Catalina Film Festival wraps 11th anniversary
The 11th anniversary edition of the Catalina Film Festival returned to the island in September 2021 with screenings at the historic Avalon Theatre and a world premiere that capped the weekend. The program featured short-film blocks across multiple genres, two feature premieres, and the signature Lion’s Den pitching session for emerging filmmakers.
Attendees on the red carpet included actors Shiloh Fernandez and Craig Stark, Bill Sage for The Catch, recording artist Presley A. Aronson, and Drake Bell in support of Sorry for Your Loss. The centerpiece was the world premiere of The Cleaner, starring Luke Wilson, King Orba, Lynda Carter, Shelley Long, and Soleil Moon Frye. Director Erin Elders, cinematographer Jeff Tomcho, and editor Matt Prekop joined the cast for the debut screening. The film later received a digital release on October 12, 2021, through 1091 Pictures.
Recent Festival Growth and Recognition
Since that 2021 return, the festival has expanded its reach and reputation. The 16th edition is scheduled for September 25-27, 2026. MovieMaker Magazine has placed Catalina on its annual list of the top 50 festivals worth the entry fee for 2022, 2023, and 2024, while FilmFreeway has consistently ranked it among the highest-reviewed events. The program now screens nearly 200 films each year across in-person and virtual formats.
Notable Honorees in Recent Editions
Special awards have brought additional spotlight to the island. In 2025, Ken Jeong received the King of Comedy Award, Marla Gibbs was honored with the Legendary Flame Award, and John Cleese accepted the Icon Award. These tributes sit alongside the festival’s established competitive categories and continue the tradition of recognizing both emerging and established talent.
Lion's Den and Industry Networking Evolution
The Lion’s Den remains a signature component. The exclusive session invites aspiring filmmakers to pitch accredited investors for project funding. In 2021 the panel included Ed Morgan, Jonathan Brostoff, and Phil Cohen; the format has continued in subsequent editions, including 2025, giving new voices direct access to financing conversations.
Submissions and Filmmaker Opportunities
Filmmakers can currently submit to the 2026 edition. The festival also runs a $5,000 Feature Screenplay Competition and a separate music contest, widening the entry points beyond traditional short and feature categories. These opportunities sit alongside the long-running Wes Craven Horror/Thriller Award and other competitive honors.
WES CRAVEN HORROR/THRILLER AWARD
BEST: Who Wants Dessert?
AWARD OF EXCELLENCE (AOE): Someone’s At Your Door
CREST AWARD
BEST: Vita Bennett, Little Games
AOE: Tommi Rose, A Savannah Haunting
ACTOR (US SHORT)
BEST: Matthew Law, True Story: I Feel
AOE: Sebastian LeCause, Disciple
ACTRESS (US SHORT)
BEST: Maxim Roy, Wichita
AOE: Minerva Vier, Shevolution
ACTOR (US FEATURE)
BEST: Jewell Wilson Bridges, Voodoo Macbeth
AOE: Michael Reed, 6:45
AOE: King Orba, The Cleaner
ACTOR (ADVANCED SHORT)
BEST: Nick Osborne, One Body
AOE: Ryan Kaiser, Cold Mind
ACTRESS (ADVANCED SHORT)
BEST: Lex Scott Davis, Magnolia Bloom
AOE: Shely Nave, Vlada Goes To London
ACTRESS (US FEATURE)
BEST: Gena Shaw, A Savannah Haunting
AOE: Inger Tudor, Voodoo Macbeth
DIRECTOR (INTERNATIONAL FEATURE)
BEST: Alex Galvin, Turn of the Screw
AOE: Timo Jacobs, Stand up! Looking for Love in All the Wrong Places
DIRECTOR (INTERNATIONAL SHORT)
BEST: Medhi Mahaei, The Dolls Game
AOE: Deepak Reddy, Manasanamaha
DIRECTOR (US FEATURE)
BEST: Agazi Desta, et al., Voodoo Macbeth
AOE: Michelle Danner, The Runner
AOE: Craig Singer, 6:45
INTERNATIONAL FEATURE
BEST: The Turn of the Screw
AOE: Stand Up! Looking for Love in all the Wrong Places
SHORT (U.S.)
BEST: True Story: I Feel
AOE: Disciple
CINEMATOGRAPHY
BEST: Coming Home
AOE: Endless Yesterdays
COMEDY
BEST: Wichita
AOE: Carl The Exorcist
DEB BAUER “UNSUNG HERO”
Crazy Cat Lady
ANIMATED SHORT
BEST: Identity Crisis
AOE: Lifeblood- Award of Excellence
H.S. STUDENT FILM
BEST: Captifs
AOE: The Unwanted Guests
SHORT (INTERNATIONAL)
BEST: Dolls Game
AOE: Obsession
ADVANCED STUDENT FILM
BEST: Caravan
AOE: Cain Rose Up
CONSERVATION
BEST: Vala North
AOE: The Urchin Diver
SCREENPLAY
BEST: TESStosterone
AOE: Saturday Night Lesbian
DOCUMENTARY
BEST: In the Dark of the Valley
AOE: Panorama Syria's Schools Under Attack
FEATURE (U.S.)
BEST: The Catch
AOE: Voodoo Macbeth
ABOUT CATALINA FILM FESTIVAL
Catalina Film Festival is an annual celebration of film with coastal screenings and events in Long Beach and Catalina. Past CFF honorees include Nicolas Cage, Jon Favreau, Stan Lee, Kevin Hart, Mira Sorvino, William H. Macy, Andy Garcia, Sharon Stone, Emmy Rossum, Richard Dreyfuss, Kate Bosworth and more.
CFF is a competitive festival with awards in multiple categories, including the Stanley Kramer Social Artist Award, Wes Craven Horror Award, and Conservation Award. The event is presented by the Catalina Film Institute and screens nearly 200 films annually. It has earned consistent recognition on MovieMaker Magazine’s top-festival lists for 2022-2024 and ranks among the highest-reviewed events on FilmFreeway. The 2021 sponsors included blk., The Cafaro Group, Building Image Group (BIG), Bogart Spirits, Ohyay.co, FilmFestivalFlix.com, Long Beach Scottish Rite Cultural Center, Horseshoe Bend Vineyards and Karana Whole Plant. For more information, visit: CatalinaFIlm.org
