"It's a Wonderful Life", San Pedro

Like many great movies, the San Pedro International Film Festival began with a little romance. In 2012, the festival's inaugural year, a comedy-drama titled Silver Linings Playbook made its LA festival premiere, screening alongside other inspirational films with unique and global perspectives—reflective of the city's diverse culture. Silver Linings Playbook won Best Feature film, and a few months later, in the same city, went on to take home more than a dozen heavy-weight awards.

SPIFF, as the festival calls itself, shows its commitment to great cinematic works in ways that go beyond honoring excellent movies. The festival dives into the inner workings of the film industry with workshops and speakers slotted between its screenings. And before the festival even begins, a two-day Youth Film Intensive introduces budding Spielbergs to techniques in storytelling and structure, as well as the ins-and-outs of casting, producing, and sneaking subliminal messages into the title credits.

SPIFF has also hosted Bryan Singer and his classic The Usual Suspects. The festival has been featured on ABC Channel 7, and in Variety and Entertainment Weekly. They've also screened director and artist Ai Weiwei's Human Flow and this year's winner at Cannes, The Square.