Welcome to the Las Vegas Filipino Short Film Festival.
Celebrate Filipino Storytelling at Our Film Festival Showcasing Diverse Voices
Join us at the 2024 edition of the Las Vegas Filipino Short Film Festival where we celebrate the rich art of storytelling through film. Our festival invites Filipino filmmakers from diverse backgrounds to share their unique perspectives, showcasing the vibrant diversity of Filipino culture and creativity. We are dedicated to fostering connections within our community and elevating diverse voices in the cinematic landscape, making our festival a hub for Filipino film and storytelling. Whether you're an emerging talent or an established filmmaker, the Las Vegas Filipino Short Film Festival is the perfect platform to share your story with the world.
The Spark of Vision:
The Story Behind the Las Vegas Short Film Festival
“ The journey began unexpectedly with a chance meeting with filmmaker Shawn Rosen. It was during a casual conversation that Beverly, a friend, suggested exploring short films, leading us to discover powerful stories on YouTube, including Larry Itliong's film. But it was the full length film QUEZON’S GAME that truly ignited a passion within us.
Months later, I reconnected with Shawn, who by then had become a teacher. We bonded over our mutual love for films. He shared one of his projects, seeking my opinion. After watching it, I gave him candid feedback: “It’s not Filipino enough!” This comment challenged Shawn and drove him to create his first Tagalog short film.
When I saw Shawn’s film, I knew we were onto something special. It was more than just a movie—it was a catalyst that sparked the idea of a Filipino short film festival. We wanted to showcase the talent and stories of Filipino filmmakers, both emerging and established.
With my event planning background, I took on the challenge of turning this vision into reality. We started reaching out, planning, and connecting with like-minded individuals who shared our passion for Filipino cinema. That’s when Felipe, a trusted friend and head of Filipino American Scholarship Foundation and Outreach Services (FASFOS) , came into the picture. He understood our vision and agreed to take the festival under his wing, ensuring its legacy would continue.
And just like that, we were all in. The Las Vegas Filipino Short Film Festival was born—a celebration of our culture, our stories, and our voices.”
-Margie Llorente-Gonzales, Las Vegas Filipino Short Film Festival visionary
The Team Behind the Las Vegas Short Film Festival
Margie Gonzales had a vision to showcase the untapped creativity in Las Vegas, particularly within the Filipino community. Her passion for film evolved into what would become an important facet of the Filipino American community in Las Vegas.
Today, the Las Vegas Filipino Short Film Festival has transitioned into a creative business entity with Felipe Danglapin as CEO, Manette Thomas-Roxas as CFO and Shawn Rosen as Program Director.
Spotlight on the Filmmakers:
Giovannie Espiritu describes her identity as political. A former undocumented immigrant who escaped a religious cult, she identifies as bisexual. Her award-winning short films include ULTRA FEMINIST (honorable mention at Outfest:Fusion), ALLY 3000 (Best Screenplay at the 2023 Las Vegas Filipino Short Film Festival), and LEGACY (2023 Silver Telly award, featured in exhibitions like the New Americans Museum). As an actress, she was nominated for Best Supporting Actress alongside Alfre Woodard and Amy Irving. Currently, she is working on a rom-com series, “Maid To Shine,” for the FilAm TV Network in Las Vegas.
Regional Emmy award winning Filmmaker / Community Storyteller / Magazine Founder / Cultural Toy Maker Terrence Jeffrey Santos was the Audience Choice winner for his short film AFTER INANG, which relates the grief a family faces after the passing of Inang, referencing his own mother.
At the June 2022 launch of the Las Vegas Filipino Short Film Festival, Shawn together with a group of young filmmakers showcased their work. He became a permanent presence at LVFSFF meetings and now serves on the Executive Board. He has been nominated for 3 Regional Emmys in the Pacific Southwest Chapter. In a recent interview, Esmeralda Padilla Gould of FilAm TV’s Vegas Vibes Junction noted, “Shawn’s films are heartfelt explorations of emotions and the human experience. His passion for Filipino mythology inspires him to bring ancient tales to life, aiming for them to be celebrated alongside Greek and Roman stories.”
Photographer / Videographer / Director (JERICK PADSING) and a also a Mechanical Engineer with a desire to share people’s stories and make an impact in people’s lives. Raymond Planas aims to live a life of purpose and help others find theirs. He is always quality focused, highly productive, quick learning, and enthusiastic professional.
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Join the Excitement!
Dive into the heart of creativity at our festival! We're eager to hear from you—whether you're a filmmaker looking to showcase your work or simply seeking more information. Don't hesitate to get in touch. We're here to assist you every step of the way, from submission to participation. Reach out today and become part of a vibrant community dedicated to celebrating cinematic excellence!
info@lvshortfilm.org
(702) 3363454