Beverly Hills Film Festival

What Beverly Hills Film Festival does

The Beverly Hills Film Festival (BHFF) is a privately held, annual international film festival founded in 2000-2001 by independent filmmaker Nino Simone. Headquartered in Beverly Hills, California, with 11-50 employees, the festival operates on a single annual event cycle, typically held in April, at iconic Hollywood venues — TCL Chinese 6 Theatres for film screenings and The Beverly Hilton International Ballroom for the Awards Gala. The 26th edition in 2026 attracted a record 64,000 attendees and screened 450+ films from 65+ countries.

The festival's core products are film screenings (across feature, documentary, short, and animated categories), a screenplay competition for feature and short scripts, an industry panel and networking program, and a black-tie Awards Gala. Revenue is generated through three streams: (1) filmmaker and screenwriter submission fees processed via the FilmFreeway platform, (2) tiered pass and ticket sales (Platinum, Gold, VIP) for screenings, panels, and after-parties, and (3) sponsorship revenue from a diversified portfolio of luxury, beverage, hospitality, automotive, and media brands. Primary customer segments are independent filmmakers, screenwriters, student filmmakers, and documentary and animated film creators seeking international visibility, industry access, and distribution pathways.

The festival has built a 25-year brand identity around its Beverly Hills location, red-carpet premieres, and partnerships with industry organizations including the American Cinema Editors (ACE), American Society of Cinematographers (ASC), SAGindie, and studios such as Lionsgate. Awards include the Golden Palm Award (top film prize), Living Legend Award, and a slate of category-specific jury and audience awards. The organization is governed by an Executive Board led by founder Nino Simone as President, with no disclosed outside equity, venture capital, or parent ownership.

Name

Beverly Hills Film Festival

Legal name

Beverly Hills Film Festival

Website

https://beverlyhillsfilmfestival.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Beverly Hills Film Festival is a privately held annual international film festival founded in 2000-2001, hosting screenings at TCL Chinese Theatres and an Awards Gala at The Beverly Hilton, serving independent filmmakers, screenwriters, and student filmmakers from 65+ countries with 450+ films and 64,000 attendees.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Film Festival Events

NAICS

Motion Picture and Video Exhibition (51213), Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture Theaters (7830), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Film Festivals & Festival Organizers (MPADAKAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Marketing, Publicity & Awards Campaigns (MPADAAAM)

Keywords

• Film festival events
• Screenplay competitions
• Film screenings
• Industry panel discussions
• Awards ceremony

Headquarters

HQ city

Beverly Hills

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Others

Revenue model

1. Film & Screenplay Submissions: Filmmakers pay submission fees through FilmFreeway to enter their films and screenplays for consideration at the festival.
2. Festival Passes & Tickets: The festival sells various pass levels (Platinum, Gold, VIP) and individual screening tickets to attendees. Badge holders receive access to after-parties and special events.
3. Sponsorship: The festival partners with luxury brands, hospitality companies, beverage brands, and media outlets who receive branding visibility, event access, and hospitality benefits in exchange for financial support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Beverly Hills Film Festival operates an annual international film festival that curates and screens hundreds of films from 65+ countries at TCL Chinese Theatres, runs screenplay and student competitions, hosts industry panels, and concludes with a black-tie Gala Awards Ceremony at The Beverly Hilton. It generates revenue through filmmaker submission fees, ticket and pass sales to attendees, and sponsorship packages from luxury brands and studios.

Product overview

The Beverly Hills Film Festival (BHFF) is an annual international film festival that operates as a unified event platform offering multiple interconnected products and services. The core offering includes film screenings at TCL Chinese Theatres featuring over 400 films from 65+ countries, a Screenplay Competition for feature and short screenplays, and Industry Panels & Discussions led by entertainment professionals. Supporting offerings include the prestigious Golden Palm Award as the top film prize, the Living Legend Award and Digital Evolution ACE Award as special recognitions, the Gala Awards Ceremony as the closing black-tie event, VIP After-Parties for networking, and a dedicated Student Film & Screenplay Competition offering grants to student participants. The festival welcomes over 55,000 attendees annually across red carpet events, screenings, and educational programming.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Beverly Hills Film Festival (Annual Event) An annual international film festival featuring film screenings, screenplay competitions, red carpet events, industry panels, and gala awards ceremonies, showcasing films from emerging and established filmmakers worldwide.
• Screenplay Competition A competition for feature-length and short-length screenplays, selecting entries that demonstrate exceptional storytelling, well-developed characters, and compelling narratives.
• Film Screenings Film screenings held at TCL Chinese Theatres featuring selected films across multiple categories including feature films, documentaries, short subjects, and animated films.
• Gala Awards Ceremony An intimate black-tie awards ceremony concluding the festival, held at luxury venues such as The Beverly Hilton or Four Seasons Beverly Wilshire Hotel.
• Industry Panels & Discussions Educational panel discussions led by industry leaders covering topics such as independent film distribution, AI in filmmaking, casting, and documentary filmmaking.
• Student Film & Screenplay Competition A competition category for K-12, undergraduate, and graduate students offering grants to participate in the festival.
• VIP After-Parties Exclusive networking events for filmmakers, screenwriters, Platinum, and Gold pass holders held at various luxury venues during the festival.

Quantifiable outcome

• Record 64,000 attendees in 2026
• +2 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• The Beverly Hilton HotelflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial Hotel and Awards Venue Partner for the festival. Hosts the Annual Awards Night Gala in the International Ballroom, as well as the Founder's Pre-Opening Party and various VIP events. Located at 9876 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90210.
• Love Beverly HillscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial Host Destination Partner. Promotes Beverly Hills as the premier destination for filmmakers and festival attendees.
• Ovation HollywoodcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial Outdoor Panel Venue Partner. Hosts industry educational panels and networking mixers in the Ovation Hollywood Courtyard.
• TCL Chinese TheatresflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial Screening Partner. All festival film screenings are held at TCL Chinese 6 Theatres, 6925 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028. The iconic venue has hosted premieres since 1927.
• Maison PerrierminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial Water Partner for the 2026 festival.
• Aix RoséminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial Rosé Partner for the 2026 festival.
• Fever-TreeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial Mixer Partner for the 2026 festival.
• PeroniminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial Beer and Non-Alcoholic Beer Partner for the 2026 festival.
• Cazcanas TequilaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial Tequila Partner for the 2026 festival.
• Siren's Tale VodkaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial Vodka Partner for the 2026 festival.
• Animas MezcalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial Mezcal Partner for the 2026 festival.
• Woodson WhiskeyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial Whiskey Partner for the 2026 festival.
• Ten to One RumminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial Rum Partner for the 2026 festival.
• Marios Hard EspressominorGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial Coffee Liqueur Partner for the 2026 festival.
• Bucha Hard KombuchaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial Hard Kombucha Partner for the 2026 festival.
• LionsgateminorGTM or Marketing PartnerStudio partner providing support and visibility for the festival.
• Mercedes-Benz USAminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLuxury automotive brand partner for the festival.
• GQminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia partner providing editorial coverage and visibility.
• American Cinema Editors (ACE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional organization of film editors providing industry credibility and potential panel participation.
• American Society of Cinematographers (ASC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional organization of cinematographers providing industry credibility and potential panel participation.
• SAGindieminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership supporting independent filmmakers with SAG-AFTRA talent considerations.
• California Film Commission (Film.ca.gov)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState film commission providing support and resources for California-based productions.
• Wolfgang Puck CateringminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCelebrity chef catering partner for festival events and galas.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Sundance Film Festival: The largest independent film festival in the US, run by the Sundance Institute. Comparable to BHFF as both serve independent filmmakers seeking premieres, awards recognition, and distribution deals — though Sundance operates at materially larger scale and global prestige.
• Tribeca Festival: Annual NYC film festival co-founded by Robert De Niro, showcasing independent films, premieres, and industry panels. Directly comparable as a premium, celebrity-attended indie festival with corporate sponsorships and ticketed public programming.
• Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF): One of the world's most prestigious film festivals, focused on independent and international cinema. Comparable to BHFF as a flagship destination for filmmakers seeking distribution, but operates at significantly larger scale and global media reach.
• Palm Springs International Film Festival: California-based annual film festival with awards gala and celebrity attendance. Comparable to BHFF as a regional California festival with luxury sponsorship model, awards ceremony, and indie filmmaker focus.
• Austin Film Festival: Annual festival with strong screenplay competition component (similar to BHFF's screenplay offering). Comparable as a writer-and-filmmaker focused festival with submission fees, passes, and industry panel programming.
• Cannes Film Festival: The world's most prestigious annual film festival. While far larger and more international, Cannes is the ultimate benchmark for the festival-tier business that BHFF operates in — showcasing films, awarding prizes, and hosting luxury-brand sponsored industry events.
• SXSW Film Festival: Austin-based annual festival combining film, music, and technology programming. Comparable to BHFF as a discovery platform for indie filmmakers, with similar submission/pass/sponsorship revenue model and industry panel programming.

Regional players

• Newport Beach Film Festival: California coastal festival with similar indie film programming, awards, and luxury sponsor roster. Comparable as a Southern California peer festival competing for some of the same filmmakers, sponsors, and audiences.
• Hamptons International Film Festival: East Coast prestige film festival with luxury sponsor base and celebrity attendance. Comparable to BHFF as an upscale, regionally-anchored festival with similar submission/pass/sponsorship revenue mix.

Others

• FilmFreeway: The dominant film festival submission marketplace used by BHFF and thousands of festivals globally. Included as a critical infrastructure/enabler peer — BHFF's entire filmmaker acquisition funnel depends on this platform.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/thebhfilmfest
• Facebookfacebook.com/thebhfilmfest
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/beverly-hills-film-festival
• Instagraminstagram.com/thebhfilmfest

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Beverly Hills Film Festival