The KTOWN International Film Festival (KTOWN IFF) celebrated its inaugural Opening Gala and Awards Show on September 5 at the historic Gardena Cinema, drawing more than 400 attendees and bringing together international filmmakers, Hollywood industry leaders, educators, students, musicians, civic leaders, and the community.
The inaugural festival received more than 1,200 film submissions from 91 countries, including films recognized by major international festivals and official submissions for the Academy Awards.
Gardena Mayor Tasha Cerda attended the gala and presented an official City of Gardena Certificate of Recognition to KTOWN IFF, recognizing the festival’s contributions to film, arts, education, culture, and community engagement.
Larry Namer, co-founder of E! Entertainment Television received the Lifetime Achievement Award in Cinema, while Leah Clapman, Executive Director of PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs, received the Lifetime Achievement Award in Education.
Also attending were Superman producer Ilya Salkind, acclaimed filmmaker Michael Schultz, cinema technology pioneer Dr. Barry Sandrew, and veteran actor Richard Riehle.
KTOWN IFF established permanent Signature Awards honoring these industry and education leaders, including the Ilya Salkind Best Feature Film Award, Michael Schultz Best Actor Award, Dr. Barry Sandrew Cinema Innovation Award, Richard Riehle Rising Star Award, Larry Namer AI Films for Humanity Award, Leah Clapman Young Storyteller Award, and KSRI Education Award – Dr. Eunice Kang.
Major festival winners included “The Fox King,” directed by Woo Ming Jin; “A House Named Shahana,” directed by Leesa Gazi; “Burn,” directed by Makoto Nagahisa; “Vox Humana,” directed by Don Josephus and Raphael Eblahan; “A Magnificent Life,” directed by Sylvain Chomet; “Como si la tierra se las hubiera tragado,” directed by Natalia León; and “Paper Daughter,” directed by Cami Kwan.
AI filmmaking honors included “Cambria: Guardian of the Last Light,” directed by Pierre-Luc Desy; “OPEN THE DOOR,” directed by Riccardo Gabrielli; “Royal Mail – The Wanderer,” directed by Mike Bennion; and “The First Line,” directed by Kang Kim.
Performance honors included Robert Miano, recipient of the Michael Schultz Best Actor Award for Animal, as well as Nana Mori for Burn and Yang Mal-Bok for Manok.
The gala featured live performances by Berklee College of Music students Zach Chang-Otane, Roah Hyebhin Nho, and Hannah Mahboubi.
Education was also central to the festival, with participation from Vanguard University and Westcliff University, along with a Special Student Animation Showcase featuring emerging filmmakers from CalArts, USC, Chapman University, California State University Long Beach, and ArtCenter College of Design.
Vanguard University students participating in Women’s Voices Now projects were also recognized during the gala for their accomplishments in storytelling and their festival experience.
“We are extremely thrilled to have so many schools and students participate,” said Paul Rivas, one of the Festival Directors of KTOWN IFF. “Our festival is about connecting students with filmmakers and industry professionals and providing meaningful opportunities. Selected films will continue to be screened throughout the year at Gardena Cinema and at participating schools and colleges, with directors and filmmakers invited to meet students and share their experiences.”
KTOWN IFF Founder and President Christopher HK Lee added: “KTOWN IFF is much more than one evening. We want to honor accomplished professionals while giving students and emerging artists opportunities to showcase their work, perform, learn, and build meaningful relationships. Bringing Hollywood legends, international filmmakers, educators, students, and our community together is exactly why we created this festival.”
KTOWN IFF will continue throughout the year with film screenings, filmmaker discussions, educational programs, university partnerships, student projects, mentorship, and collaborations with entertainment and technology professionals.
The KTOWN International Film Festival is a Los Angeles-based nonprofit organization connecting filmmakers, students, educators, industry professionals, and communities through film, education, culture, and emerging technologies.
For the complete list of 2026 selections and award recipients, visit KTOWN IFF 2026 Selections & Awards. ktowniff.org
