Los Angeles Film Festival Announces Diverse Lineup

Angelenos and cinefiles rejoice as the Los Angeles Film Festival is approaching. In its 24th year, the festival has just rolled out a fall lineup of 40 feature films, 41 short films, and 10 short episodic pieces from 26 different countries.

In her second run as festival director, Jennifer Cochis proudly showcases a diverse lineup of talent. Across the competition categories, 42% of the films are directed by women, and 39% are directed by people of color. She also recently announced We the People, "a two-day summit committed to advancing inclusion within the entertainment industry."

"Our mission of finding fresh new voices from different geographical and cultural axes remains true," Cochis said in an official statement. "These storytellers are united by their ability to transport, impact and inspire audiences with the power of their craft."

Passes are now on sale for the Los Angeles Film Festival, which takes place September 20-28. Check out the complete lineup below:

US Fiction Competition

Banana Split, dir. Benjamin Francis Kasulke, USA, World Premiere

In Reality, dir. Ann Lupo, co-dirs. Esteban Pedraza & Aaron Pryka, USA, LA Premiere

Olympia, dir. Gregory Dixon, USA, World Premiere

Simple Wedding, dir. Sara Zandieh, USA, World Premiere

Softness of Bodies, dir. Jordan Blady, USA/Germany, World Premiere

This Teacher, dir. Mark Jackson, USA, World Premiere

The Wrong Todd, dir. Rob Schulbaum, USA, World Premiere

Documentary Competition

Behind the Curve, dir. Daniel J. Clark, USA, US Premiere

Facing the Dragon, dir. Sedika Mojadidi, USA/Afghanistan, World Premiere

False Confessions, dir. Katrine Philp, Denmark, North American Premiere

hillbilly, dirs. Sally Rubin, Ashley York, USA, LA Premiere

Mamacita, dir. Jose Pablo Estrada Torrescano, Mexico/Germany, US Premiere

Moroni for President, dir. Saila Huusko, Jasper Rischen, USA, LA Premiere

Same God, dir. Linda Midgett, USA, World Premiere

The Silence of Others, dirs. Almudena Carracedo, Robert Bahar, Spain, West Coast Premiere

Stammering Ballad, dir. Nan Zhang, China, North American Premiere

Wrestling Ghosts, dir. Ana Joanes, USA, World Premiere

World Fiction Competition

Border, dir. Ali Abbasi, Sweden, California Premiere

The Cotton Wool War, dirs. Claudio Marques, Marilia Hughes, Brazil, US Premiere

The Day I Lost My Shadow, dir. Soudade Kaadan, France/Lebanon/Qatar/Syrian Arab Republic, US Premiere

Heaven Without People, dir. Lucien Bourjeily, Lebanon, LA Premiere

Microhabitat, dir. Jeon Go-Woon, South Korea, West Coast Premiere

Socrates, dir. Alex Moratto, Brazil, World Premiere

Tower. A Bright Day., dir. Jagoda Szelc, Poland/Czech Republic, LA Premiere

LA Muse

The Advocates, dir. Remi Kessler, USA, World Premiere

El Chicano, dir. Ben Hernandez Bray, USA, World Premiere

Fire on the Hill, dir. Brett Fallentine, USA, World Premiere

Funke, dir. Gabriel Taraboulsy, USA, World Premiere

Making Montgomery Clift, dir. Robert A. Clift, Hillary Demmon, USA, World Premiere

Saint Judy, dir. Sean Hanish, USA, World Premiere

Solace, dir. Tchaiko Omawale, USA, California Premiere

Staycation, dir. Tanuj Chopra, USA, World Premiere

Stuntman, dir. Kurt Mattila, USA, World Premiere

We the Coyotes, dirs. Hanna Ladoul, Marco La Via, USA, North American Premiere

Nightfall

The Dead Center, dir. Billy Senese, USA, World Premiere

Deep Murder, dir. Nick Corirossi, USA, World Premiere

Ghost Light, dir. John Stimpson, USA, World Premiere

Head Count, dir. Elizabeth Callahan, USA, World Premiere

Spell, dir. Brendan Walter, USA, World Premiere

Thriller, dir. Dallas Jackson, USA, World Premiere

Episodes: Indie Series from the Web

Avant-Guardians, dir. Clarence Williams II, USA

Flatbush Misdemeanors, dirs. Dan Perlman, Kevin Iso, USA

Fresh, dir. Grant Scicluna, Australia

Kiki and Kitty, dir. Catriona Mackenzie, Australia

Otis, dir. Alexander Etseyatse, USA

Petal & Paint, dir. Bradley Smith, USA

Psusy, dirs. Duckworth, Jaya Beach-Robertson, New Zealand

Revenge Tour, dir. Andrew Carter, USA

Robits, dir. Christopher Parks, USA

Tracy Buckles, dir. Robin Nystrom, USA