SoCal Film Awards · Filmmaker Experiences

What Filmmakers Are Saying

Words from filmmakers and screenwriters who have participated in the SoCal Film Awards.

“Such an exciting opportunity to be involved in this festival. Even with it having to be remote this year, the event coordinators were very communicative and such wonderful people. I hope to be working with them again in the future.”

— Phranque Wright
October 2020

“The SoCal Film Awards is a great resource and platform for indie filmmakers to showcase their films. We're honored to have received the Best Faith-Based Movie award for our film "Blanche." Great experience and communication. Thank you, SoCal Film Awards!”

— Twila LaBar
October 2020

“Socal you guys are amazing. Great communication during the entire virtual process. We humbly accept the awards and look forward to being there in person next year. Thank you so much again.”

— JayTee Thompson
November 2020

“Fantastic experience with SoCal Film Awards. What an outstanding festival. Highly recommended!”

— Steve Hall
March 2021

“Dear SoCal Film Awards—you have made us very happy! What a burst of delight and celebration your awards have brought. I’ve notified those in the cast/crew and it is with the fullest pride that we thank you for acknowledging our overall work as well as our specific players (and editor) who brought this film into being. Feedback is of such value and when it comes in this rare form it provides so much energy, needed energy, to claim with confidence this road we’ve chosen. So, thanks for the life! Stephen Keep Mills, writer/director Love is not Love.”

— Stephen Mills
March 2021

“It was wonderful to have my film selected and recognized at the SoCal Film Awards. They provided excellent communication and feedback. It was an enjoyable/professional film experience!”

— Andrew Bystrom
April 2021

“We had a great experience with SoCal Film Awards! Excellent communication, only regret is that we were unable to attend a live event. Looking forward to submitting again!”

— Larry Wade Carrell
August 2021

“Great experience. Full pro. Brian was a delight to work with. He answered all our questions, was very supportive and everything was handled so professionally. We are so proud to have been part of their terrific event. We hope to have something to them next year for consideration, Great experience. !!!”

— Cherie Kerr
August 2021

“First off thank you for the selection and award for our short, The God Can. We are honored to be in the company of some excellent films. As an online event this year, your timely communication has been appreciated. We look forward to making future submissions to this fine festival.”

— 4Leaf Productions
January 2022

“So honoured to have our first short movie tRuth receive an honorable mention. Great festival with fantastic communication. Will not hesitate to submit again! Thank you!”

— Sylvie Zaidman
January 2023

“Such a great festival, we are so incredibly honored to have received Best Short Film! We will definitely be back! Thank you so so so much SoCal!”

— Michelle Wolett
January 2023

“Great communications, very informative festival site, Filmmaker friendly”

— John Sexton
February 2023

“A very worthwhile festival for screenwriters. Thank you for selecting "Hazel the Viking" as a Finalist.”

— Jim Norman
July 2023

“Wonderful festival, very well organized and run by a great group of passionate industry veterans! Thank you so much for all!”

— Katherine Schimmel
July 2023

“Excellent festival. Great communication, runs on schedule. Thrilled to be a finalist in such a prestigious and historic festival. I look forward to submitting again!”

— KAT SPARKS
July 2023

“Many thanks to SoCal Film Awards for Diamond Award, Best Documentary Short for my film, Planet Ocean Blues! This means the world to an Indie filmmaker! Cheers, Michael Buckley”

— Michael Buckley
February 2024

“A thank you is in order to the SoCal Film Awards for not only selecting The Devil's Entrance and Older Self into your Awards Festival but awarding The Devil's Entrance for Best Sound Design.”

— Tom Michaels
February 2024

“An outstanding and well established film festival that delivered on everything represented on its website. Communication is also excellent. Thank you SoCal for the honor of your awards and for the pleasure of being part of your wonderful Film Festival.”

— Matthew Margo
February 2024

“Great platform for your film or script. Thank you for the support from the beginning of entering “A New Believer” into the festival all the way to the end. Great Film Festival!! Ellie Mae Smith”

— Ellie Mae Smith
February 2024

“I am thrilled to express my deepest gratitude for the honor of “Kill Two Birds” receiving the Movie Trailer category. Participating in the SoCal Film Awards has been an unforgettable experience, and this award is a testament to the hard work and dedication put forth by our incredible team. Thank you to the festival organizers for fostering a space where filmmakers can share their creativity. Thank you again for recognizing my work and providing a platform to showcase my trailer, I look forward to participating in future events!”

— Marjoe Aguiling
April 2024

“This is a great festival to showcase your work; it's an honor to have been an award winner for the SoCal Film Awards, especially here in LA in the heart of the film world.”

— Jennifer Molina
September 2024

“Really appreciated the great communication! They laid out the notification dates and they stuck with them. Proud to win Best Faith Based Movie with our film The Solution. Looking forward to submitting future projects.”

— Andrew J. Bullard IV
May 2025

“I got Best Director for my film Unshod which was a very nice surprise! The SoCal team were awesome!”

— Mary Piller
June 2025

“Thank you so much to Gordon Shelly and the entire SoCal Film Awards team for an incredible experience participating in this online film awards! I was ecstatic to receive the Diamond Award within the Ring of Honor for the best documentary short, Season 20: "Coastal Consciousness: San Diego." To receive recognition from this organization is an experience I will never forget. Thank you.”

— James Wicks
July 2025

“Such an honor to be a winner at this festival. Great experience all around!”

— Jeff Macolino
January 2026

“Being part of the SoCal Film Awards was a truly positive experience. It was an honor to have my work recognized alongside so many talented filmmakers. The event highlighted a diverse range of creative voices and celebrated independent storytelling in a meaningful way. I’m thankful for the opportunity and would gladly recommend it to other artists looking to share their work.”

— Vox Rocket Studios
January 2026

“Thanks to the Southern California Film Award for its recognition of me. Over the way, I have encountered many difficulties. Under all kinds of difficulties, I am grateful to the Southern California Film Award for choosing me, so that my story can be seen by more people around the world! I plan to write a new story next year, and I will definitely come here again! I hope we can meet again in Southern California!”

— SHULIN ZHANG
February 2026

“Thank you SoCal Film Awards for selecting my short film “The Adventures of Paleta Man” and for awarding it HONORABLE MENTION. It was a pleasure submitting my project to your prestigious film festival. Looking forward to next year when I submit the feature film!”

— Paul Ramirez
August 2026

“sincere and genuine approach to recognizing outstanding films”

— MASOOD ALI
September 2026

“many thanks judges for awarding an Honorable Mention”

— Chris Ducey
August 2026

“professional and provided valuable feedback”

— Eric Sollars
August 2026