presents
RETURNING October 17th, 2026James R. Armstrong TheatreTorrance, CA
Experience a Night at the Movies Like Never Before!
Experience a night at the movies like never before! This exclusive showcase brings together a curated selection of boundary-pushing, up-and-coming independent filmmakers across California, presenting bold, cinematic works that command the big screen.
Celebrate Local Talent &
Independent Cinema!
Join film lovers and industry insiders for an evening of striking storytelling, artistic risk, and unforgettable visuals. Then, at the end of the night, find out who will take home the distinguished awards honoring the festival’s most exceptional films!
Upgrade to the Full Festival Experience!
Take advantage of admission to all screenings with one simple festival ticket. Or enjoy the full, red-carpet experience with our VIP Festival Pass, offering the complete experience with unique benefits like professional red carpet photos, early seating, and a chance to network with filmmakers and film-lovers alike in our VIP lounge. Come see Hollywood take root in Torrance!

ReD Carpet Photos
Download and share, make sure to tag @riptidefilmfest to be featured on our page!
our Digital Program
Relieve the action. Flip through our digital program.

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.As a bold alternative to traditional film and television, we champion 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.
Volunteer screener application
Applications are officially opened!
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.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 joining 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 Completion (at request)See festival selections before anyone else!Network with indie filmmakers & gain festival experiencePlease note, we are unable to provide academic or internship credit.
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.

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 the link below.
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
Naming Rights
Naming rights, a perk only available to our top tiers.Placement entails verbal and visual acknowledgments.
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.Sponsor Intake Form & Payment Options - Ready to become a sponsor? Fill out the form to help us get to know you and your business. Payment information included.
Become a sponsor for the Riptide Film Festival
A cinematic brand campaign
built around a live cultural moment.
The Riptide Film Festival combines a live theater audience, cinematic brand storytelling, and long-term campaign assets into one integrated experience.Sponsors don’t just appear at the festival — they become part of its cultural environment.
Brands already spend $5K–$15K on campaigns.
Riptide turns that same investment into a:
*Cinematic brand film
*Live audience premiere
*Long-term content for social media & beyond
Unlike traditional sponsorship, this is audience alignment, cultural positioning, and commercial storytelling in one system.
Past Sponsor content samples
Submit Your Interest
In sponsoring the 2026 festival!
If you want to hear more or are unsure what the best tier is to select for your business, submit the form below.Upon completion of the form below, a member of our sponsorship team will call you to discuss options.
Ready to become a sponsor?
Check out...
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 the best part of being a sponsor.
Contact Us - Schedule a call or meeting with our sponsorship team to learn more.
Sponsor intake form
Thank you so much for becoming a sponsor this year!If any of the embedded form features do not work, please use the link provided below.
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
Volunteer
Be a part of making waves with the breakout Riptide Film Festival! As a volunteer, you’ll play a key role in helping the event run smoothly, ensuring a top-tier experience for guests, filmmakers, and industry professionals. In return, you'll gain hands-on experience, exclusive perks, and a front-row seat to the Riptide Film Festival.Whether you're passionate about film, interested in event production, or just love being in the energy of a creative community, there’s a spot for you on our team!We recommend signing up for at least one full shift, but multiple shifts are welcome (and appreciated!). Indicate your top two team preferences on the form. Final placements will be confirmed by the Riptide Team based on availability and event needs.
Ideal Volunteers
Positive and professional attitude
Reliable and punctual
Team player with great communication
Interest in film, media, events, or entertainment
Volunteer Perks
Complimentary GA access to the festival outside of your shift (Festival Operations Team Only)
Exclusive access to the volunteer green room + private crafty
Networking opportunities with industry professionals & filmmakers
Complimentary After-party ticket (Clean-Up Team only)We are unable to grant academic and internship credit. But we are able to write a signed letter with your hours listed.
Volunteer Teams
Festival Operations
Be the friendly face and strong support that helps our festival run smoothly. You’ll work with our core staff to manage crowd flow, help seat attendees, answer questions, and ensure a seamless experience from start to finish.Duties Include:Greeting and checking in guests
Assisting with seating and venue transitions
Managing line flow and general admission entry
Supporting special guests with green room and backstage accessAvailable Shifts:10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Clean Up Crew
Help us close out the festival strong. This shift is short but mighty. Volunteers will help restore the venue to its original condition, including clean-up of trash, breakdown of decorations, and packing up equipment.Duties Include:Collecting trash and recycling
Assisting with the breakdown of event materials
Sweeping and organizing event spaces
Clean-Up volunteers receive a FREE ticket to the After Party!Available Shift:10:00 PM – 11:30 PM (shift may run shorter)
Contact Us
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.








