
By Jean Criss
The La Jolla International Fashion Film Festival, an annual awards celebration, was held July 29 – 30, 2022 at The Lot in La Jolla, California. Producers, directors, screenwriters, fashion designers, creative artists, cinematographers, photographers, press, and media attended the red carpet events.

The La Jolla International Fashion Film Festival is a community event bringing together collaborative global creative industry leaders to La Jolla, one of the most beautiful places in California. This location is surrounded by pristine coastline, seaside resorts, wildlife, and birds, adding to the ultimate experience. La Jolla welcomed guests to the 13th annual event with open arms, and the awards event sold out once again and received rave reviews by all! Thanks to everyone involved who put this fabulous event together.
The program began Friday, July 29th with an opening night reception, Instagram walls, art installations, press interviews, networking, and cocktails. It was a great time to catch up with business acquaintances and friends, network, meet and greets, and the opportunity to discuss upcoming film ventures.

Saturday’s program began with theater screenings and filmmaker stage introductions from 10am to noon, followed by the red carpet festivities and the award show from 3pm to 10pm. A host of presenters announced the International Fashion Film Awards™ winners while the production crew, paparazzi, and press captured the night. Those attending the event enjoyed the red carpet, interviews, performances, Instagram walls, and award presentations held outdoors on a fabulous southern California breezy night with networking, cocktails, and after party that followed.

Fred Sweet, LJFFF Executive Producer of the 13th annual awards festival, welcoming award-winning producers, filmmakers, designers to the red carpet.
“Over the years one of the most gratifying aspects of the La Jolla global community is how many new collaborations are formed every year at the festival. This year was no exception,” said Fred Sweet, LJFFF Executive Producer. “Virtually all the filmmakers I talked to, and I talked to a lot, said they had met other film creators that they were planning on doing new projects with. And that is what La Jolla has always been about, empowering creative professionals worldwide.”

Tabitha Lipkin, News Personality, TV Anchor, Emmy Award Winner and LJFFF Host wore two stunning designs by Courtney Russell, Fashion Designer/Filmmaker (left). Luke DePron, Men’s Fitness Coach, Co-Host and MC for our theatre screenings featured with Laura Arianna, Actress (center). We were honored to have Larry Namer, Co-Founder of E! Entertainment Television, announce the final award for Best Picture (right).



Jean Criss is a NYWIFT contributing writer and attended her second annual LJFFF event with an affinity and passion in media, television, the arts, fashion, food, and the entertainment industries. Jean is an author, entrepreneur, fashion designer, tech innovator, media strategist, writer, and blogger. Learn more at JeanCrissMedia and CRISSCROSSIntimates; for press interviews/media inquiries contact jean@jeancrissmedia.com, LinkedIn @jean-criss; Twitter @jean_criss; IG @jean.criss and @crisscross.intimates.
Special thanks to @PixiliciousEntertainment and @LJFFF for photography.
- LJFFF video archive
- Fashion Film Gallery
- LJFFF 2022 Award Winners
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Jean Criss is a contributing writer for NYWIFT's blog. She is also an author, columnist, digital media-preneur, tech innovator, and fashion designer who thrives on bringing engaging community, content development, emerging tech and communications to life. A 5X author, 4X award-winning e-commerce and digital creator, and global leader in support of emerging tech and women empowerment. Recent work: https://linkedin.com/in/jean-criss; https://linktr.ee/jeancriss; and https://www.nywift.org/author/jeancriss2/. Contact Jean for writing, speaking and creative content engagements. info@jeancrissmedia.com.
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