Salute Your Shorts Film Festival
Salute Your Shorts Film Festival
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WEEKEND AT A GLANCE:
Join us in Hollywood for the 9th annual Salute Your Shorts Film Festival, named one of MovieMaker Magazine’s “50 Festivals Worth the Entry Fee.” Whether you're a filmmaker or a film lover, come experience our signature films with aftertaste—the kind that linger long after the credits roll—plus interactive talkbacks, parties, panels, and more.
🎬 Opening Night – Friday, August 15
The festival kicks off at 7:00 PM with a powerful conversation with choreographer Ryan Heffington, paired with a screening of FLY BABY FLY, the moving short about his desert dance residency.
🕕 Doors & bar open at 6:15 PM
🎉 Opening Night Party: 8:30–11:00 PM
📽️ Film Screenings
• Saturday, Aug 16: 11:00 AM–11:00 PM
• Sunday, Aug 17: 11:00 AM–5:00 PM
💃 Closing Panel – Sunday, August 17 at 5:30 PM
Join us for a panel on screenwriting featuring Jacob Krueger (Write Your Screenplay), presented by Antigravity Academy. This special event leads directly into our Awards Show & Closing Night Celebration.
🍿 Food and beverages available throughout the weekend.
📍All events are at the Assistance League Theatre - 1367 N St Andrews Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90028
SCHEDULE:
FRIDAY AUG 15
OPENING NIGHT PANEL - 7:00 pm Friday 8/15. Doors at 6:15pm
⚡ Life-Changing Art, Art-Changing Life — Ryan Heffington and the Power of Mentorship ⚡
In a world where movement becomes memory and dance becomes healing, join us for a rare behind-the-scenes look at how artistry can transform trauma—and vice versa. This panel features an in-competition screening of FLY BABY FLY, a stylized and emotionally raw portrait of choreographer Ryan Heffington (Euphoria, Chandelier, tick, tick…BOOM!) as he develops a deeply personal Broadway-bound show in the Mojave Desert.
Through dance, Ryan confronts the shadows of his past and reclaims his narrative alongside a trusted circle of collaborators. After the film, Ryan joins us for a conversation about the alchemy of storytelling through movement, the responsibility of mentorship, and the radical vulnerability it takes to turn pain into performance.
As part of this special evening, Ryan will be honored with the inaugural Vanguard Award, recognizing outstanding trailblazing contributions that have had a profound impact on film, television, and moving images.
Expect honesty, connection, and a glimpse into the transformative power of art that dares to go deep.
OPENING NIGHT PARTY - 8:30 pm Friday 8/15
Mix and mingle with this year's filmmakers and be photographed on our red carpet. Select images will appear on Getty. ***Please note this is a separate purchase from the opening night panel. Capacity is limited.
SATURDAY AUG 16
BLOCK 1 - 11:00 AM
Joey Earns Rewards Using the McDonald's Mobile App & Megh and Clev Discuss Their Future Together
Private Moments
Flower Show
Freak
Sweet Talkin' Guy
The Life We Have
BLOCK 2 - 1:00 PM
RAT!
Contours
LIVE
An Ongoing List of Things Found in the Library Book Drop, Usually Being Used as Bookmarks
remember me
Monster Slayer
BLOCK 3 - 3:00 PM
Revenge of the Language Master 1757B
Pee Shy
BLOCK 4 - 5:00 PM
Bulldozer
Vermin Beings
Motorcycle Mary
BLOCK 5 - 7:00 PM
Rehearsal
BLOCK 6 - 9:00 PM - AFTER HOURS (viewer discretion)
Clementine
Randy as Himself
Whitch
Stomach Bug
Chow
SUNDAY AUG 17
BLOCK 7 - 11:00 AM - FAMILY CONVERSATIONS -- A collection of films without strong language or sexual situations.
Wild Animal
BLOCK 8 - 1:00 PM
And Usted También
BLOCK 9 - 3:00 PM
Second Date With Wet Sarah
One Day This Kid
What Freedom
Queen of Hearts
Unholy
Blueberry
SCENE AND BE SEEN: FESTIVAL FAREWELL PARTY - 5:00-6:00PM
Celebrate another SYSFF coming to a close with food, drink, and incredible new friendships.
CLOSING NIGHT PANEL - 6:00 PM Sunday 8/17. Doors at 5:15 PM
🖊️ Hypnotize Your Reader (And Yourself): How To Suspend Disbelief, Blow Past Resistance & Conquer Creative Blocks 🖊️
Presented in partnership with Antigravity Academy, this live conversation features Jacob Krueger of Write Your Screenplay. Whether you’re an emerging writer or a seasoned storyteller, Jacob’s unique approach to structure, character, and theme will leave you inspired — and ready to write.
All writers are hypnotists. Our job is to help our readers have real emotional experiences in relation to fictional moments they consciously know are not real. In this conversation, you'll learn hypnotic writing techniques that will captivate even the most skeptical reader, helping them suspend disbelief and experience your screenplay as a vivid, immersive film playing in their mind. You'll also learn self-hypnosis techniques to help you overcome internal resistance, fears, and creative blocks, so you can connect more deeply with your characters and put an end to writer’s block for good.
2025 CLASS PHOTO - 7:45 pm Sun 8/17
Filmmakers, cast, and crew can meet us on stage for a group photo!
AWARDS PRESENTATION - 8:00 pm Sun 8/17
"Runner-up" and "Best of Category" are presented for Comedy, Drama, Genre, Animation, Documentary, Episodic, Auteur/Experimental, and Super-Short. Additional awards include (but may not be limited to) "Programmers Choice," "Local Award," "Best of Festival" and "Audience Award" - determined by our voting audience!
🎟️ TERMS AND CONDITONS
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All sales are final. No refunds or exchanges.
*Disclaimer- you CANNOT use a discount or voucher funds on Merchandise. You will not be given the product on-site if attempted.*
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Check your schedule carefully. Film blocks may include multiple titles — be sure to review block descriptions before booking.
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Seating is first come, first served. Doors open 15 minutes before showtime unless otherwise noted.
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Respectful behavior is required. We reserve the right to revoke access to any festival event, without refund, for individuals engaging in disruptive, discriminatory, or inappropriate behavior.
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Passes are non-transferable. Festival credentials may not be shared.
Provided parking is first come first serve. A lot is available at the intersection of Fernwood and St. Andrews place.
We appreciate your help in keeping Salute Your Shorts a safe, inclusive, and welcoming space for all.