The 22nd annual LA Femme International Film Festival is set to welcome global cinema enthusiasts, industry professionals, and animation fans as it returns for its multi-day celebration of women creators. Running from October 22 through October 25 at the Regal Cinemas Sherman Oaks Galleria in Los Angeles, the prestigious event highlights the indispensable contributions of female producers, writers, and directors to the global entertainment landscape. Among the festival’s most anticipated programming blocks is the animated shorts competition, which has secured prominent sponsorship from renowned Japanese studio TMS Entertainment. The showcase is scheduled to screen on Saturday, October 24, starting at 2:00 p.m., offering audiences a diverse array of narrative and stylistic visions from international talents.
The centerpiece of the TMS Entertainment-sponsored animation block is a special screening celebrating the 10th anniversary of the beloved anime series Bananya. To mark the milestone, veteran anime producer Masako Iwata is traveling from Japan to attend the festival in person. The commemorative Bananya episode will compete directly alongside a curated selection of international animated shorts. This inclusion bridges traditional television anime production with the independent short film circuit, giving festivalgoers a unique opportunity to experience mainstream Japanese character animation within a festival environment.
Chronology and Festival Timeline
The four-day festival follows a carefully structured schedule designed to maximize networking, professional development, and public screenings. The event opens on October 22 with feature film premieres, panel discussions, and workshops led by prominent figures in film and television production. Over the subsequent days, genre-specific blocks—including documentaries, narrative features, and specialized short film showcases—take center stage.
The highlight for animation enthusiasts occurs on Saturday, October 24, at 2:00 p.m. with the animated shorts competition. This designated block not only showcases the competitive slate of independent projects but also features the special 10th-anniversary screening of Bananya, followed by potential Q&A and networking opportunities with international creators like Iwata. The festival concludes on October 25 with closing ceremonies, industry awards recognizing outstanding achievements by women in cinema, and final screenings.
The World of Bananya and TMS Entertainment’s Legacy
Bananya follows the whimsical adventures of magical kittens who reside inside bananas, leading secret, playful lives in ordinary human households when no one is watching. The series captures their explorations, mischief, and camaraderie, driven primarily by the titular character’s ultimate dream: to bathe in a luxurious pool of liquid chocolate alongside all his banana cat companions. Following its initial success, the franchise expanded significantly, returning for a second season on Crunchyroll featuring more than 20 new characters and broadening its whimsical lore.
The presence of producer Masako Iwata underscores TMS Entertainment’s commitment to supporting global outreach and celebrating creative milestones. Iwata’s career in the anime industry began within TMS Entertainment’s story development department, where she contributed to critically acclaimed and commercially successful series such as Kamisama Kiss, Fruits Basket, and HIGH CARD. Her comprehensive industry footprint includes penning episode scripts and composing opening theme lyrics. Currently, Iwata is lending her expertise to Netflix’s Baki-Dou while simultaneously spearheading the development of two upcoming anime projects for TMS.
As one of Japan’s largest and most historically significant anime production houses, TMS Entertainment boasts an immense institutional library containing more than 13,000 episodes spanning over 500 distinct titles. The studio’s catalog features globally recognized franchises that have defined generations of animation, including Detective Conan, Lupin the 3rd, Dr. Stone, and Sakamoto Days. By sponsoring the LA Femme animated shorts competition, TMS reinforces its dedication to fostering diverse storytelling voices and engaging with international film communities.
Global Lineup of the Animated Shorts Competition
The competitive slate supported by TMS Entertainment features a diverse assembly of international directors, writers, and producers, reflecting LA Femme’s core mission of elevating women in media from all corners of the globe.
Among the selected works is A Bird’s Wish, directed by Swiss filmmaker Gan de Lange, which brings European artistic sensibilities to the program. The documentary-style animated short The Sweepers: Laurie Poons Interview is directed by Marge Dean, bringing her extensive industry expertise to the forefront. Representing South America, Brazilian filmmaker Viva Cidade presents Viva City, infusing the lineup with vibrant cultural perspectives.
The selection also includes Tetanus, directed by Seoyoung Jeon, and Alienated, directed by Dylan Womack. Narrative depth is further provided by The Escort, directed by Rick Williamson and written and produced by Regina Redwing. Braving the Night, a compelling short directed by Joshua Kushner and Luisa G. Carranza, joins the lineup following its premiere at the prestigious HollyShorts Film Festival earlier in the year. Rounding out the competitive blocks are Goodnight Goodnight, directed by Kiki Callaghan, and Sana Lee’s Sanjupalia, directed by South Korean filmmaker Jin-hwa Lee.
Background and Evolution of the LA Femme International Film Festival
Now celebrating its 22nd year, the LA Femme International Film Festival has established itself as a vital institution for gender parity and creative recognition in the entertainment industry. Founded to combat historical disparities in Hollywood greenlights and executive leadership roles, the festival provides a dedicated platform for women producers, writers, and directors to screen their work, secure distribution, and build sustainable professional networks.
Over its two-decade history, the festival has expanded its scope to encompass multiple genres, bridging the gap between independent arthouse cinema and commercial entertainment. By incorporating dedicated animation showcases, LA Femme acknowledges the rapidly growing influence of women creators within the animation sector—an industry historically dominated by male leadership. Collaborations with major global studios like TMS Entertainment further validate the festival’s growing prestige and its ability to attract top-tier international industry talent.
Industry Implications and Broader Impact
The partnership between a major legacy anime studio like TMS Entertainment and a female-centric film festival highlights a broader shift toward inclusivity and cross-cultural exchange within the entertainment landscape. As streaming platforms and global distribution networks demand a higher volume of diverse content, festivals like LA Femme serve as essential incubators for fresh perspectives and innovative storytelling techniques.
Industry analysts note that corporate sponsorships from established powerhouses provide independent shorts and emerging female creators with crucial visibility, bridging the gap between grassroots filmmaking and international markets. Furthermore, the inclusion of cross-over programming—such as the 10th-anniversary celebration of Bananya alongside indie shorts—demonstrates how family-friendly and character-driven animation can successfully intersect with high-brow festival curation.
Ticketing, Venue Information, and Access
The 22nd LA Femme International Film Festival takes place at the Regal Cinemas Sherman Oaks Galleria, located at 15301 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403. The venue offers state-of-the-art projection and sound facilities, ensuring optimal presentation for both independent shorts and high-definition anime screenings.
Tickets, daily passes, and full-festival credentials are currently available for purchase through the festival’s official online platform hosted on Eventive. Comprehensive schedules, panel details, and filmmaker bios can be accessed via the official LA Femme International Film Festival website. Through continued support from sponsors like TMS Entertainment, the festival remains a cornerstone for advancing women’s voices in cinema well into the future.
