FilAm Creative Film Festival 2026 at Cal State LA

Filipino-American filmmakers get their own three-day stage when the FilAm Creative Film Festival returns for its fourth edition, running Friday, October 2 through Sunday, October 4 at the Luckman Fine Arts Complex on the Cal State LA campus. If you're sorting through things to do in Los Angeles that weekend and want something you won't find at a multiplex, this is a strong pick.

What's on the program

The festival is built around themed blocks of short films, with conversations in between. The agenda posted on Eventbrite opens with Block A, "Becoming," from 10 AM to 12:30 PM. It includes Alpha, Bravo, Charlie by Matthew Richards, Hugs & Kisses by Alexandra "Lexie" Orr, Bridging Our Stories by Rafael Bitanga, Dyahe Piece by Coco Tolentino and Manongs by Colin Gong Galeste.

After that comes a panel on creativity and responsibility in Filipino American storytelling. Amanda L. Andrei hosts, with Ara Chawdhury, Roger Q. Mason, Leo Partible and Reuben Domingo on the panel. They'll talk about pulling from Philippine folklore, mythology and languages, and what filmmakers in the diaspora owe to each other and to the homeland.

Block B, "Center Stage," runs 2:30 to 5 PM and leans toward performance. There's Singkil by S. Roy Saringo, Model M!nority The Musical by Katja!, Dreamz by Willa Marj and Leah Lombos, and ICKY LURKERS by Jasper Capalad, plus six more shorts. The full schedule for all three days is on the ticket page.

Practical info

• When: Friday, October 2 to Sunday, October 4, 2026, 10 AM to 10 PM
• Where: Luckman Fine Arts Complex at Cal State LA, 5151 State University Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90032
• Tickets: $17.85 to $215.26 on Eventbrite. The organizer lists a no-refunds policy, so pick your days before you buy.

Eat before you go. The organizers say no meals are served, the campus cafeteria closes at 6 PM, and food and drinks aren't allowed inside the theater. You can bring snacks for the breaks.

Getting there

Cal State LA sits just off the 10 and 710 freeways on the Eastside, and the Cal State LA station on the Metro J Line (Silver) and Metrolink San Bernardino Line is on campus. Drivers should head for Parking Structure C, top level. Parking is paid; use PayByPhone with location code 4129, through the app, online or by calling the number on the signs.

Why go

Short-film festivals are where you catch filmmakers early, and this one gives a whole weekend to a community that's still underrepresented on screen. Each day runs 10 AM to 10 PM, so there's room to catch a single block after work or settle in for the full weekend. For more LA events this weekend, browse our arts and culture listings or check what else is coming up across Los Angeles. It's one of the more original Things Happening In Los Angeles this October.