The 8th Annual Lee Strasberg Film Festival is set to take place in West Hollywood for the first time, running from November 8-10, 2024. Having previously called New York City home, the festival’s move to the West Coast marks a significant expansion, allowing it to broaden its scope and welcome filmmakers and cinephiles from across the globe.
With free admission to most screenings and a small fee for special programming, including Q&A sessions with industry professionals, the event aims to become a vital new addition to Los Angeles’ vibrant film scene.
The decision to shift the festival to the The Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute, 7936 Santa Monica Boulevard, connects the festival more closely to the entertainment industry’s global hub, giving students, alumni, and filmmakers direct access to a wider network of industry insiders, producers, and talent.
At the heart of the festival is a celebration of the actor’s journey, a tribute to the legacy of Lee Strasberg, whose method acting technique has shaped generations of performers. Known for its focus on projects that emphasize the depth, authenticity, and creative process of the actor, the festival offers a unique platform where performance and storytelling converge. It provides a rare opportunity for emerging talent to present their work alongside that of established filmmakers, all within the framework of Strasberg’s acting philosophy.
The three-day event promises a packed schedule filled with screenings, seminars, and networking events designed to foster meaningful connections within the filmmaking community. Attendees can also look forward to the festival’s closing awards ceremony, where top honors will be given for Best Film, Best Director, and other categories, highlighting both the artistic and collaborative achievements of filmmakers.
This year’s festival is not just about film screenings — it is also a place for in-depth discussions and learning. Seminars will focus on various aspects of filmmaking, from actor performance and method acting techniques to the intricate work behind the camera. Q&A sessions with filmmakers and actors will provide additional insights into the creative process, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the journey from script to screen.
Over the years, the festival has garnered a reputation for curating an impressive selection of narrative short and feature films from around the world. Each year, at least 50 films are chosen to be part of the festival’s official lineup, representing diverse genres, cultures, and perspectives. The 2024 edition will be no different, with a carefully curated collection of films that promise to captivate and inspire audiences.
Since its founding in 2017, the Lee Strasberg Film Festival has been deeply connected to the institute’s mission of training actors in the Method Acting technique developed by Strasberg. This approach, based on the principles of Russian theater pioneer Konstantin Stanislavski, focuses on emotional authenticity and the actor’s personal connection to the character. Strasberg’s interpretation of the method has influenced generations of actors, many of whom have gone on to become some of Hollywood’s most celebrated performers.
The Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute, with branches in New York and Los Angeles, continues to honor the teachings of its founder. Strasberg’s work, which began in the 1930s with the Group Theatre and later flourished at the Actors Studio, has left an indelible mark on the art of acting. His students, including luminaries such as Marilyn Monroe, Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Ellen Burstyn, have credited Strasberg’s method with transforming their performances.
For a full schedule of screenings, visit www.leestrasbergfilmfestival.com.
