Whittier Film Festival 2025
Support visual arts college students and filmmakers
from Southern California.
About the Festival
Join us as we support local visual arts college students and filmmakers from across Southern California. This exciting 2-day event features film screenings, panels, red carpet moments, and live entertainment from top talent in California’s creative scene.
Kickoff Ceremony (Live Event)
- Friday, September 19, 2025
- Shannon Center, Whittier, CA
- Doors Open: 6:30 PM
- Host: 95.5 DJ Frazer Smith
- Music: Big Band by The Wiseguys
- Special Recognition: Actor Robert Carradine
- Guests:
- Paul Rodriguez
- Carolyn Hennessy
- Colleen Bell
- Mayor Joe Vinatieri
- Senator Bob Archuleta
Featured Films & Panels
A weekend of celebration featuring award-winning films, filmmaker panels, red carpet photo ops, raffles, and a free outdoor street festival in Uptown Whittier
Q&A with Paul Rodriguez
Q&A with Paul Rodriguez & Mel Garcia
Q&A with the Filmmakers of Carlos Through the Tall Grass
Q&A with Patti McCarthy & Miguel Angel Garcia
The Big Red One (Remastered)
First screening in Whittier with Robert Carradine
Others to be announced!...
Meet Our Esteemed Panelists
Panels all day Saturday and Sunday with directors, producers, designers, writers from all your favorite movies
Joe Vinatier
Mayor
Colleen Bell
Commissioner
Bob Archuleta
Senator
Fiona Ma
State Treasurer
Henry Stern
Senator
Joe Vinatier
Mayor
Colleen Bell
Commissioner
Bob Archuleta
Senator
Fiona Ma
State Treasurer
Henry Stern
Senator
Other political panelists include, Councilmembers Mary Ann Pacheco, Fernando Dutra, Kathy Warner, Octavio Martinez, Gustavo Camacho, Sal Melendez, and David Torres. Promoting young artists, film makers, writers, designers and future directors from
Whittier College, Rio Hondo Community College, Cal State Fullerton, Cal State Los Angeles,
Cerritos College and Biola University.
Weekend Highlights
- Street Closure: 12:00 PM–8:00 PM on Saturday, September 20
- Movies All Day: Starlight Theater
- Panels: At the Doubletree Hotel
- Over 25 Bars & Restaurants – Promo week in Uptown Whittier
- Photo Ops: All week long
- Buy a ticket to Friday's event and get a Special Inaugural Lanyard!
Ticket Pricing
Pick up raffle tickets at Starlight Cinema on Greenleaf.