Film Festival
Explore the Schedule
Driven by the desire to showcase Compton as a hub of creativity and talent
Sat June 20, 2026 Schedule
8:30 am-until
Registration- Location: Compton Film festival Corridor
9:00 am-12:00 pm
Screening of Winning films (Instructional Building 2/IB2)
11:00 am-12:00 pm
Ambassador Limelight: A Conversation with J. Snow (Main Room)
J. Snow (stand- up comedian/writer) Moderator: Watts Homie Quan, (comedian, music artist) Compton Film Festival Ambassador Jared “J.” Snow joins us for a special conversation about his journey as a filmmaker, comedian, and writer whose work explores resilience, identity, community, and storytelling through humor and emotional truth.
12:05 - 1:00pm
Honoring Excellence in Animation: A Community Conversation with Shabrayia B. Cleaver (Main Room) Moderator: Natalie Speech, (Producer/Curator)
Honoring Excellence in Animation: A Community Conversation with Shabrayia B. Cleaver spotlights award-winning Los Angeles-based animation producer Shabrayia B. Cleaver and her work on the DreamWorks short film Wednesdays with Gramps. The program will include a screening of the 9-minute animated short, an intro reel of Shabrayia’s credits, and a moderated conversation with community Q&A about animation, representation, producing, and behind- the-scenes career pathways.
1:10 pm-2:00pm
The Spotlight Session with Ciera Angelia. (Main Room)
Moderator: Rhonda Harper (Surfer Coach, Filmmaker)
We are honored to welcome actress, writer, and producer Ciera Angelia to our stage for “The Spotlight Session.” Known for her standout roles in Sisters and Empire, Ciera brings a wealth of knowledge as both a performer and a creator.
2:10pm-3:10pm
Behind the Scenes, Beyond the Spotlight: Real Careers That Make Productions Work (Main Room) Moderator: Anise Fuller
Alysia Allen, Art Coordinator, Trey Bellows Jr, Production Coordinator, Sandy Christmas (Retired Associate Director Walt Disney/ABC-TV On-Air Promotion Department), Shantel Turner, Production Accountant, Terry (TMack) Mack, Teamster, Special Effects, Warren Alan Young, Production Designer
Behind the Scenes, Beyond the Spotlight: Real Careers That Make Productions Work introduces students, emerging filmmakers, and community members to essential behind-the-camera careers in film and television. Featuring professionals in production accounting, art department coordination, production coordination, transportation, special effect, and production design.
This panel will explore what these roles do, why they matter, and how new creatives can begin building careers behind the scenes.
3:15 pm-4:05pm
Our Stories, Our Lens: BADWest and the Power of Documentary Film (Main Room): Moderator: Joyce Guy (Actor and Chair of BADWest)
Ife Olatunji (Filmmaker and Critic BADWest Admin), Earnest Winborne (Emmy Award winning Television producer, director and Content Consultant), Andre Campbell (Director, Author and Producer)
Our Stories, Our Lens: BADWest and the Power of Documentary Film, brings BADWest’s leadership into conversation about documentary filmmaking, legacy, truth-telling, and the power of preserving community stories. This panel offers filmmakers and audiences practical insight into why documentaries matter and how our stories can be told with purpose, care, and impact.
4:05pm-4:15pm
Assemblyman Mike A. Gipson, 65th Assembly District
4:15 pm-5:05pm
Icon Award Spotlight: Omar Benson Miller Q&A (Main Room)
Moderator: Fuzzy Fantabulous, (Entertainment Veteran/ “The Connector”)
NAACP Image Award-nominated actor, producer, host, and voice artist Omar Benson Miller receives the Icon Award and joins the community for a special Q&A about his career in film, television, animation, sports media, and storytelling. This conversation will highlight his creative journey, career lessons, and impact across entertainment.
5:10pm
Screening: Saturday Feature Film Show SINNERS Rated R
Sun June 21, 2026 Schedule (Fathers’ Day)
8:30am-until
Registration- Location: Compton Film festival Corridor
9:00am-12:00pm
Continuous Screening of Winning films (Instructional Building 2)
10:00am-10:50am
From Comics to Animation: Building Bold Worlds and Heroic Stories
Panelist: Phil Victor Colon (Comic & Animation Writer, Director), Ray-Anthony Height (Comic Writer, Character Designer) Moderator: Eric T. Elder (Founder of OW Entertainment)
From Comics to Animation: Building Bold Worlds and Heroic Stories: A conversation on comic art, animation, superheroes, and creating stories that speak to the next generation. This panel will inspire young artists, filmmakers, animators, and storytellers to understand how ideas can grow from the page to the screen.
11:00am-12:20pm
Like Father, Like Film: A Producer’s Legacy Across Generations (Main Room) Moderator: Phil Moore (Content/Challenge Producer/Host)
Oz Scott (Father, Director): Ozzie Scott (Producer, Production Supervisor), Brittany Scott- Smith Director, Producer and Writer), Frank Dawson (Father, Producer and Writer): Rahem Dawson (Senior Director of Creative Advertising International)
Like Father, Like Film: A Producer’s Legacy Across Generations: This special Father’s Day conversation brings together a multigenerational family of filmmakers to explore how storytelling, leadership, and creative vision are passed down and reimagined across time. From hard-earned lessons to evolving industry realities, this panel highlights the power of mentorship, legacy, and building a sustainable career in film. Join us for an inspiring discussion on family, craft, and the enduring impact of TV and Filmmakers shape the culture together.
12:30pm-1:30pm
Distribution Decoded: Rights, Revenue & Reach (Main):
Moderator: Sharon Glancz (Entertainment Attorney), Anita Johnson (Global Insights Strategist), Kristen Johnson, (Business Affairs, Film Attorney)
You finished your film now what? This essential industry conversation breaks down how movies move from festival premieres to global platforms. Featuring a Senior Director of Global Insights Strategist), a TV Syndication Attorney, and a Film Contracts Attorney, this panel demystifies rights, revenue structures, and the legal realities of distribution. Designed for young filmmakers and emerging creatives, this session equips you with the knowledge to protect your work, negotiate wisely, and build long-term value from your films.
1:30pm-2:30pm
The Blueprint: From Script to Screen: Film Panel: Gloria Brown (Director) Michelle Flowers (Writer/Reasonable Doubt) Lance Crouther (Television Writer and Actor) Moderator: Domnic Lewis (Filmmaker),
The Blueprint: From Script to Screen,” featuring a trio of industry heavyweights: Join us as we explore the journey of storytelling from the writer’s room to the director’s final edit. Our guests will share their personal experiences, professional challenges, and advice for those looking to build their own path in film and television,
2:40 pm-3:30pm
Faith on Film: Stories That Inspire, Heal, and Uplift
Panelist: Bishop Earnest Johnson Pastor, filmmaker, Jean Liu Christen, 8C Entertainment- producer, (Main Room) Moderator: Jasmine Harper-Davis
Faith on Film: Stories That Inspire, Heal & Uplift: This powerful conversation explores the impact of faith-based storytelling in film and media. Featuring Jean Liu Christen and Bishop Ernest Johnson, the panel will examine how purpose driven films can strengthen families, encourage communities, and bring messages of hope to audiences. Panelists will also discuss authenticity, audience connection, spiritual responsibility, and the importance of creating faith centered content that is both inspiring and professionally produced. Designed for filmmakers, students, faith leaders, and community members, this session highlights how stories rooted in faith can move culture with excellence and intention.
3:40p-5:00pm
Heart of Compton Screening & Q&A with Isabel Rose Soloaga (Director) and The Compton Cowboys (Equestrian/ community mentors)
Moderator: Anita Johnson (Global Insights Strategist)
This special screening of Heart of Compton highlights the legacy of the Compton Cowboys, the Black women who helped build the Compton Jr. Equestrians, and the power of horses, mentorship, and community to create new possibilities for South L.A. youth.
Following the film, director Isabel Salaj and members of the Compton Cowboys will join the audience for a Q&A about the making of the documentary, Compton’s equestrian legacy, and how the story challenges stereotypes while celebrating Black pride, healing, and possibility.
5:15pm
Closing Ceremony Sunday – Film Awards
Closing Ceremony Sunday – Awards TBA
