ABOUT US

     The Los Angeles Diversity Film Festival is a 501(c) non-profit dedicated to uplifting underrepresented voices and stories. At LADFF, we believe that cinematic storytelling has the power to heal, change perspectives, and open hearts. We believe it because we see it happen at our festival every year. 

     LADFF prides itself on its superb and eclectic programming, bringing filmmakers and audiences from diverse backgrounds under one roof and a single beam of light to learn more about each other, and more about ourselves. 

     LADFF was founded in 2014 by filmmaker and educator Hollis McLachlan.   Since 2017, LADFF has been helmed by Festival Director Sonja Mereu and Lead Programmer Nicholas Paul Ybarra. 

     LADFF champions films that uplift, inspire and inform.  The festival encourages filmmakers to submit films that highlight the following, in front and/or behind the camera:

• LGBTQ+ people

• People with disabilities

• Female filmmakers

• The aging population 

• Youth in cinema

• Immigrant/refugee populations

• Religious diversity

• Racial/ethnic diversity

• “Non-traditional” family structures