Cal State LA to host 2025 FilAm Creative Film Festival, spotlighting Filipino American filmmakers and global voices in cinema

Cal State LA will serve as the official host venue for the 2025 FilAm Creative Film Festival (FACFF), taking place at The Luckman Fine Arts Complex from Sept. 25 to Sept. 28.

Presented by FilAm Creative-a leading nonprofit organization committed to advancing unique voices in media and entertainment-the third annual FACFF returns for a second consecutive year at Cal State LA, offering a robust platform for impactful storytelling by filmmakers and artists from the Filipino American community and global creative communities.

"For decades, The Luckman has been a vital cultural hub, enriching the artistic life of Los Angeles with performances, exhibitions, and dialogue," said Nicholas Mestas, executive director of The Luckman Fine Arts Complex. "Hosting the FilAm Film Festival in our theatre at Cal State LA, we carry that tradition forward-using the power of cinema to celebrate heritage, foster connection, and inspire future filmmakers. We are empowering the next generation to bring their dreams into focus."

Now in its 15th year as an organization, FilAm Creative continues to expand its mission of celebrating creativity, resilience, and artistry through cinema. This year's program features 24 official selections across narrative features, documentaries, short films, and music videos.

Spotlight screenings include The Flip Side by Rod Pulido, the first Filipino American feature film to premiere at Sundance; Matt Shepard Is a Friend of Mine, directed by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Michele Josue; Village Keeper, a feature-length debut film by Canadian director Karen Chapman; and Rick & Steve: The Happiest Gay Couple in All the World, a stop-motion animated sitcom created by Q. Allan Brocka. These films exemplify FACFF's commitment to bold, inclusive storytelling that resonates across audiences and borders.

"The FilAm Creative Film Festival brings our diverse narratives into focus-healing, inspiring, and empowering through moving pictures," said Rovyn Bautista, festival director.

A returning highlight of FACFF is the FilAm Creations Competition, presented by Noble Creations. This time-limited filmmaking challenge invites participants to create a 5- to 7-minute original short film in just three weeks, incorporating a required theme, prop, and line of dialogue. The competition showcases the creativity, humor, and innovation of emerging talents.

In addition to screenings, the festival will feature a full slate of industry panels, filmmaker conversations, and networking events, offering attendees access to filmmakers, producers, scholars, and cultural leaders discussing such topics as global media production, music, editing, and the future of storytelling.

The festival will culminate in an Awards Gala, celebrating excellence in filmmaking through jury-selected and audience awards, as well as community impact honors. A curated panel of industry professionals will adjudicate the festival's top prizes.

Hosting the festival at Cal State LA highlights the university's commitment to experiential learning, student success, and cultural engagement.

"Cal State LA is the only university in the country where students gain hands-on experience planning and producing an industry-level film festival," said Cal State LA alumnus Will Baker, who also serves as the university's events manager. "Hosting FilAm on our campus shows our students how transformative festivals can be-not only for filmmakers, but for the audiences and communities they touch. As a proud alumnus of that program and a former festival director, I'm inspired by every opportunity to help bring these stories to life."

For ticket information and a full lineup of festival events, please visit the FilAm Creative website.

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California State University, Los Angeles is the premier comprehensive public university in the heart of Los Angeles. Cal State LA is ranked number one in the United States for the upward mobility of its students. Cal State LA is dedicated to engagement, service, and the public good, offering nationally recognized programs in science, the arts, business, criminal justice, engineering, nursing, education, and the humanities. Founded in 1947, the University serves more than 22,000 students and has more than 270,000 distinguished alumni.