Early Bird Deadline
January 29, 2023 - $25
Regular Deadline
February 26, 2023 - $30
Late Deadline
March 26, 2023 - $35
Extended Deadline
April 23, 2023 - $40
Notification Date
June 25, 2023
Event Date
August 18 - 20, 2023
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ABOUT
The Playhouse West Film Festival screens films which involve their current or former members. All films must either have a Playhouse West member in a leading or primary supporting acting role, or as the director, writer or producer.
The annual Playhouse West film festival is a three day event at the historic El Portal Theater in North Hollywood, CA, showcasing the filmmaking and acting talents of the Playhouse West students, both former and current. As a Meisner-based acting school (Sanford Meisner taught there late in his teacher career), Playhouse West is the only acting school which not only inspires its acting students to take control of their careers by making their own projects, it hosts a top notch festival where they can show off their work.
The Playhouse West Film Festival is sponsored by the Playhouse West Arts Foundation, a 501(c)3 Non-Profit organization dedicated to the inspiration, education and development of motion picture and theater artists of independent vision, and to the exhibition of their work. By sponsoring programs such as the Playhouse West Film Festival, we can also educate the public about the art of filmmaking, and introduce them to the work of aspiring new film artists of the future.
The Playhouse West Film Festival is well-known as one of the most positive, filmmaker-friendly festivals in the country. Each year we hear more and more from filmmakers that our festival has been their favorite. From our well organized, run-on-time format, to our unique Q&A’s after each screening block, giving filmmakers a platform to discuss their films at length with our audience, we take great pride in making our festival a fantastic experience for filmmakers.
As an institution, Playhouse West leads the way in encouraging young filmmakers. Playhouse West members from Los Angeles, Philadelphia produce over 250 films per year, many which go one to be accepted and win awards at film festivals around the country and world.
LOCATION
EL PORTAL THEATER
5269 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, CA 91601
PARKING
Parking is available in the surrounding neighborhoods. Please be mindful of street signs dictating time restrictions.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 22nd
INTRODUCTION TO AI 3pm-4:30pm
Run Time
1:30:00
RED CARPET ARRIVAL/CHECK-IN 5-7pm
Come dressed to impress! Walk the Playhouse West Red Carpet and get your picture taken.
Run Time
2:00:00
OPENING CEREMONY 7pm-7:30
Opening Ceremony | Welcome Address with Festival Director, Wolfgang Bodison and Founding Director, Robert Carnegie
Run Time
30:00
SATURDAY, AUGUST 23rd
SCREENWRITING
Run Time
1:30:00
9am Panel
Tickets for individual blocks are sold at the festival
FLAMINGO
A rookie dominatrix with more confidence than experience finds herself in an awkward dance of dominance and mishaps, all while navigating on a knee scooter.
Run Time
11:06
STAIRWELL
A husband with a dark secret finds himself begging for his life after a fall renders him paralyzed.
Run Time
12:37
10:30am Short Films
Tickets for individual blocks are sold at the festival
LUNCH BREAK 12pm - 1pm
BRING ON TOMORROW
A man discovers a cassette tape in an old garage, unlocking a journey of poignant flashbacks leading him to profound revelations.
Run Time
1:40
6 YEARS
A weary outsider claws his way into the city, chasing a better life, but the grind chews him up and spits him out.
Run Time
5:35
PROOF OF LIFE
Two sisters are forced to confront their broken relationship when a phone call unearths secrets.
Run Time
12:41
SILENT CROSSES
A young man experiences a crisis of faith while visiting his conservative Catholic priest.
Run Time
13:14
ADOLESCENT PLUSH
In the morning after a heartbreaking prom, a nostalgic 17-year-old must clear out of her foreclosed childhood home.
Run Time
18:00
1pm Short Films
Tickets for individual blocks are sold at the festival
XULECTRA
Tensions rise as a meticulous casting director deals with a temperamental director to find the perfect actor to lead a nuanced prescription drug commercial.
Run Time
5:16
WHAT DO WE LIVE FOR?
On the verge of darkness at a lonely bus stop, a man’s plans are quietly unraveled by an unexpected late-night conversation.
Run Time
5:59
ALICE
Vinnie, the boss of a cyber scam startup, finds his moral compass when he confronts a rival scammer.
Run Time
13:57
I WANNA BE HAPPY
A suicidal hitman joins a canceled director in a search for a mythical tree that could grant their wishes.
Run Time
15:00
THE LAST FIFTEEN MINUTES
An Indonesian actress and American music producer struggle through a grueling marriage in real time that pushes them to a stinging conclusion.
Run Time
15:00
3pm Short Films
Tickets for individual blocks are sold at the festival
THE DO OVER
After the documentary crew loses the footage, a widow must recreate an interview about her daredevil husband as if she doesn’t know he’s gonna die.
Run Time
5:00
IT WAS ONLY YOU
We return to Verona in a powerful homage to the most famous teen love story—and the timeless truth and pain of first, and sometimes last, love.
Run Time
5:28
TABLE FOR TWO
Two long-lost lovers who, years after a tragic accident tore them apart, are reunited under unexpected circumstances.
Run Time
7:00
IRMA
After her mother tries to break in, Melissa must choose between self-preservation and abandoning her unstable mother forever.
Run Time
12:33
5pm Short Films
Tickets for individual blocks are sold at the festival
DINNER BREAK 6:30pm - 8pm
SUNDAY, AUGUST 24th
THE ART OF THE HUSTLE
Run Time
1:30:00
9:30am Panel
Tickets for individual blocks are sold at the festival
KORALOO ‘DRY SHAMPOO’
Koraloo portrays five characters who converge at a hair salon and reflect a medley of contrasting personalities and emotions.
Run Time
4:55
THE LAST DIAL
A late-night prank becomes a nightmare when the target knows their names, their address, and might be closer than they think.
Run Time
5:59
PSYCHE ON SUNSET
A prom date goes off the rails when their bitter server unleashes her caustic relationship issues on them.
Run Time
7:26
SURPRISE!
Two bank robbers flee after a successful heist, not knowing what awaits them at home.
Run Time
10:26
10:30am Short Films
Tickets for individual blocks are sold at the festival
LUNCH BREAK 12pm - 1pm
1pm Feature Film
Tickets for individual blocks are sold at the festival
SYMBIOSIS
A grieving father finds redemption and healing through an unexpected bond with a foster child as they navigate love, loss, and the meaning of family.
Run Time
13:16
PROMISES
A struggling young baseball player jeopardizes his promising career by turning to drug dealing to protect his younger sister.
Run Time
13:50
SELF SHADOW ANIMUS
A teenage girl can't tell the difference between dreams and reality while trying to cope with a recent tragedy.
Run Time
16:07
3pm Short Films
Tickets for individual blocks are sold at the festival
AFTERMATH
A couple wakes up the morning after what was supposed to be the end of the world and deals with the consequences of their choices.
Run Time
5:26
HOG
In 18th Century England, a once obedient cook finally resists the scornful abuse of her oppressive mistress.
Run Time
5:27
LITTLE FOOTSTEPS
A young woman invites an unsettling guest to her family’s Christmas Eve dinner party.
Run Time
12:07
DIME BAG
After graduation, Paul’s last summer of partying and dealing weed with friends takes an unexpected turn before they all head off to college.
Run Time
15:00
5pm Short Films
