Embedded Files
2025
West Hollywood International Festival is a special program created by DeepARTment, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting art for social good. This festival is a specific response to the current global need for representation of aspiring filmmakers, standing for diversity, equality and inclusion.
We are amplifying the voices of independent. Our selected films tell powerful stories.
West Hollywood International Film Festival is a call for dialogue, reminding us of the importance of using creativity and compassion as tools for change.
We are proud to stand with filmmakers who advocate for a future defined by understanding, empathy, and cultural exchange.
September 20, 2026.
Online
Who can participate
All filmmakers of any age from anywhere in the world who advocate for a future defined by understanding, empathy and cultural exchange.
What we are looking for
We aim to shift the focus away from political agendas and instead bring attention to the human experiences of conflict and the desire for a peaceful future. We aim to highlight the voices and stories of those who advocate for diversity, equality, inclusion, freedom and fairness.
Formats
Creative video pieces presenting full length or short documentaries, features, music videos and art video compositions.
Deadline and show dates
The Film Against War festival will be held online on March 21st 2026.
The SUBMISSION DEADLINE is August 30, 2026, 11:59pm PST
Terms
* Submission does not guarantee your project will be selected to be shown at the festival.
Please ensure that if your project is not in English, it includes English subtitles.
All projects, excluding music videos, must include credits at the end. This condition is optional for music videos.
All video files must be 1920x1080 pixels (Full HD).
Selection process
Each project will be evaluated by multiple judges to ensure a balanced assessment.
To ensure fairness, transparency, and consistency in the judging process projects will be evaluated by multiple parameters.
1. Judging Criteria
1. Judging Criteria
Judges will evaluate each project based on a set of predefined criteria, such as:
Story and Script (for narrative films)
Creativity and Originality
Direction and Cinematic Vision
Acting and Performances (for narrative films)
Technical Quality (cinematography, editing, sound, etc.)
Cultural or Social Relevance
Impact or Emotional Resonance
Production Value
Each judge will assign a score between 1 and 10 for each category, where:
1 = Poor
10 = Outstanding
Program of the Day at the festival
5pm PDT - beginning of online broadcast
Festival crew
Rimma PaninA
Rimma PaninA
Director of the festival
Rimma Panina is an accomplished cinematographer, writer, and producer with a rich background in film production. She is currently spearheading an exciting new project, the International Slavic Film Festival, in collaboration with a diverse and trusted team of friends. This initiative aims to shift the perception of the Slavic world from Russian-centric to Slavic-centric and address the underrepresentation of Slavic culture in the US. In addition to her creative endeavors, Rimma enhances the academic and creative environment at Saddleback College as a laboratory technician in the Cinema, TV, and Radio Department, and supports female filmmakers as an event coordinator for the on-campus club LoFI. Her work organizing the LoFI Film Festival for the last four years further showcases her dedication to fostering talent and promoting diverse cultural narratives within the cinematic landscape.
Misha Suvorov
Misha Suvorov
Producer, host
Misha Suvorov is a trained actor from the city of theaters, Saint Petersburg, Russia. He graduated Sanford Meisner Center in 2016 and works on stage, TV and in film. Coming from an artsy soviet intelligentsia family, he enjoyed a privilege of having the best of what late soviet era of underground arts could offer. As of his acting style, Misha undertook Konstantin Stanislavski's method study and additional training in Mikhail Chekov's technique. In 2013 Misha arrived at Hollywood were he studied at Sanford Meisner Center of Los Angeles to learn an American way of acting. In 2024 his solo acting stage performance The Boarder won the Best of The Actors' group during the Hollywood Fringe festival.
igor Parfenov
igor Parfenov
Content Manager
Igor has been working in the movie industry for more than a decade, specializing in audio. Born and raised in Moscow, where his early life experience shaped his appreciation for art as a medium for social and political expression, he then moved to Los Angeles in 2014 to pursue a career in film and video production and honed his craft through former training in audio production in LA Film School and in
Partnership, sponsorship and accreditation
PArtnership
PArtnership
We invite you to join our network of partners in supporting a vision of peaceful coexistence and meaningful collaboration, transcending political agendas and conflicts of dominance.
DeepARTment, the organizational body behind thefestival, is a nonprofit charity powered by volunteers and donations from generous individuals and organizations. We are committed to helping creative immigrants rediscover their voices and express themselves in their new environments, alleviating the stresses of survival and cultural adaptation.
If you’re looking to engage with our audience through your products, services, or ideas, consider opportunities such as providing catering, coffee breaks, custom T-shirts and merchandise, or printing services. Your team could also volunteer to assist with greeting guests, preparing event spaces, or handling post-event cleanup. We’re always open to your suggestions for new ways to collaborate.
Sponsorship
Sponsorship
Join our "Thanks to..." list, see your banners, flags, and posters across the festival venues and your logo - featured in promotional materials and the festival program.
Your sponsorship of the festival is a tax-deductible charitable contribution. Your support allows us to produce more promotional content, publish impactful articles, and create powerful videos — each helping to shift perspectives on the consequences of war and amplify the call for peace, we all want to live in. Link your brand with the idea and image of a protecting shield.
By supporting DeepARTment, you indirectly foster opportunities for artists to enrich society through their work. DeepARTment exists to enable creators to produce more art, and art is the essence of what makes us human.
Let’s celebrate creativity as a force for peace and humanity— your support can help us achieve this.
For media
For media
We’re here to make your job easier! Our team is happy to provide information, ideas, interviews, stills, and videos to help you create compelling stories for your audience.
If you’re interested in using festival as a promotional opportunity for your media outlet, we’d love to discuss options for coverage in exchange for placing your logo on our flyers, banners, festival programs, website, ticketing platforms, and social media. Let’s collaborate creatively and establish a partnership that benefits us both.
Additionally, offering informational support to a nonprofit is considered a charitable contribution and may benefit your tax filings.
With our team of media professionals who understand the needs of your audience, working with DeepARTment is sure to be a smooth and rewarding experience.
September 20, 2025
Online
5 PM PDT. West Hollywood International Film Festival.
Presented by Russian Speaking Advisory Board of City of West Hollywood and RimoVision Group.
With the support of Navalny LA Group and RADR (Russian Americans for Democracy in Russia).
We believe that when people create together, it becomes difficult to remain enemies.
Collaboration fosters trust, a sense of safety, and ultimately, happiness.
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