composer Ian Cohen wrote and produced the autobiographical song that anchors the project. Director Atanas Shopski crafted every frame to reflect the song’s emotional arc and lyrical depth.
As the guitar screams, so does the soul - channeling years of buried pain into one final act of creative defiance in "The Secret Key".
WORLD PREMIERE
7:00pm
May 22nd Regal Cinemas / L.A. LIVE 14
Director: Harry Valentine
PG USA
SHORTS PROGRAM 22-A
A high school basketball coach teaches his players about teamwork by having them practice without a ball in this comedic film. Then the real challenge begins.
"Invisible Basketball" is a hilarious send up of inspiring sports dramas, drawing as much from Coach Carter and Glory Road as SNL. Written and directed by Harry Valentine (MTV's Ridiculousness) and starring Alyssa DeVries, Christine Stemmer, Karla Espino, and Mackenzie Horras, "Invisible Basketball" was produced by Wiggle Room (SF Sketchfest 2025, Packfest 2024), a sketch comedy team from Los Angeles.
WORLD PREMIERE
7:00pm
May 22nd Regal Cinemas / L.A. LIVE 14
Director: Chris Rogers
PG-13 USA
SHORTS PROGRAM 22-A
This heartfelt dramedy explores the quiet unraveling of a marriage stuck in routine. Blending humor with emotional honesty, the film follows a couple grappling with intimacy, self-image, and the unspoken tensions that build over time.
With a light touch and sharp insight, it tackles real issues like body dysmorphia, emotional disconnection, and self-worth. The tone is tender yet comedic, capturing the everyday absurdities of love, partnership, and personal growth.
"A Sinking Ship" offers a relatable look at what happens when two people must finally face themselves - and each other - in order to stay in love.
IFS PREMIERE
7:00pm
May 22nd Regal Cinemas / L.A. LIVE 14
Director: Catlin Adams
PG-13 USA
SHORTS PROGRAM 22-A
Ray and her daughter Dylan are trying to live a quiet life in Joshua Tree with the help of Ray's brother Shane. When greedy land developers threaten the working class family's home, the situation escalates. Tragedy strikes and they all must respond to a traumatic shift in the family dynamic.
NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE
7:00pm
May 22nd Regal Cinemas / L.A. LIVE 14
Director: Michael Merino
PG-13 USA
Best Independent Feature Film
A ride-hailing Driver is hijacked by a Criminal on the run from his crime boss setting in motion a series of events, placing both their lives in peril.
IFS PREMIERE
8:15pm
May 22nd Regal Cinemas / L.A. LIVE 14
Director: Simantini Chakraborty
Director: Godfrey Reggio
PG USA
Screening with the feature film: "Fakes"
Fast-paced and visually-driven, this documentary spans numerous decades of American innovation, food, music, technology, culture, social causes and sports, which are innate to the American experience.
Created to inspire hope, optimism, and bring people together in a nation deeply divided, the film is an urgent reminder that it is our collective responsibility to cherish and preserve the fragile American experiment.
"We get so caught up in the politics of division that we forget what we’ve accomplished as a people." "...An antidote for despair, a reminder of who we are, The Original Badass. Find hope in what we’ve accomplished"
- KEN BURNS "America has never stopped being great. This film encapsulates its brilliance and hope"
- RICHARD SAUL WURMAN (FOUNDER OF TED) "This is a fabulous film. It says it all about the promise of America and the innovative ingenuity and audacious originality that made and makes this country GREAT! I pray it quickly spreads and people take the time to absorb its message and the gravity of what lies ahead."
- LONNIE ALI (WIFE OF MUHAMMAD ALI)
IFS PREMIERE
9:45pm
May 22nd Regal Cinemas / L.A. LIVE 14
Director: John Hayeck
PG-13 USA
Screens with documentary short film: "The Original Badass"
Inspired by Kevin Smith’s "Clerks" and Rick Famuyiwa’s "Dope", this film follows a 15 year-old cinephile who discovers his local movie theater is going out-of-business.
Newton is determined to keep the theater open. So, to earn some fast cash, he opens a Fake ID business. But, before long, our hero is threatened by a dangerous, rival ID dealer: his high school principal.
This movie is a laugh-out-loud, heartfelt, crowd-pleaser - not to be missed!
IFS PREMIERE
9:45pm
May 22nd Regal Cinemas / L.A. LIVE 14
8:00pm-10:30pm
L.A. Film Fest's Closing Party is an extra fun meet-up, where your ticket allows you to mingle with other festival filmmakers and attendees in a casual party setting as the festival wraps up another year of screening hundreds of the best new independent films.
The Closing Party takes place from 8:00pm to 10:30pm on Thursday, May 22nd at an L.A. Live Bar & Lounge Venue (21 & Up) - To Be Announced.
Purchase a Festival Party Ticket Package to be able to check out all of our festival parties and events. Party & Event Tickets are available ONLINE ONLY
All Party & Reception Event Online Tickets must be redeemed at the festival Hospitality Box Office (located in the lobby of Regal Stadium Cinemas / L.A. Live) and exchanged for Official Festival Party Entry Passes.
Festival Party & Reception Events
Closing Party
Line at 8:00pm
Doors at 8:05pm
21 & Up
8:00pm-10:30pm
May 22nd LA LIVE Venue - To Be Announced