presents
Experience a Night at the Movies Like Never Before!August 31st, 2025Torrance, CA
Experience a Night at the Movies
Like Never Before!
Join award-winning producers from Riptide Films and Evol Dog Productions as they present a bold vision of the new Hollywood. This exciting festival showcases the most innovative and boundary-pushing independent filmmakers from Southern California, all competing for top honors. Be among the first to witness these groundbreaking stories unfold on the big screen and see who takes home the festival’s prestigious awards!
Celebrate Local Talent &
Independent Cinema
Support Torrance’s emerging talent in the High School Screening Block, featuring films from local student programs. Then, immerse yourself in a diverse selection of visionary short films in the Indie Screening Block, spanning an array of genres and styles.
Upgrade to the Full Festival Experience!
With a VIP Festival Pass, enjoy exclusive perks like Red Carpet photos, premier seating, and access to our VIP lounge—perfect for networking with filmmakers and fellow cinephiles.
Torrance Cultural Arts Foundation (TOCA)
The shared vision of the Torrance Cultural Arts Foundation is to enrich the lives of all those within the City of Torrance and surrounding communities through the performing arts. By presenting relevant, accessible, and quality performances of all genres, we bridge cultural divides, inspire the young, support economic development, and begin conversations relevant to the human condition. To connect our community through culturally enriching experiences.
Evol Dog Productions
Evol Dog Productions was founded in March 2021 by friends from the Torrance/South Bay, California area, forging a unique path in the industry by embracing the indie and film festival route. The company creates compelling short films and episodic content that push creative boundaries. As a bold alternative to traditional film and television, it champions authenticity, collaboration, and resourceful filmmaking—telling human stories across diverse genres and capturing life’s complexities with creativity and innovation.
Aureate Productions
We craft immersive, community-driven experiences that inspire and engage. With a passion for innovative storytelling, we create high-quality content that fosters meaningful connections, blending narratives with social causes to leave a lasting impact on both entertainment and the communities we serve.
Date
Sunday, August 31, 2025
Location
James R. Armstrong Theatre
3330 Civic Center Dr
Torrance, CA 90503
Film Festival Flyer
Film Festival Schedule
As we get closer to the event, the schedule will be more comprehensive.We reserve the right to shorten or lengthen screenings, depending on programming.Red Carpet Opens
11:00 AMTheatre Opens
12:00 PMHigh School Filmmaker Screening Block
12:15 PMHigh School Awards
2:30 PMIndie Filmmaker Screening Block A
5:00 PMDinner Break (1 hour)
6:00 PMIndie Filmmaker Screening Block B
7:00 PMIndie Filmmaker Awards
9:00 PMEvent Ends
10:00 PM
Parking and Transportation
Parking is FREE and plenty!The location is close to many bus stops and near a regional transit center. Transportation app drop off and pick up--easy too!
Seating
500 Seats
Seating Accomodations
TOCA staff makes every effort to accommodate patrons with special needs. Wheelchair seating is available in a variety of locations in both the Armstrong and Nakano Theatres. Please indicate any special needs on the order form, or call the box office 48 hours prior to the performance. This can be done at the time of ticket purchase.
Submit Your Short Film to the
Riptide Film Festival
Submit your film today and be part of a festival that champions independent voices and fresh perspectives. We can’t wait to see your vision on the big screen!
Are you ready to share your story with the world? The Riptide Film Festival is calling for bold, original short films that inspire, entertain, and push creative boundaries. Whether you’re a student filmmaker, an indie creator, or an emerging storyteller, this is your chance to have your work screened in front of an engaged audience and industry professionals.
Before submitting
Submission Rules & Terms – Read the eligibility requirements, film length restrictions, and important deadlines.
Awards & Prizes – Learn about the categories, jury selections, and exciting prizes available to winning filmmakers.
Submission Important Dates and Deadlines
Indie Filmmaker Deadline: April 30th, 2025High School Deadline: June 29th, 2025High School Selection Notification Date: June 2nd, 2025Indie Filmmaker Selection Notification Date: July 8th, 2025
The following awards and prizes will be awarded at the 2025 Riptide Film Festival. This list includes awards and prizes granted or determined by the selection committee and (film school professors and industry professionals) judges. Award categories, award names, and possible prizes are subject to change and are up to the discretion of the judges, screeners, and programmers.By discretion, special awards may be given at the jury's discretion to recognize exceptional talent, innovation, or impact beyond the listed categories.
High School Awards
Best Short Wave
(Best Overall Film)
Awarded to the most outstanding high school short film, recognizing excellence in storytelling, creativity, and technical execution.
Breakout Filmmaker
(Best Young Director)
Celebrating a high school director who demonstrates exceptional filmmaking vision, leadership, and innovation.
A Cut Above
(Best Storytelling)
Honoring a high school film with the most compelling narrative, character development, and emotional impact.
Indie Filmmaker Awards
Golden Crest Award
(Best Overall Film)
Recognizing outstanding achievement in all aspects of filmmaking.
Heart of the Tide
(Best Screenplay)
Awarded to the most well-crafted screenplay, showcasing originality, structure, and powerful storytelling.
Rising Tide Filmmaker (Best Director)
Celebrating an independent filmmaker whose direction brings a unique and compelling vision to life.
Shoreline Spectacle
(Best Cinematography)
Recognizing excellence in visual storytelling, composition, and cinematography.
Please email or fill out the contact form, if you have any questions or concerns about submissions, submissions rules, or submission terms.
All submissions must have been completed after January of 2023.Films must not exceed 10 minutes in total length.The festival will only communicate with the project submitter. Please make sure your contact information is correct and monitored regularly, as we will only communicate with you, through email.All films must be the original work of the filmmakers, and all filmmakers must have the necessary rights. The festival will not be responsible for any copyright-related issues.The submitter agrees that the festival will use the trailer, poster, stills, and promotional material upon selection for festival promotional purposes.Selected films and directors will be included in pre-event director interviews.Filmmakers are required to submit their films through an online screener. Please note that we do not accept new or updated versions of the submitted films. Therefore, changing or updating the originally submitted link is not allowed. Our programmers will only review one version of your film.Filmmakers may submit multiple films. However, each film must be accompanied by a separate entry form and submission fee.Selected films must acknowledge that the festival reserves the right to promote the films on Riptide Films, Aureate Productions, Evol Dog Productions, and the Riptide Film Festival website and social media using both images and videos that you provide. By submitting, you permit us to use clips, stills, and trailers for promotional purposes.All films must be submitted through FilmFreeway, no physical or mailed submissions will be allowed.If your film was selected and screened at previous Riptide Film Festivals, it will not be accepted for this iteration.Films in a language other than English must include English subtitles.Entry fees are non-refundable.Selected films will receive 1 VIP ticket.
Help us select titles for this year’s official selection!
Our Screening Committees assist with viewing titles submitted to the Festival and nominating short films for awards. 3-5 Volunteer Screeners will help carefully curate a bold and exciting festival program.Whether you have a background in film, are a dedicated cinephile, a critic, or are simply curious, we’re open to anyone to join us as we assess the many submissions from local indie filmmakers.No need for resumes, cover letters, or interviews.
Benefits
1 Free VIP Ticket – Access to all festival screenings & perksCertificate of CompletionSee festival selections before anyone else!Network with indie filmmakers & gain festival experience
Film Screener Expectations & Responsibilities
Must have reliable internet access to stream submissions.
Should expect to watch a minimum of 15 short films (with a duration of less than 10 minutes each).All screeners are required to watch each film in full before completing an evaluation and nomination form for each short film.An open and unbiased mind is essential. You will need to provide fair, objective, and constructive evaluations of all films assigned.
All screeners are not allowed to submit a film to the festival to remain conflict-free.All screeners must keep all film submissions confidential and not share any content with external parties or online.Screeners will be required to attend an online evaluation training and guidelines webinar.
Attending the festival requires a ticket, learn how to purchase tickets and take part in exclusive opportunities!
Purchase Tickets
Tickets to attend the festival will be available for purchase on TOCA’s website.A limited number of tickets will be sold at the door, on the day of the event.
VIP Perks
Step and Repeat + Professional Red Carpet Photos
Early Entry
Access to VIP Lounge
VIP Badge
Concession Tickets
Ticket Tiers and Pricing
High School Block
$10
G.A. Access to High School Block and Award Ceremony
Indie Filmmaker Block
$15
G.A. Access to Indie Filmmaker Block and Award Ceremony
VIP Add-On
$25
Upgrade to VIP perks for G.A. attendees.
VIP Festival Pass
$40
Access to both screenings, the Award Ceremony, and VIP exclusive perks
G.A. = General Admission
Our 2025 Sponsors
Thank you to our sponsors!
Want your logo featured on our site among other perks? Sponsor the festival!
Why Sponsor Us?
Exposure – Engage with a passionate audience of film lovers and industry professionals.Brand Alignment – Connect with innovative creatives, filmmakers, and leaders.Media Reach – Gain access to local press and social media coverage.Community Impact – Support cultural enrichment and artistic growth.Marketing Perks – Benefit from event, digital, and experiential marketing for maximum brand impact.Flexible Entry Points – Affordable options ($250-$500) for smaller businesses, while premium sponsors receive high-impact branding.
Sponsor Tiers and Benefits
To download the image or see it in high resolution, please see PDF.
Social Media Strategy
Get a look into some of the types of content that you may receive, depending on your selected sponsor tier.
Pre-Event Content
30-Second Sponsor Introduction Reel: On-Location Business Interview and B-RollBehind-the-ScenesTagged and Collborated Instagram PostsEvent Press Release
Event Content
Live coverage of screenings, red carpet, and sponsor boothsReal-time audience engagement through Instagram stories and posts4-6 High-Quality Red Carpet PhotosInstagram Mentions and Tags on Community Collaboration PostsAdditional Collaboration Posts
Post-Event Content
Event Recap Videos15-30 Second Sponsor Highlight Reel: Event interviews, Event Recap, and Red Carpet AppearanceMention, Tagged, and Collborated Post-Event Instagram Posts
Theatrical Ad placement vs. Theatrical Commercial
Theatrical Ad Placement
Perfect for businesses with an already produced 15-30 second commercial, we will place your ad during the pre-show and intermissions.
Theatrical COmmerical
Need a commercial produced? We've got you covered!We'll craft a perfect commercial for your business to be used during the event and send it to you to be used on your social media pages. You also get the benefit of your ad being played during pre-show and intermissions.
Naming Rights
Naming rights, a perk only available to our top two tiers: Platinum A-Lister and After-Party Sponsors.Placement entails verbal and visual acknowledgments.
Platinum A-Lister Tier Perk
With this exclusive perk, sponsors have the opportunity to name the following areas on a first-come, first-served basis with designations such as "Sponsored by," and “Riptide Film Festival __ Block presented by [Your Brand]," on press releases, sponsor boards, and all major promotions.VIP AreaHigh School Programming BlockIndie Filmmakers Block
After-Party Sponsor Tier Perk
With this 1 of 1 exclusive perk, sponsors have the opportunity to name the After-Party with designations such as "Sponsored by" or "“Riptide Film Festival After-Party presented by [Your Brand]."
Digital Program Ad Sizes
All tiers have access to this perk, but ad sizes vary tier to tier.Have an ad suitable for a program? Choose one of the options below that best fit your ad and business' needs.Need an ad designed? Please send us an email to discuss options and additional rates.
Attendee Demographics
Location: South Bay, Southern California, and the Greater Los Angeles AreaAge Range: 18-45 (Gen Z & Millennial audience), 45-60Interests: Independent film, Art and Culture, Community ExperiencesGender Split: Males 55% and Females 45%Characteristics: Educated and Creative
Foot Traffic
1000*
*Venue seats 500. Event consists of two screening blocks.
Media Metrics
2.5k Social Media Audience Across All Platforms*8.85% Engagement Rate on Instagram**10k+ Impressions on Instagram***
**Platforms Included: Riptide Films, Aureate Productions, Evol Dog Productions, and organizer profiles)**Engagement Rate: Percentage of audience interactions (likes, comments, shares, saves) relative to followers—above 3% is strong, and below 1% is low.***Impressions: Total number of times your content is displayed, regardless of whether it was clicked or engaged with.
Tips for a success
Secure your spot early! Some tiers are limited.Choose a sponsorship tier that aligns with your brand.Schedule a call or meeting with our sponsorship team to learn more, before the deadline.Contact our sponsorship team, by clicking "Contact Us."
Contact Us - Schedule a call or meeting with our sponsorship team to learn more, before the deadline.Take a peek at some of our team's previous Social Media Content Samples to see what you can benefit from as a Sponsor.
Social media Content samples
Explore our content samples to see the quality, creativity, and impact your sponsorship helps bring to life.Click below to preview our work!
Contact Us - Schedule a call or meeting with our sponsorship team to learn more, before the deadline.
Support the event and the future of film!
Join us in celebrating creativity, innovation, and the next generation of storytellers. The Riptide Film Festival brings together passionate filmmakers, industry professionals, and film lovers for a one-of-a-kind cinematic experience—where fresh voices shine and bold ideas take center stage.By becoming a sponsor, you’re not just supporting an event—you’re investing in the arts, in local talent, and in the power of storytelling. Your partnership helps us provide emerging filmmakers with a platform to share their work, connect with audiences, and take their careers to new heights.
How to become a sponsor
Our Sponsors – Meet the incredible businesses and organizations already making this festival possible.
Sponsor Guide – Discover the benefits of sponsorship and how your brand can be a part of this exciting festival.
Social Media Content Samples - Preview a perk of sponsorship.
Contact Us - Schedule a call or meeting with our sponsorship team to learn more.
Deadlines
Sponsor Commitment Deadline: April 25, 2025Sponsor Payment Deadline:
May 23, 2025
Sponsorship Tiers PDF
A downloadable brochure with Sponsor tiers.
Sponsorship Fact Sheet PDF
A downloadable sponsor fact sheet, on demographics and attendee profiles
for survey, demographic, film submissions, screeners applications, and personal data for Riptide Film Festival page
Effective Date: April 7th, 2025Riptide Film Festival | Torrance, California, USARiptide Film Festival ("we," "our," or "us") is committed to respecting your privacy and safeguarding your personal information.This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your data through our submission platforms, surveys, social media, and communications-including FilmFreeway, Gmail, Instagram, and Google Forms.1. Information We Collect
We may collect and store the following types of information:A. Personal Information
- Full name
- Email address
- Phone number
- School affiliation (for students)
- Mailing address (if applicable)
- Social media handles (if applicable)B. Demographic Information (optional)
- Age or age range
- Gender identity
- Race/Ethnicity
- Other voluntary identity-based dataC. Film Submission Details
Collected via FilmFreeway or forms:
- Film title and synopsis
- Director, producer, and crew bios
- Screening links and video files
- Posters, stills, press kits
- Release forms and permissions
- Production year, genre, and duration
-Student Status
More information is collected within reason.D. Survey & Feedback Data
Collected via Google Forms or similar tools:
- Opinions about the festival experience
- Suggestions for improvement
- Accessibility or inclusion needs
- Community engagement inputE. How We Use Your Information
We use the information you provide to:
- Process and review film submissions
- Communicate event updates and screening information
- Program festival selections and schedule
- Analyze survey feedback and improve the event
- Report anonymized demographics for funding, outreach, or grant purposes
- Promote selected films and filmmakers (with credit and consent)F. Sharing and Disclosure
We do not sell or rent your personal information. Data may be shared with:
- Festival organizers, staff, and judges (for review and planning)
- Trusted third-party platforms (e.g., FilmFreeway, Google Forms, Gmail)
- Partners, sponsors, or granting organizations (in aggregated or anonymized formats only)G. Data Security
We take reasonable steps to ensure your data is protected from unauthorized access or disclosure. However, no internet-based service is 100% secure. Submitting information is at your own discretion and risk.H. Data Retention
We retain your data only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy. After the conclusion of the festival, only email addresses and non-identifiable demographic data may be stored for internal use, future festival updates, or grant reporting. All other personally identifiable information will be deleted.
Submission and survey data may be archived for programming records, internal research, or future festival planning.I. Social Media and Third-Party Links
Our pages on Instagram (@riptidefilmfest). Website (riptidefilmfest.com) or external links (e.g., YouTube, FilmFreeway) may lead to third-party sites not controlled by us. Please review their individual privacy policies for more information.J. Youth and Student Submissions
For high school submissions, teacher or school representative verification may be required.K. Updates to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted here and noted with a revised effective date.Contact Us
For questions about this Privacy Policy or your personal data, please contact us via email.
Volunteer
Coming Soon
Interested in sponsoring the event? Providing media coverage or media/press opportunities?Want to ask us a question about the festival or submissions?Fill the form out below or email us.
