LATIFF 2025 Sets New Standard for International Film Festivals with Impact-Driven Cinema and World-Class Honors

The Los Angeles Tribune International Film Festival (LATIFF) ushers in a new era of cinematic excellence and social impact with its groundbreaking 3-day debut

SANTA ANA, CA, UNITED STATES, August 19, 2025 /EINPresswire.com/ -- In a triumphant fusion of red carpet glamour, cultural reverence, and mission-driven media, the Los Angeles Tribune International Film Festival (LATIFF) has officially concluded its historic inaugural event, held August 14–16 at AMC Orange 30 in Orange, CA.

Hosted by The Los Angeles Tribune, LATIFF welcomed a distinguished global audience of filmmakers, actors, changemakers, and cultural influencers, offering a first-of-its-kind platform where cinema and social consciousness converged.

A Historic Convergence of Vision and Purpose

From powerful premieres to world-class panels, LATIFF delivered a multi-sensory celebration of film as a vehicle for global transformation. The North American premiere of PARO – The Untold Story of Bride Slavery ignited the Awards Night with standing ovations.

Oscar-listed producer and humanitarian Trupti Bhoir (Trupti Bhoir Films) was honored with multiple accolades, including:
TribuneX Global Voice in Film Award
Best Actress Award
TribuneX Tribute Award for her body of work, including Oscar Listed Touring Talkies

The festival also proudly showcased a diverse slate of standout films, including Amber Monet’s poignant short Dear Josephine, Jenny Thai’s bold debut Book of Death, Isamu Imakake’s animated epic Dragon Heart, Youth centered Got Cancer: Survivor Journey by A Voices Unheard Films and Azita Damandan’s drama Mourners—further expanding LATIFF’s genre diversity and visionary storytelling range.

A Platform for Global Voices and Rising Talent

LATIFF’s curated lineup featured powerful independent films, visionary directors, and conversations with producers shaping the future of storytelling. Attendees explored themes such as social justice, ancestral heritage, environmental advocacy, gender equity, and AI in cinema.

The festival also spotlighted first-time filmmakers alongside industry veterans, and featured dynamic panel discussions on the future of socially conscious filmmaking, as well as fireside chats with leading voices in media, tech, and storytelling innovation.

TribuneX Awards: Honoring Excellence Across Borders

LATIFF’s world-class award segment spotlighted storytellers from across the globe, whose works moved hearts and shifted paradigms. Among the most distinguished honors was the TribuneX Award—a signature recognition created exclusively for LATIFF. Coined by Ruhi (Rohini Hak), LATIFF’s Chair of Programming, Partnerships, and Social Impact, the TribuneX Award was established to honor visionary creatives whose work transcends traditional cinema to inspire meaningful social transformation.

The TribuneX Award celebrates filmmakers, actors, and cultural contributors who use storytelling as a force for impact—amplifying underrepresented voices, challenging dominant narratives, and advancing justice, empathy, and global awareness.

This unique honor reflects LATIFF’s core mission: to spotlight media that matters and elevate stories that shape a more conscious, connected, and compassionate world.

Honorees included:

Feature & Documentary Highlights

Book of Death – Best First-Time Director (Jenny Thai) + Best International Impact Stories
PARO – The Untold Story Of Bride Slavery - Global Voice in Film + Best Actress (Trupti Bhoir)
SUNDOWN – Best Screenplay (Nikki Wheeler)
Dear Josephine – Best Documentary Short (Earlene Gray)
Our Lady at the Center – Best Documentary Feature (Dr. Elysabeth & Scott Q. Nguyen)
Ukrainians in Exile – Outstanding Documentary Short

Animation, Youth & Narrative Excellence

Garden of Peace – Animated Impact Award (Tess Cacciatore)
Got Cancer: Survivor Journey – Youth Resilience in Motion Award (Shalini, A Voices Unheard Film)
Dreamers – Relevant Narrative Award (E’ian West)
Now and Never – Wellness Spotlight Award (Kavi Ramachandran)
Dragon Heart – Best Animation Feature (Mari Doyle & Mimi Hanki)

International & Technical Recognition

HUONG GA / RISE – International Film Award (Cuong Ngo)
Trapped – Threads of Society Award (Jill Melody + team)
Mourners – Best Foreign Film (Leonard Sun)
Construct – Best Music Score (Colin Aguiar)
Schizm – The Human Spirit Award (Filmmaker absent)

The Los Angeles Tribune Lifetime Honors

To honor legacies of lasting impact, LATIFF and The Los Angeles Tribune proudly presented:
Lifetime Achievement Awards to Kieu Chinh (Vietnamese Actress), Kamel Krifa (Film Stuntman & Producer), Larry Namer (Founder of E! Entertainment), Bobbie Chance (Acting Coach to the stars) Kyana F. Davidson (Producer Marvel Studios.)

Lifetime Achievement Awards & Action Director of the Year: James Cullen Bressack, and Producer of the Year: Kyana F. Davidson

Extraordinary Sponsors & Creative Collaborators

LATIFF’s success was made possible by an inspiring lineup of sponsors and creative partners, each committed to advancing storytelling with heart:
JOTTI (Jot Singh) – Singer-songwriter & music supporter of the arts
GAIABAY, founded by Gaurav Bhargava – Global B2C marketplace
Becca Brazil – Only1MediaPR
A Voices Unheard Films / Hopeblit in partnership with Urbanite LA
Simple DCP – Official DCP partner for LATIFF film screenings
Tri Ta — California Assemblyman

Trailer- “The Haunted DIaries “ by Sampath Kandala
Councilwoman Zeel Ahir of Artesia, whose presence underscored the importance of civic partnership in uplifting cultural dialogue and inclusive storytelling.

LATIFF 2025 Fashion Show: Where Culture Walked the Runway

In a dazzling display of fashion diplomacy and global style, LATIFF hosted a debut fashion show with various international collections, produced by LA Fashion Closet with visionary producer Shagun Gupta, in collaboration with COO Aniket Gupta, Show Director Rashad Todd, Designers Coordinator Robyn Carmona, and emceed by Septimius The Great.

Fashion Brands Featured:
Septimius Couture – Septimius The Great
Kandahar Market – Helay Ayoub
Galina Couture – Galina Mihaleva
Tarpa Tribes – Indian tribal women artisans championed by Trupti Bhoir

The event highlighted fashion as storytelling, amplifying heritage, resilience, and women-led design from across the world.

Founding Leadership and the Heart Behind LATIFF

Festival Founder and Los Angeles Tribune CEO Moe Rock opened the closing ceremony with a message rooted in gratitude, visionary leadership, and the power of media to transform culture. He was joined by LATIFF Co-Founder and President Dr. Emily Letran, whose leadership helped shape a platform that gave space to emerging and underrepresented voices from over a dozen countries.

A Community-Driven Festival With Lasting Impact

Throughout the three days, LATIFF drew support from city leaders, community advocates, international media outlets, and partner organizations across the globe.

The Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony, attended by dignitaries including Ali Sajjad Taj, the Mayor of Artesia, marked a ceremonial launch that symbolized LATIFF’s dedication to civic and cultural collaboration.

Social media was abuzz throughout the weekend under the official hashtag #LATIFF2025, with attendees sharing red carpet moments, film reviews, behind-the-scenes content, and powerful takeaways from the panels and screenings.

What’s Next for LATIFF

Following its 3-day success, LATIFF has laid the foundation for an expanded 2026 experience, featuring global film competitions, community initiatives, educational forums, immersive cultural showcases, and even more opportunities for meaningful cinematic exchange.

As The Los Angeles Tribune continues to redefine what media can be— with integrity, innovation, and impact, LATIFF has now cemented its place in history—as a festival not just of films, but of voices, values, and visionary futures. It stands as a living testament to the power of storytelling to awaken hearts, elevate voices, and shape a better world.

Press Contact:
Parisa Rose
Executive Producer The Los Angeles Tribune International Film Festival (LATIFF)
Parisa @TribuneLA.com

Ava V. Manuel
The Los Angeles Tribune
+1 530-999-1320
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