GuadaLAjara Film Festival

What GuadaLAjara Film Festival does

GuadaLAjara Film Festival (GLAFF) is a nonprofit film festival based in Los Angeles, California, presented by the University of Guadalajara Foundation USA and affiliated with the Universidad de Guadalajara in Mexico. Founded in 2010 as FICG in LA and rebranded as GLAFF in 2020, the organization operates a 3-day annual festival — the 15th edition ran November 6-8, 2025 — featuring film screenings, masterclasses, panel discussions, networking events, and the Árbol de la Vida Awards. GLAFF curates content from Latin American, Latinx, and BIPOC filmmakers and serves three primary audiences: independent filmmakers seeking visibility and industry access, cultural audiences interested in Latin American and BIPOC cinema, and film industry professionals scouting new talent.

The festival's programmatic portfolio centers on the WIP Latino (Work In Progress Latino) post-production support program, which provides professional services, mentorship, and a $10,000 USD cash award to emerging filmmakers. Supporting offerings include the Filmmakers' Forum, panel discussions, networking events, the Bridges creative writing program (with Get Lit – Words Ignite), educational workshops, press accreditation, and a volunteer program. The organization runs on a partnership-driven, event-based model using Eventive for ticketing, Eventival for film submissions, and Vimeo for online screenings. It generates revenue through corporate and institutional sponsorships — including Universidad de Guadalajara, the University of Guadalajara Foundation USA, and the Grodman Legacy Family Foundation — while 100% of ticket proceeds are donated annually to a rotating nonprofit beneficiary (Public Counsel in 2025).

Name

GuadaLAjara Film Festival

Legal name

GuadaLAjara Film Festival

Website

https://glaff.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

GuadaLAjara Film Festival (GLAFF) is a Los Angeles-based nonprofit film festival serving Latin American, Latinx, and BIPOC filmmakers and audiences through an annual 3-day festival, the WIP Latino post-production program, masterclasses, and industry events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Film Festival and Cultural Events

NAICS

Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (711310), Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture Theaters (7830)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYMPADAKAD

Film Festivals & Festival Organizers

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Film & Video Production/Distribution/Exhibition (Cinemas, Film Festivals, Screenings)

SECONDARYBPAGAHAG

Cultural Festivals & Events Organizations

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Arts, Culture & Heritage Nonprofits

Keywords

• Film festival
• Cinema screenings
• Filmmaker programs
• Industry networking
• Cultural nonprofit events

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Angeles

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: The festival generates revenue through ticket sales and All-Access Passes for screenings and events. 100% of ticket proceeds are donated to nonprofit organizations supporting Latinx and BIPOC communities.
2. Sponsorships: GLAFF is funded through partnerships with sponsors including Universidad de Guadalajara, University of Guadalajara Foundation USA, Grodman Legacy Family Foundation, and various corporate sponsors. Sponsors receive visibility and association with the festival's mission.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

GLAFF is a nonprofit film festival that operates an annual three-day event in Los Angeles featuring curated film screenings, masterclasses, panel discussions, and networking events for Latin American, Latinx, and BIPOC filmmakers and audiences. Its core programs include the WIP Latino post-production support program (which provides a $10,000 USD cash award and mentorship), the Filmmakers' Forum, and the ÁRBOL DE LA VIDA Awards. The festival is presented by the University of Guadalajara Foundation USA and donates 100% of ticket proceeds to nonprofit organizations serving these communities.

Product overview

GuadaLAjara Film Festival (GLAFF) is a nonprofit film festival that operates a portfolio of programs centered on celebrating Latin American, Latinx, and BIPOC voices in cinema. The core offering is the annual film festival in Los Angeles (November 6–8, 2025), featuring official selection screenings of feature films, short films, and TV series across multiple venues. Supporting the festival are three major programmatic pillars: (1) WIP Latino (Work In Progress Latino), a post-production initiative providing resources and mentorship to emerging filmmakers; (2) the Filmmakers' Forum, comprising masterclasses, panel discussions, and networking events; and (3) the Árbol de la Vida Awards recognizing Achievement & Trailblazer Honorees and Humanitarian Honorees. Additional programs include the Bridges creative writing initiative and educational workshops. The festival also offers press accreditation, volunteer opportunities, and sponsorship packages as supporting services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Film Screenings (Official Selection) Annual showcase of feature films, short films, and TV series from Latin American, Latinx, and BIPOC filmmakers screened across multiple Los Angeles venues.
• WIP Latino (Work In Progress Latino) Post-production support program for Latinx, Latin American, and BIPOC filmmakers providing professional post-production services, color correction, sound post-production, distribution opportunities, industry mentorship, and a $10,000 USD cash award from the University of Guadalajara Foundation USA.
• Filmmakers' Forum Industry programming section featuring masterclasses, panel discussions, and conversation events with film and entertainment professionals covering topics such as visual storytelling, distribution strategies, animation, and career development.
• Networking Events Casual gatherings for filmmakers, industry professionals, and creatives to connect, share ideas, and explore potential collaborations in a relaxed setting.
• ÁRBOL DE LA VIDA Awards Annual awards inspired by the Mexican Tree of Life craft honoring artists, filmmakers, cultural leaders, and humanitarians whose work uplifts Latin American, Latinx, and BIPOC communities, including Achievement & Trailblazer Honorees and Humanitarian Honorees categories.
• Bridges Creative Writing Program Creative writing program developed in partnership with Get Lit – Words Ignite, welcoming young writers and poets from Latinx, Latin American, and BIPOC communities to reflect on films through writing.
• Educational Workshops Filmmaking and storytelling workshops designed to make creative skills more accessible to the community, welcoming both beginners and those already exploring these topics.
• Masterclasses In-depth sessions led by experts in film, media, and entertainment designed to teach specific skills or share behind-the-scenes insights into creative and technical processes.
• Panel Discussions Industry panel discussions bringing together voices from different corners of the film industry to discuss trends, challenges, and new ideas in filmmaking.
• Sponsorships Corporate sponsorship opportunities connecting brands with audiences who value Latin American, Latinx, and BIPOC cultures, creativity, and communities.

Quantifiable outcome

• WIP Latino has launched films to major festival premieres including Tribeca, Venice, and SXSW
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered supporting and core.

• Public CounselsupportingGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 20252025 nonprofit beneficiary. GLAFF donates 100% of ticket proceeds to Public Counsel, a nonprofit public interest law firm dedicated to advancing civil rights and racial/economic justice in Los Angeles.
• Universidad de GuadalajaracoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2010GLAFF is one of the key cultural programs of the University of Guadalajara Foundation USA. The Universidad de Guadalajara is the founding institution, providing institutional support and roots for the festival.
• University of Guadalajara Foundation USAcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2010Presenting organization of GLAFF. The foundation serves as the main organizational entity behind the festival, providing institutional framework and support.
• Guadalajara International Film Festival (FICG)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGLAFF is the sister festival to FICG. The two festivals maintain close collaboration and strong cultural/professional ties, with GLAFF originally founded as FICG in LA.
• Get Lit – Words IgnitesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration partner for the Bridges program, which welcomes young writers and poets to reflect through writing, engaging with films and themes relevant to Latin American, Latinx, and BIPOC communities.
• Art Director's GuildsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with GLAFF for masterclasses, including the Visual Poetry masterclass with Gia Coppola and Natalie Ziering, presented by the ADG DEI Committee.
• International Documentary Association (IDA)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with GLAFF for the Dynamic Distribution masterclass, sharing insights from the documentary space with filmmakers.
• Dolores Huerta FoundationsupportingOthersPast nonprofit partner supported by GLAFF, focusing on community organizing initiatives.
• Justice for Migrant WomensupportingOthersPast nonprofit partner supported by GLAFF, focusing on labor rights for migrant women.
• The TransLatin@ CoalitionsupportingOthersPast nonprofit partner supported by GLAFF, focusing on transgender advocacy.
• United We DreamsupportingOthersPast nonprofit partner supported by GLAFF, focusing on immigrant justice advocacy.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/glaffofficial
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@GlaFilmFest
• Facebookfacebook.com/glafilmfest
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/guadalajara-film-festival
• Instagraminstagram.com/glaffofficial

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about GuadaLAjara Film Festival