Welcome to the Las Vegas Filipino Short Film Festival
3680 South Maryland Parkway
Las Vegas, Nevada 89169
United States
The premier Filipino short film festival in the heart of Las Vegas celebrating creativity, identity, and community.
The wait is over — here’s your sneak peek at the bold, brilliant, and unforgettable entries in this year’s 2025 competition lineup.
Three Years of Stories: The Journey of the Las Vegas Filipino Short Film Festival
In just three years, the Las Vegas Filipino Short Film Festival (LVFSFF) has evolved from a pioneering experiment into a defining platform for Filipino filmmakers across the globe. What began as a small showcase of independent shorts in 2023 has grown into a vibrant cultural celebration — a meeting ground where cinematic dreams take shape, careers are born, and voices once on the margins find their spotlight.
From Inception to Influence
The festival’s founding premise was simple yet bold: to give Filipino and Filipino American filmmakers a space to tell stories that matter — stories that reflect identity, migration, love, loss, laughter, and the complex beauty of the Filipino experience. The inaugural year introduced just over a dozen films from local and overseas entries, but what stood out was not the scale — it was the soul. These early works captured the diaspora’s heartbeats and inspired a new wave of creative storytelling in Las Vegas.
By its second year, LVFSFF had become a magnet for fresh talent. The festival drew entries from as far as Manila, Dubai, and Toronto, expanding its genre reach — from deeply moving dramas and quirky comedies to experimental shorts, thrillers, and documentary films rooted in social commentary. Panels, talkbacks, and networking mixers transformed the event into more than a screening—it became a hub of mentorship and collaboration, where new voices found their footing alongside seasoned creatives.
The Third Year: A Creative Renaissance
Now entering its third season, LVFSFF has firmly established itself as one of the most anticipated cultural events in Southern Nevada. The 2025 selection reflects both artistic diversity and technical excellence. From heartfelt coming-of-age tales and animation hybrids to cinematic reflections on faith, identity, and belonging — this year’s roster showcases the range, ambition, and global caliber of Filipino short filmmaking today.
The festival continues to nurture an ecosystem where creativity thrives: filmmakers, actors, writers, cinematographers, and production designers gather not only to compete but to connect — to build an industry that mirrors the dynamism of the Filipino spirit. Through partnerships with community organizations, cultural institutions, and local businesses, LVFSFF is paving the way for an inclusive creative economy where artistry and opportunity meet.
Rising Stars and Defining Narratives
Over the years, LVFSFF has been a launchpad for several rising stars — filmmakers whose work has gone on to screen internationally, actors now seen in streaming platforms and TV series, and storytellers who found their voice through the festival’s mentorship and exposure. These success stories embody what LVFSFF stands for: the belief that every Filipino story deserves a stage.
From raw student films to polished professional productions, the narratives emerging from LVFSFF challenge stereotypes, reimagine identities, and redefine what it means to be Filipino in a globalized world. Each year, the festival proves that short films can have long-lasting impact — shaping perceptions, building bridges, and inspiring generations to come.
A Legacy in the Making
As it celebrates its third year, the Las Vegas Filipino Short Film Festival continues to be more than a showcase. It is a movement — one that amplifies creativity, nurtures community, and reminds us that every story told adds another light to the constellation of Filipino artistry.
The journey is still being written, one frame at a time.
OCTOBER 24-26, 2025, Friday to Sunday
THIRD EDITION/2025
THE FILM BLOCKS
The Film Blocks: Curated Stories, Diverse Voices
From 50 outstanding film entries submitted from across the Philippines, the U.S., and around the world, the Las Vegas Filipino Short Film Festival Selection Committee faced the exhilarating challenge of narrowing them down to the Top 25 finalists now featured in this year’s screening lineup.
Each film was viewed, discussed, and scored based on storytelling strength, technical excellence, originality, emotional impact, and cultural resonance. The finalists were then carefully grouped into Film Blocks — themed clusters that reflect the range of Filipino creativity and experience, from powerful social commentaries to heartwarming comedies, romantic dramas, and bold experimental pieces.
This year’s Film Blocks allow audiences to experience a full spectrum of Filipino narratives — different voices, one shared spirit. Each block promises an unforgettable journey through the eyes of filmmakers who dare to tell their stories with truth, humor, and heart.
And behind every selection is a story of passion and teamwork: a 12-hour marathon viewing session hosted by Wendell J. Mandapat and Generose Lee-Mandapat, who not only opened their home but also kept our Preliminary Film Screening Committee fed, energized, and inspired throughout the day.
To our screening committee — your dedication, laughter, and sharp eyes shaped the films you’ll see on screen today.
To our filmmakers — thank you for trusting us with your stories.
And to our audiences — welcome to the 3rd Las Vegas Filipino Short Film Festival, where every block of film is a celebration of who we are.
Testimonials
Giovannie Espiritu, Best Screenplay winner,2023 LVFSFF forALLY 3000
“Loved my time at the Las Vegas Short Film Festival! They definitely know how to treat filmmakers well, and it was so nice to be surrounded by community as there is also a FAB convention happening concurrently. Salamat for everything!”
“Thank you so much for giving us a chance to showcase our OBRA in The Las Vegas Filipino Short Film Festival. We are happy because somehow we were nominated for BEST IN CINEMATOGRAPHY. MABUHAY!”
Russel John Palomillo, Director
Richard Haywood, Best Cinematography winner, 2023 LVFSFF for FATHER FIGURE.
“Amazing Festival, and great selection of films.”
