American International Short Film Festival Returns to Los Angeles With 46 Films From 30 Countries

LOS ANGELES — The American International Short Film Festival (AISFF) returns to Los Angeles September 14–17 with 46 short films representing 30 countries, featuring industry panels, filmmaker networking and a live entertainment program, giving AISFF an international scope while maintaining its focus on emerging talent and short-form storytelling.

The festival, held at City Club Los Angeles, is partnering this year with the Alliance of Women Directors (AWD) as part of its programming focused on emerging filmmakers and women working behind the camera.

Founded by David Meiselman, AISFF positions short filmmaking as an entry point for emerging directors, writers, actors and producers looking to build audiences and industry connections.

“A short film can be a filmmaker’s calling card, but getting that film in front of the right people can change the trajectory of a career,” Meiselman said. “We created AISFF to give filmmakers a place where their work can be seen, their voices can be heard, and where they can make the connections that can move their careers forward.”

The festival’s international selection spans genres including drama, comedy, documentary, animation, horror, science fiction, thriller and music video, with awards recognizing filmmaking and performance across multiple categories.

On Wednesday, September 16,  AISFF will combine industry programming with an evening of live entertainment. The afternoon will feature a series of industry panels, culminating at 4 p.m. with a conversation featuring Peter Baxter, founder of the Slamdance Film Festival. 

The entertainment lineup includes musical performances by Adelaide Pilar and Las Chingonas, followed by a fashion presentation featuring Los Pachucos of Fullerton. The evening will also feature a burlesque performance by Ruby Champagne.

AISFF’s partnership with the Alliance of Women Directors further emphasizes opportunities for women filmmakers and visibility for women working in directing.

The combination of film screenings, industry programming and live performance gives AISFF a broader festival format, bringing filmmakers and audiences together beyond the traditional screening schedule.

For participating filmmakers, the festival’s four-day program includes screenings, networking opportunities, industry discussions and awards recognizing work across a range of categories.

AISFF 2026

American International Short Film Festival
September 14–17, 2026
City Club Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California

?? TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW. Film fans, filmmakers and industry professionals can get tickets and view the complete festival schedule at AISFFLA.org.

Don’t miss four days of international short films, filmmaker conversations, industry panels and live entertainment in Los Angeles.

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