The Fabulous Five films from ADFEST will be automatically considered for the Academy Award and BAFTA-qualifying 2026 LA Shorts International Film Festival.
“Festival founder Robert Arentz praised ADFEST for nurturing global talent, saying LA Shorts looks forward to reviewing the films for its milestone 30th anniversary: “We believe great storytelling transcends boundaries and unites us through shared human experience.“
Former jury president Wuthisak Anarnkaporn highlighted Fabulous Five as a vital platform for emerging directors: “It’s where young filmmakers get a real chance to be seen and to grow. Don’t wait until you feel ready—just start writing and send your story.”
Past participants also shared how the program shaped their careers. Mika Sasaki (TYO Inc., Tokyo), winner of the 2025 Commendation Award for Im Perfection, said the experience was a powerful creative milestone. Haruna Takahara (HAT, Tokyo), whose film ICE won the Popular Vote, valued the exposure and feedback she received both locally and abroad. Azlan Som (Logic & Magic, Kuala Lumpur) and Tomoya Matsushita (AOI Pro.) echoed similar gratitude, calling Fabulous Five an inspiring journey that deepened their love for storytelling.
Script submissions for the ADFEST Fabulous Five 2026 close on Friday, 2 January 2026, while entries for all other ADFEST Lotus Awards categories close on 19 December 2025 (early bird) and 9 January 2026 (regular deadline).
ADFEST 2026, themed “Human+,” will take place 19–21 March 2026 at the Royal Cliff Hotels Group in Pattaya, Thailand. The festival continues its mission as a non-profit dedicated to nurturing creativity across the Asia Pacific and MENA regions.
