Category: Festival

GLENDALE PARADISE in LA

I am happy that GLENDALE PARADISE will finally screen in Los Angeles for the first time on May 12th at the European Short Film Night. The program starts at 6 pm and is organized by the Italian Cultural Institute in Los Angeles, in cooperation with the Consulates of Austria, Belgium, and Poland, as well as the Goethe-Institut and the Instituto Cervantes. 

This special program brings together a curated selection of short films from Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, and Spain, offering a snapshot of today’s European storytelling. Each film engages with the theme of truth, moving across genres and aesthetics to reflect the diversity, creativity, and shared cultural dialogue that shape Europe today. The screening will be followed by a conversation with experts from the film and cultural sectors, and will continue with a reception featuring national specialties from the participating countries.

This evening is part of a European Short Film Series presented by the EUNIC Cluster in Los Angeles.

FOREVER AFTER IN LOVE screened at HollyShorts Comedy

I had a great time at the 10th annual HollyShorts Comedy Film Festival, and FOREVER AFTER IN LOVE was well received, with laughter and applause. 🤣 This was the second time HollyShorts screened one of my comedies, and I truly appreciate their support for independent filmmakers.

 

FOREVER AFTER IN LOVE back in LA

I am very happy to see FOREVER AFTER IN LOVE again on the big screen in Los Angeles. The HollyShorts Comedy Film Festival will screen our fun little short on Saturday, May 2nd at 2:30 pm in the Rom Com section. The festival will take place at LOOK Cinemas in Glendale. If you haven’t seen it on the big screen, come join us. Tickets are available on Eventive.

The HollyShorts Comedy Film Festival highlights short comedy, web series, TV episodic, comedy screenplays, and dark comedy shorts, with the goal of screening the best comedic content from around the world for a Hollywood industry audience, as well as streaming on Bitpix for three days of screenings, filmmaker Q&As, panels, parties, and the awards party.

GRAMPS in Chile

I am very excited that Fixion Fest will screen GAMPS on April 23rd in Cortos USA/Canadá (2) at the Waldo Orellana Cultural Center in Santiago de Chile.

Fixion Fest (A.K.A. FIXION-SARS) is Chile’s first fantastic and horror film festival. Now in its tenth edition, it showcases standout genre films from Chile, Latin America, and around the world, alongside a range of curated sections and events.

GRAMPS in Chicago

GRAMPS is not dead yet and will screen in Chicago on February 5th at the Big Teeth Small Short Film Festival.

The Big Teeth Small Shorts Film Fest is all about very short filmmaking, micro-shorts and small shorts under five minutes, and championing filmmakers who believe in concise, bold storytelling. Doors open at 7 pm at the Facets Theater in Chicago.

The festival began as a 60-second film fest in 2015 and has since grown into a semi-annual event in Chicago, while staying true to its short-form focus. Every submission is carefully reviewed, and the selected films screen live, judged by a jury of industry professionals seeking strong ideas, creativity, and craft.

FOREVER AFTER IN LOVE screened at Borrego Springs Film festival 2026

I had an amazing time at the Borrego Springs Film Festival. Thank you very much for screening FOREVER AFTER IN LOVE. The film was well received in a full theater, and we were in great company with the incredible films screened over the four days.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FOREVER AFTER IN LOVE in Borrego Springs

Erik Nothstein, Danielle TitusI am ecstatic that FOREVER AFTER IN LOVE screens in Borrego Springs and returns to sunny California after a short visit to the snowy mountains of Alaska.
Our comedy will screen on Sunday, January 18th at 10 am in the Shorts Block M at the Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center. Take a nice road trip through the California Desert and join us if you can and read my interview here.

The Borrego Springs Film Festival (BSFF) is a community-driven, old-school-style festival with single-venue screenings, strong local turnout, and an inviting atmosphere where filmmakers and residents naturally mingle.

The festival features an opening gala, networking events, a Saturday party, panels, workshops, hangouts, and an award ceremony, including the Laara Award for the most inspirational film. Each year BSFF showcases about 70-80 independent-spirited films, all personally reviewed by local Borregans, giving it a warm grassroots feel.

Set in the beautiful desert town of Borrego Springs, CA, surrounded by mid-century neighborhoods, vintage trailers, and desert charm, the festival offers genuine hospitality for filmmakers at any stage of their career.

And yes, everyone talks about the homemade cookies. I’m curious to try them. Join me if you’re around.

GRAMPS in Mumbai

GRAMPS will have its Asian Premiere at the Dark Scream Film Festival in Mumbai on Saturday, December 21, 2025, in Program 5 from 2:00–3:30 PM at the Veda Black Box.

The Dark Scream Film Festival loves horror and is genuinely excited to watch what filmmakers create. They are an international festival with a global jury of genre experts, multiple award categories, and free submissions to keep it accessible to everyone. They proudly champion bold visions, support the challenges behind them, and bring standout horror films to a highly appreciative audience.

I would love to attend—I really loved Mumbai when I taught for two months at NYFA India back in 2018—but hopefully I’ll return another time. If you’re around, check out the screening.

FOREVER AFTER IN LOVE in Anchorage

I am so happy that the FOREVER AFTER IN LOVE warms up the Anchorage International Film Festival. The screening will be in the comedy shorts block on December 11th at 2.30 pm at the Anchorage Museum.

Celebrating its 25th year, the Anchorage International Film Festival (AIFF) is Alaska’s largest and most distinctive film event – a creative adventure built by filmmakers, for filmmakers. Set on Denai’na land, AIFF unfolds across four venues, with the iconic Bear Tooth Theatre as its main stage, where audiences enjoy great films, craft drinks, and food. Beyond the screenings, the festival offers unforgettable Alaskan excursions and a vibrant community experience that fuels creativity and connection.

Erik Nothstein

 

SPENT in Los Angeles

After nearly two decades, SPENT screens in LA again on December 13th & 14th at Regal LA Live as part of the 31st Annual S.E. Manly African American Short Film Festival. It will be shown twice in the BHERC Classics (A) section:

Saturday: 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM
Sunday: 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM

I am so proud to be part of this project and grateful that I had the opportunity to direct SPENT as my second AFI thesis film — especially a short that still feels as relevant today as ever.

The Black Hollywood Education and Resource Center (BHERC) proudly presents the S.E. Manly African American Short Film Showcase, a long-running platform for groundbreaking storytellers since 1994. Featuring documentaries and short films from both emerging and established filmmakers, the showcase highlights diverse voices, innovative storytelling, and a wide range of themes, from humor and drama to real-world issues. Each year, the community is invited to celebrate the artistry and impact of African American filmmakers across film, television, and digital media.