Major Los Angeles Festival Pivots to Online Platform as City Rebuilds Post-Fire

Summary: As Los Angeles rebuilds from the devastating fires, the resilience of its community shines through in unexpected ways. One such beacon of hope is the iconic New Media Film Festival®, which has boldly transitioned to a virtual format for this year's event. The festival, originally scheduled to take place in person, will now be held online on June 4th and 5th, 2025.

The three months leading up to an event are critical, and after assessing the current situation from the California fire devastation and ongoing rebuilding efforts, the festival is making a concerted decision for the local and global communities. "We have ensured that the full value and more of what an in-person festival would cost has been given to charities. Pricing will be kept at a minimum, and the full festival experience, including coveted networking opportunities, special guest speakers, giveaways and more will be made available," stated Founder/Director Susan Johnston, New Media Film Festival®. 

These fires hit close to home with many of the team members being affected. Within days the festival sent a list to their 80,000 newsletter subscribers, socials and website www.newmediafilmfestival.com with links to direct vetted information on Evacuation/Incident Maps, Fire Dept fire Updates, Fire Statistics, recovering and rebuilding from a disaster. 

The shift to a digital platform allows the festival to continue its tradition of showcasing diverse talents and fostering community spirit, even amidst adversity. By creating an intimate atmosphere online, they celebrate the resilience of art and its ability to heal and inspire. 

The virtual festival offers a rich tapestry of experiences that celebrate the indomitable spirit of Los Angeles. Audiences will be treated to an eclectic mix of screenings, interactive sessions, and thought-provoking discussions, all accessible from the comfort of their homes. As the city heals and rebuilds, the multiple award winning New Media Film Festival® stands as a testament to the power of art and community to inspire and uplift, even in the face of great challenges.

This bold move underscores the festival's commitment to the global content creator community, innovation and story, ensuring that the magic of New Media Film Festival® endures, no matter the circumstances. This is a festival that knows how to pivot. In 2023, the festival's beloved Landmark Theater on West Pico closed three weeks before the in-person festival, yet with all the moving parts it takes to put on an event of this magnitude, a new venue was found, and the show went on. Different circumstances offer new visions and implementations, and the team is proud to assess and adapt for the good of all.

In the dynamic world of content, originality is key. The New Media Film Festival®, which has been Honoring Stories Worth Telling since 2009 for all ages, all cultures, all media - offers a unique platform for storytellers who dare to step away from the conventional and embrace innovation. With a submission process that values story and production quality, the festival opens doors to industry leaders and potential collaborations. It's an opportunity for creators to retain their rights while gaining exposure and recognition from seasoned professionals in the field of New Media. 

 Early Line-up starts in January and closes on April 6th 2025, the final day to submit to be considered for awards. Grand Prize Award, Priceless. Meetings with HBO and Marvel, along with studio time in Los Angeles, and various production services and perks– Best of Category and Top 3 scripts each win perks, detailed on www.newmediafilmfestival.com/submit

"Very well run festival. Beautifully international in scope. Thank you for spotlighting all kinds of emerging media!" – Emmy Winner Dustin Morrow

• Bermuda by EMMY Winner Michael Winfield, USA - World Premiere
• Last Stand at Butte City by Multiple TELLY Winner Natalie Schwan, USA - World Premiere 
• Keep the Love Alive by Professor Lee, USA - World Premiere
• Smile for the Dead by Charlie Puritano, USA - World Premiere
• Robot Tank-17 by Brian Larrimer, USA - World Premiere
• Kobalt Pier by N.T. Cimiluca, USA - World Premiere 
• The Scorpion Dance by Jon Haller, USA - World Premiere
• Biblical Earth by Brandon Leavell, USA - World Premiere 
• This Was My Abuela's House by Bea Mienik, USA - World Premiere 
• Nezhaverse – Birth of a Legend by Taige Shi, Asia - Los Angeles Premiere 
• Cobbled Strings by Milena Stoykova and Paulina Gegova, Bulgaria - US Premiere 
• Solitude by Ryan Moore, USA - Los Angeles Premiere 
• Campaign by Leonard Thomas Braun, Canada
• A Good Day Will Come by Amir Zargara, Canada

Important Dates to Remember:

• Final Deadline to Submit: April 6, 2025
• Schedule Locks: April 21, 2025
• Festival Dates: Wednesday, June 4, and Thursday, June 5, 2025
• Festival Schedule of Events www.newmediafilmfestival.com/events

Contact:

Crystal www.newmediafilmfestival.com/contact

310-288-1100

New Media Film Festival ®2355 Westwood Blvd. #381 Los Angeles CA USA 90064 

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Meta Description: California Fire Devastation: Refers to the impact of the fires in California and the resulting devastation. Rebuilding Efforts: Highlights the ongoing efforts to rebuild and recover from the fire damage. Festival Decision: Indicates the decision made by the festival organizers in response to the current situation. Local Communities: Refers to the communities in the local area affected by the fires and involved in the festival. Global Communities: Highlights the festival's reach and impact on communities around the world. Charities: Emphasizes the support and contributions made to various charitable organizations. Full Festival Experience: Describes the complete experience offered by the festival, including various activities and events. Networking Opportunities: Refers to the opportunities for attendees to connect and network with others. Special Guest Speakers: Highlights the presence of notable guest speakers at the festival. Susan Johnston: Refers to the Founder/Director of the New Media Film Festival, Susan Johnston. New Media Film Festival: The name of the festival, celebrating innovative storytelling and media. Team Members Affected: Highlights the impact of the fires on the festival team members. Newsletter Subscribers: Refers to the festival's communication with its 80,000 newsletter subscribers. Evacuation Maps: Indicates the availability of maps showing evacuation routes during the fires. Incident Maps: Refers to maps showing the locations and details of fire incidents. Fire Dept Updates: Highlights the updates provided by the fire department regarding the fires. Fire Statistics: Refers to the statistical data related to the fires. Disaster Recovery: Describes the efforts and processes involved in recovering from the disaster. Digital Platform: Indicates the shift to an online platform for the festival. Showcasing Talents: Highlights the festival's role in showcasing diverse talents. Fostering Community Spirit: Emphasizes the festival's efforts to build and strengthen community spirit. Resilience of Art: Describes the enduring power of art to inspire and heal

Company Details

Organization: New Media Film Festival®

Contact Person Name: Crystal

Website: https://www.newmediafilmfestival.com

Email: crystal@newmediafilmfestival.com

Contact Number: +13102881100

Address: 2355 Westwood Blvd.

Address 2: 381

City: Los Angeles

State: CA

Country: United States