About the Organizer

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Torrance Cultural Arts Foundation (TOCA)

The shared vision of the Torrance Cultural Arts Foundation is to enrich the lives of all those within the City of Torrance and surrounding communities through the performing arts. By presenting relevant, accessible, and quality performances of all genres, we bridge cultural divides, inspire the young, support economic development, and begin conversations relevant to the human condition. To connect our community through culturally enriching experiences.

Riptide Films

Riptide Films explores the emotional and moral complexities of human nature through compelling storytelling. From action to rom-coms, we showcase the vulnerabilities and strengths of everyday people, inspired by modern cultural conversations and timeless themes.

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Evol Dog Productions

Evol Dog Productions was founded in March 2021 by friends from the Torrance/South Bay, California area, forging a unique path in the industry by embracing the indie and film festival route.As a bold alternative to traditional film and television, we champion authenticity, collaboration, and resourceful filmmaking, telling human stories across diverse genres and capturing life’s complexities with creativity and innovation.

Aureate Productions

We craft immersive, community-driven experiences that inspire and engage. With a passion for innovative storytelling, we create high-quality content that fosters meaningful connections, blending narratives with social causes to leave a lasting impact on both entertainment and the communities we serve.

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Event Information

Film Festival Schedule

Full schedule will be available closer to the festival.

tICKETS

Learn more and purchase tickets.

• Tickets

digital program

Scroll down and the click the Pink Star to access the full digital program.

• Access to the Digital Program

Parking and Transportation

Parking is FREE and plenty!The location is close to many bus stops and near a regional transit center. Transportation app drop off and pick up--easy too!

Seating

500 Seats

Seating Accomodations

TOCA staff makes every effort to accommodate patrons with special needs. Wheelchair seating is available in a variety of locations in both the Armstrong and Nakano Theatres. Please indicate any special needs on the order form, or call the box office 48 hours prior to the performance. This can be done at the time of ticket purchase.

Film Festival Flyer

Official selection 2026

Coming soon!

Submissions

• FilmFreeway
• Submission Rules and Terms
• Awards and Prizes
• What to Include on FilmFreeway
• Judges

Submit Your Short Film to the
Riptide Film Festival

Submit your film today and be part of a festival that champions independent voices and fresh perspectives. We can’t wait to see your vision on the big screen!

Are you ready to share your story with the world?The Riptide Film Festival is calling for bold, original short films that inspire, entertain, and push creative boundaries. Whether you’re a student filmmaker, an indie creator, or an emerging storyteller, this is your chance to have your work screened in front of an engaged audience and industry professionals.

Submission Important Dates and Deadlines

Extended Deadline
June 21stFinal Deadline
July 11th

Use Discount Code “RIPTIDE25OFF”
for 25% off submission fees!

Our Judges

• FilmFreeway
• Submission Rules and Terms
• What to Include on FilmFreeway
• Judges

The following awards and prizes will be awarded at the 2026 Riptide Film Festival. This list includes awards and prizes granted or determined by the selection committee and (film school professors and industry professionals) judges. Award categories, award names, and possible prizes are subject to change and are up to the discretion of the judges, screeners, and programmers.By discretion, special awards may be given at the jury's discretion to recognize exceptional talent, innovation, or impact beyond the listed categories.To learn more about sponsor, please check out Our Sponsors!

Judges

• FilmFreeway
• Submission Rules and Terms
• Awards and Prizes
• What to Include on FilmFreeway
• Become a Judge

Meet our 2025 Judging Team!

Michelle Fenn

Director, Producer, & Editor

Michelle Fenn is a Los Angeles–based Producer, Director, and Editor originally from a small New England town. With a background in both scripted and nonfiction storytelling, she has built a career championing character-driven work across genres and platforms.She has worked on series, documentaries, branded and marketing content for clients including Netflix, Fox, Sony Pictures Animation, FX, Magnolia Network, and Live Nation. Her work with the BBC earned multiple Telly Awards for excellence in digital documentary series, while her direction of promotional campaigns for the television series Billions received both a Bronze Clio and a GEMA Award.Her scripted projects include the independently produced TV pilot Psychic School, which earned “Best Pilot” at the 2023 LA Independent Women's Film Awards and the Omni Cultural TV Festival, as well as “Best Producer” honors from the Toronto International Women’s Film Festival and LAIFF Awards. She has also edited several series and shorts across genres for both independent productions and major platforms.In the documentary space, she co-produced the feature films 21 Miles in Malibu and Black Outside. Her directorial debut, Beyond the Herd, the flagship project of her production company Outrider Films, screened at more than 20 festivals in 2024 and 2025, earning “Best Short Documentary” at EQUUS Film and Arts, Borrego Springs, Sunscreen North, Animalis Fabula, Tonkawa, and Equinale Film Festivals.Through Outrider Films, Michelle continues to develop bold, female-led stories rooted in grit, independence, and the untamed spirit of Americana.

Psychic School (2025)
Beyond the Herd (2024)

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Become a Judge

• Judge Application
• Our Judges

As we enter our second year, we’re seeking judges that align with our mission to be the “first step” in the film festival journey, especially for student and indie filmmakers navigating the industry for the first time, in the current industry climate.

The role is unpaid, but judges would receive:

*1 VIP Festival Pass*Red Carpet Photos*Instagram Announcement (collabed and tagged post)*Inclusion in Live Event Coverage and Post-Event Highlight Reel*Placement in our digital program, and on our website, and Instagram*Thank-you recognition during our awards announcement and in post-event reporting

How Judging Works

You’ll receive the festival ballot with the top 5 nominated films in each award category, based on screener evaluations and nominationsJudges:

*Make selections and the final decisions for each award*Leave notes, comments, and feedback*Nominate honorable mentions*Create special awards to recognize exceptional talent, innovation, or impact beyond the listed categories

Submission Rules and Terms

• Submissions Home
• Awards and Prizes

Please email or fill out the contact form, if you have any questions or concerns about submissions, submissions rules, or submission terms.

All submissions must have been completed after January of 2023.Films must not exceed 10 minutes in total length.The festival will only communicate with the project submitter. Please make sure your contact information is correct and monitored regularly, as we will only communicate with you, through email.All films must be the original work of the filmmakers, and all filmmakers must have the necessary rights. The festival will not be responsible for any copyright-related issues.The submitter agrees that the festival will use the trailer, poster, stills, and promotional material upon selection for festival promotional purposes.Selected films and directors will be included in pre-event director interviews.Filmmakers are required to submit their films through an online screener. Please note that we do not accept new or updated versions of the submitted films. Therefore, changing or updating the originally submitted link is not allowed. Our programmers will only review one version of your film.Filmmakers may submit multiple films. However, each film must be accompanied by a separate entry form and submission fee.Selected films must acknowledge that the festival reserves the right to promote the films on Riptide Films, Aureate Productions, Evol Dog Productions, and the Riptide Film Festival website and social media using both images and videos that you provide. By submitting, you permit us to use clips, stills, and trailers for promotional purposes.All films must be submitted through FilmFreeway, no physical or mailed submissions will be allowed.If your film was selected and screened at previous Riptide Film Festivals, it will not be accepted for this iteration.Films in a language other than English must include English subtitles.Entry fees are non-refundable.Selected films will receive 1 VIP ticket.

Volunteer screener application

• Screener Application Form

Applications are officially closed!

Help us select titles for this year’s official selection!

Our Screening Committees assist with viewing titles submitted to the Festival and nominating short films for awards.5 Volunteer Screeners will help carefully curate a bold and exciting festival program.Whether you have a background in film, are a dedicated cinephile, a critic, or are simply curious, we’re open to anyone joining us as we assess the many submissions from local indie filmmakers.No need for resumes, cover letters, or interviews.

Benefits

1 Free VIP Ticket – Access to all festival screenings & perksCertificate of Completion (at request)See festival selections before anyone else!Network with indie filmmakers & gain festival experiencePlease note, we are unable to provide academic or internship credit.

Film Screener Expectations & Responsibilities

Must have reliable internet access to stream submissions.
Should expect to watch a minimum of 15 short films (with a duration of less than 10 minutes each).All screeners are required to watch each film in full before completing an evaluation and nomination form for each short film.An open and unbiased mind is essential. You will need to provide fair, objective, and constructive evaluations of all films assigned.

All screeners are not allowed to submit a film to the festival to remain conflict-free.All screeners must keep all film submissions confidential and not share any content with external parties or online.Screeners will be required to attend an online evaluation training and guidelines webinar.

Attend the festival

Attending the festival requires a ticket. Tickets can be purchased on the TOCA site linked below or in person at the TOCA box office.

G.A. = General AdmissionThe price of tickets does not include a $2.25 Internet Processing Fee.Tickets can be purchased in person at the box office (Hours: Tues. - Fri. 1 - 8 pm, Sat. 12 - 4 pm).

Tickets to attend the festival will be available for purchase on TOCA’s website.A limited number of tickets will be sold at the door, on the day of the event.For group sales, additional seating options or discounts please call the box office 310-781-7171.

Ticket Tiers and Pricing

Purchasing Tickets

• TOCA Event Listing
• Event Info
• Direct Link to Buy Tickets

Our sponsors and partners

• Sponsors Home

Want your logo featured on our site and our Instagram, among other perks? Sponsor the festival!

Thank you to our 2025 sponsors!

Our 2025 Venue Sponsor & Festival Location Host

Torrance Cultural Arts Foundation
Torrance, CA

Our 2025 Festival Award Sponsors

Best Short Wave, A Cut Above, Heart of the Tide and Shoreline Spectacle

Rising Tide Filmmaker and Breakout Filmmaker

Golden crest award

Our 2025 Sponsors

Shining Supporter

Silver Cinematic Insider

After-Party Host

Our 2025 Marketing and Communication Efforts

Sponsor Guide

• Sponsors Home

Why Sponsor Us?

Exposure – Engage with a passionate audience of film lovers and industry professionals.Brand Alignment – Connect with innovative creatives, filmmakers, and leaders.Media Reach – Gain access to local press and social media coverage.Community Impact – Support cultural enrichment and artistic growth.Marketing Perks – Benefit from event, digital, and experiential marketing for maximum brand impact.Flexible Entry Points – Affordable options ($250-$500) for smaller businesses, while premium sponsors receive high-impact branding.

Sponsor Tiers and Benefits

Social Media Strategy

Get a look into some of the types of content that you may receive, depending on your selected sponsor tier.

Naming Rights

Naming rights, a perk only available to our top tiers. First come first serve basis.
Placement entails verbal and visual acknowledgments.Gold Sponsor may select one:VIP Lounge — “VIP Lounge Brought to You By”Blocks — “Block x Brought To You By”A List Sponsor may select one:Awards Ceremony — Riptide Film Festival Awards Ceremony Brought To You By [Business Name]”After Party — “Riptide Film Festival After Party Brought To You By [Business Name]”

Digital Program Ad Sizes

All tiers have access to this perk, but ad sizes vary tier to tier.Have an ad suitable for a program? Choose one of the options below that best fit your ad and business' needs.Here you can use a poster or graphic that you have predesigned. or if you need an ad designed, send us an email to discuss options and additional rates.

Half Page: 5.5" × 8.5"

Full Page: 11" × 8.5"

Tips for a success

Secure your spot early! Some tiers are limited.Choose a sponsorship tier that aligns with your brand.Schedule a call or meeting with our sponsorship team to learn more, before the deadline.Contact our sponsorship team, by clicking "Contact Us."

What's Next?

• Sponsors Home
• Contact Us
• Social Media Content Samples
• Sponsor Intake Form & Payment Options

Contact Us - Schedule a call or meeting with our sponsorship team to learn more, before the deadline.Take a peek at some of our team's previous Social Media Content Samples to see what you can benefit from as a Sponsor.Sponsor Intake Form & Payment Options - Ready to become a sponsor? Fill out the form to help us get to know you and your business. Payment information included.

Content Samples

• Sponsors Home

Social media Content samples

Explore our content samples to see the quality, creativity, and impact your sponsorship helps bring to life.Click below to preview our work!

Our 2025 sponsor ads (Produced by Riptide Films, Evol Dog Productions, and Aureate productions)

What's Next?

• Sponsor Home
• Contact Us

Contact Us - Schedule a call or meeting with our sponsorship team to learn more, before the deadline.

Become a sponsor for the Riptide Film Festival

A cinematic brand campaign
built around a live cultural moment.

The Riptide Film Festival combines a live theater audience, cinematic brand storytelling, and long-term campaign assets into one integrated experience.Sponsors don’t just appear at the festival — they become part of its cultural environment.

Some Past Sponsor content samples

Submit Your Interest
In sponsoring the 2026 festival!

If you want to hear more or are unsure what the best tier is to select for your business, submit the form below.Upon completion of the form below, a member of our sponsorship team will call you to discuss options.

Sponsor intake form

Thank you so much for becoming a sponsor this year!If any of the embedded form features do not work, please use the link provided below.

• Sponsor Intake Form

Privacy Policy

for survey, demographic, film submissions, screeners applications, and personal data for Riptide Film Festival page

Effective Date: April 7th, 2025Riptide Film Festival | Torrance, California, USARiptide Film Festival ("we," "our," or "us") is committed to respecting your privacy and safeguarding your personal information.This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your data through our submission platforms, surveys, social media, and communications-including FilmFreeway, Gmail, Instagram, and Google Forms.1. Information We Collect
We may collect and store the following types of information:A. Personal Information
- Full name
- Email address
- Phone number
- School affiliation (for students)
- Mailing address (if applicable)
- Social media handles (if applicable)B. Demographic Information (optional)
- Age or age range
- Gender identity
- Race/Ethnicity
- Other voluntary identity-based dataC. Film Submission Details
Collected via FilmFreeway or forms:
- Film title and synopsis
- Director, producer, and crew bios
- Screening links and video files
- Posters, stills, press kits
- Release forms and permissions
- Production year, genre, and duration
-Student Status
More information is collected within reason.D. Survey & Feedback Data
Collected via Google Forms or similar tools:
- Opinions about the festival experience
- Suggestions for improvement
- Accessibility or inclusion needs
- Community engagement inputE. How We Use Your Information
We use the information you provide to:
- Process and review film submissions
- Communicate event updates and screening information
- Program festival selections and schedule
- Analyze survey feedback and improve the event
- Report anonymized demographics for funding, outreach, or grant purposes
- Promote selected films and filmmakers (with credit and consent)F. Sharing and Disclosure
We do not sell or rent your personal information. Data may be shared with:
- Festival organizers, staff, and judges (for review and planning)
- Trusted third-party platforms (e.g., FilmFreeway, Google Forms, Gmail)
- Partners, sponsors, or granting organizations (in aggregated or anonymized formats only)G. Data Security
We take reasonable steps to ensure your data is protected from unauthorized access or disclosure. However, no internet-based service is 100% secure. Submitting information is at your own discretion and risk.H. Data Retention
We retain your data only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy. After the conclusion of the festival, only email addresses and non-identifiable demographic data may be stored for internal use, future festival updates, or grant reporting. All other personally identifiable information will be deleted.
Submission and survey data may be archived for programming records, internal research, or future festival planning.I. Social Media and Third-Party Links
Our pages on Instagram (@riptidefilmfest). Website (riptidefilmfest.com) or external links (e.g., YouTube, FilmFreeway) may lead to third-party sites not controlled by us. Please review their individual privacy policies for more information.J. Youth and Student Submissions
For high school submissions, teacher or school representative verification may be required.K. Updates to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted here and noted with a revised effective date.Contact Us
For questions about this Privacy Policy or your personal data, please contact us via email.

Volunteer at RFF

• Volunteer Form

Volunteer

Be a part of making waves with the breakout Riptide Film Festival! As a volunteer, you’ll play a key role in helping the event run smoothly, ensuring a top-tier experience for guests, filmmakers, and industry professionals. In return, you'll gain hands-on experience, exclusive perks, and a front-row seat to the Riptide Film Festival.Whether you're passionate about film, interested in event production, or just love being in the energy of a creative community, there’s a spot for you on our team!We recommend signing up for at least one full shift, but multiple shifts are welcome (and appreciated!). Indicate your top two team preferences on the form. Final placements will be confirmed by the Riptide Team based on availability and event needs.

Ideal Volunteers

Positive and professional attitude
Reliable and punctual
Team player with great communication
Interest in film, media, events, or entertainment

Volunteer Perks

Complimentary GA access to the festival outside of your shift (Festival Operations Team Only)
Exclusive access to the volunteer green room + private crafty
Networking opportunities with industry professionals & filmmakers
Complimentary After-party ticket (Clean-Up Team only)We are unable to grant academic and internship credit. But we are able to write a signed letter with your hours listed.

Volunteer Teams

Festival Operations

Be the friendly face and strong support that helps our festival run smoothly. You’ll work with our core staff to manage crowd flow, help seat attendees, answer questions, and ensure a seamless experience from start to finish.Duties Include:Greeting and checking in guests
Assisting with seating and venue transitions
Managing line flow and general admission entry
Supporting special guests with green room and backstage accessAvailable Shifts:10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
6:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Clean Up Crew

Help us close out the festival strong. This shift is short but mighty. Volunteers will help restore the venue to its original condition, including clean-up of trash, breakdown of decorations, and packing up equipment.Duties Include:Collecting trash and recycling
Assisting with the breakdown of event materials
Sweeping and organizing event spaces
Clean-Up volunteers receive a FREE ticket to the After Party!Available Shift:10:00 PM – 11:30 PM (shift may run shorter)

Contact Us

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Links

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