NYWIFT Blog

WIFT Around the World: La Jolla International Fashion Film Festival

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.

PUBLISHED BY

Jean Criss Author, Writer, Blogger, Entrepreneur

Jean Criss Author, Writer, Blogger, Entrepreneur 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.

View all posts by Jean Criss Author, Writer, Blogger, Entrepreneur

Comments are closed

Related Posts

NYWIFT at Tribeca 2025: In Conversation with Chantel Simpson

Congratulations are in order for multi-hyphenate filmmaker Chantel Simpson, whose compelling short film A Drastic Tale will make its world premiere at the 2025 Tribeca Festival. As a proud member of New York Women in Film & Television (NYWIFT), Simpson brings a unique perspective to the screen, having served as the director, producer, screenwriter, and editor of the film. Centered around the Drastic Auto Club — one of the oldest lowrider groups in New York City — A Drastic Tale offers a raw and moving exploration of brotherhood, identity, and the soul of car culture in the urban Northeast. In this exclusive interview, Simpson shares her journey, creative process, and hopes for how her story will resonate with audiences everywhere.

READ MORE

NYWIFT at Tribeca 2025: In Conversation with Veronica Reyes-How

Award-winning writer, actor, and producer Veronica Reyes-How is making a bold mark on the indie television landscape with the world premiere of her new episodic series, Mother, May I Have a Kidney?, at the 2025 Tribeca Festival. As a proud NYWIFT member and first-generation Filipino-American, Reyes-How brings heart, humor, and authenticity to her storytelling. Her latest project, which she created, wrote, and executive produced, explores themes of family estrangement, empathy, and kidney health through a unique dramedy lens. With a rich background that spans from tech consulting to national tours, hit TV appearances, and more, Veronica continues to champion diverse voices and underrepresented narratives in media.

READ MORE

Meet the New NYWIFT Member: Anna Koukouli Born

Welcome to our new NYWIFT member, Anna Koukouli Born! Anna Koukouli Born is a bicoastal writer-director splitting her time between NY and LA.  She explores women's stories, dysfunctional families, unbearable workplaces filled with Succession-like egos, social inequality, and climate-caused disasters set in the near future. Drawing from her Greek history and heritage, Anna loves allegorical cautionary tales about strong, tragic characters trying to overcome adversity. She’s also obsessed with women's rights and gender parity. Her humor is darker than yours. She bets on it. Anna studied Story Analysis and TV Development at UCLA Extension and holds a BA (Hons) Marketing and an MBA from the UK Universities of Lincoln and Liverpool, respectively. Anna talks about her journey into the film industry, her experiences working on various films, and how she overcomes challenges within these fields!

READ MORE

NYWIFT at Tribeca 2025: In Conversation with Mattie Akers

NYWIFT member and seasoned archival producer Mattie Akers is making a powerful mark at the 2025 Tribeca Festival, where the documentary For Venida, For Kalief will have its world premiere as part of the Documentary Competition lineup. Directed by Sisa Bueno, the film explores the enduring impact of Kalief Browder and his mother Venida Browder, whose lives were tragically shaped by systemic injustice. Told through poetry, activism, and powerful archival material, the film is a deeply moving reflection on loss, resilience, and legacy. With over two decades in the documentary field, Akers brings her passion for social issues, historical research, and storytelling to the forefront in this timely and emotional project.

READ MORE
JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER
css.php