What do we do
Catalina Film Institute
As a California non-profit public benefit corporation, the Catalina Film Institute champions imagination, education, and destination through film. In practice, we support storytellers with year-round experiences, industry conversations, and community-driven events.
Led by film industry professionals, the Institute celebrates the creative process and the people behind it. At the same time, our work helps filmmakers and new-media creators grow, while promoting film as an art form, from development and production to distribution.
Southern California outreach
Across Southern California, our outreach delivers hands-on, education-based events and workshops in collaboration with like-minded organizations. As a result, students, professionals, and film enthusiasts can connect, learn, and contribute.
With deep passion for our namesake island, Catalina, we also support the local community and its off-season economy. In doing so, we celebrate the island’s charitable organizations, residents, and long-standing film history.
Catalina Film Festival
Recognized by MovieMaker Magazine as one of the 2022 “Top 50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee” (worldwide), Catalina Film Festival (CFF) has also ranked in FilmFreeway.com’s Top 25-40 “Best Reviewed Festivals” (out of 10,000+ festivals worldwide) for nearly a decade.
Each year, the Catalina Film Institute presents CFF as a celebration of film on the only California coast resort island. In addition to 200+ films, the festival features nightly events and industry networking, set against Catalina’s clear blue water and coastal breezes, just 22 miles off the coast of Los Angeles.
Long Beach Launch
On the mainland, our connecting city is Long Beach. There, the historic 1924 Scottish Rite Cultural Centre serves as our headquarters and a landmark art deco venue with an iconic 800-seat theatre. Notably, it was built by the same masons behind the Avalon Theatre, so the two share architectural style and elegance.
Catalina Film Institute Presents: Korea
Catalina Film Institute is expanding its international outreach through Catalina Film Institute Presents: Korea, a new initiative created to strengthen cultural exchange and spotlight outstanding Korean cinema.
Yoo Yeol Park, Founding Director, Catalina Film Institute Presents: Korea, will lead relationships with filmmakers, universities, and cultural partners in Korea, with the goal of introducing new voices and films to the Catalina Film Institute and the Catalina Film Festival, while exploring future educational programs, seminars, and curated screenings in Korea.
As this collaboration develops, we will share updates and opportunities to participate.
Since 2011…
Screenings on Catalina
Across Catalina Island, films are screened at multiple venues, including the iconic Avalon Theatre, an art deco landmark and the world’s first sound theatre, with 1,200 seats.
Meanwhile, Catalina Film Festival remains a competitive festival with awards in up to 11 categories, as well as prestigious industry honors.
Platform
Overall, our platform is built on education, art, and entertainment. Equally important, we support local charities and the Southern California and Catalina Island economy, especially during the off-season.
Through independent screenings and community events, we celebrate a wide spectrum of filmmaking, including:
• feature films
• documentaries
• screenplays
• animation
• short films
• horror
• student work
Finally, we spotlight a dedicated conservation series, honoring filmmakers whose work supports protecting, restoring, and experiencing the power of nature.