SEEfest

10/16/2026

AFI FEST turns 40!

One of LA’s signature film festivals returns to Hollywood October 21–25, celebrating the art of cinema with stories from around the world.

Join the celebration at the 40th edition of AFI FEST presented by Canva, featuring red carpet premieres, world cinema, documentaries, short films, and more.

Explore the program and get your passes at fest.afi.com.

10/08/2026

A new review on SEEfest Review explores Everybody Came to Tana’s: An American Dream Come True, the memoir of legendary restaurateur, footballer, filmmaker, and longtime Los Angeles figure Dan Tana.

Reviewed by his daughter, actor and writer Katerina Tana, the memoir traces her father’s extraordinary journey from Yugoslavia to postwar Europe, professional football, Hollywood, and the restaurant that became a Los Angeles institution.

More than a story of fame and success, the book is a portrait of an immigrant life shaped by freedom, adventure, resilience, friendship, and an extraordinary ability to connect with people.

Read the full review: https://seefilmla.org/review-everybody-came-to-tanas-by-dan-tana/

Everybody Came to Tana’s: An American Dream Come True is available through independent bookstores.

09/29/2026

SEEfest will gather on Tuesday, October 13, to honor and remember our longtime volunteer, supporter, photographer, and beloved member of our community, Tshombe Sampson.

Tshombe brought warmth, generosity, humor, and friendship to SEEfest and to the many communities he was part of. We invite friends, colleagues, volunteers, and members of the SEEfest community to join us as we come together to share memories and celebrate his life.

Tuesday, October 13 · 6-10 PM
The Nickel Mine
11363 Santa Monica Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90025

We hope you’ll join us in remembering Tshombe and celebrating the life he shared with so many. ❤️

09/25/2026

Join the Romanian community for an afternoon celebrating one of Romania’s beloved traditions, Ziua Recoltei (Harvest Day), on Sunday, October 4 at Coyote Hills Golf Course in Fullerton.

The celebration will feature authentic Romanian traditional music, folk dancing, and cultural traditions, including a special performance by the folkloric ensemble Mărțișorul, as well as live performances by Abigail Budak and DJ Adrian Novak.

Sunday, October 4, 2026
3:00 PM
Coyote Hills Golf Course
1440 E Bastanchury Rd, Fullerton, CA 92835

$145 per person includes a three-course dinner with Romanian red and white w**e. Early bird pricing is $135 per person. Children’s discounts are available. Confirm your participation via Zelle at: [email protected]

09/24/2026

SEEfest films rock!

Three films featured at SEEfest 2026 are now in the race for the 2027 Oscars.

FANTASY, the debut feature from Slovenian filmmaker KUKLA, is Slovenia’s Oscar submission for Best International Feature Film.

A STATE FILM, directed by SEEfest alum Roland Sejko, has been selected as Albania’s submission for Best International Feature Film.

And FAČUK, a short animation by Maida Srabović from Croatia and Slovenia, is in contention for Best Animated Short Film following its win at the Oscar-qualifying Palm Springs International ShortFest.

We’re proud to have screened these films at SEEfest 2026 and thrilled to see where their journeys continue.

09/23/2026

There are stories from Southeast Europe that deserve a bigger screen.

The 22nd annual South East European Film Festival returns to Los Angeles April 28-May 5, 2027, celebrating bold voices and cinematic stories from Southeast Europe and the Caucasus.

If you’re a filmmaker from Southeast Europe or the diaspora, or your film explores the region, its cultures, histories, and people, send it our way!

We’re accepting feature films, narrative documentaries, short fiction, short documentaries, and short animation.

Early Bird submissions close November 30, 2026.

Ready to share your film with SEEfest? Submit here: seefilmla.org/submitfilm

09/15/2026

New on SEEfest Review: Antigone: In the Language of Kings

Amanda L. Andrei reviews this powerful adaptation of Sophocles’ Antigone, reimagined in pre-conquest Tenochtitlan and performed in English, Spanish, and Nahuatl at the Getty Villa’s outdoor theater.

With haunting music, movement, striking visuals, and a story that confronts state violence, moral courage, and the abuse of power, Antigone: In the Language of Kings brings an ancient tragedy into vivid contemporary focus.

Photos by Craig Schwartz

Read the full review: https://seefilmla.org/review-antigone-in-the-language-of-kings/

09/11/2026

In remembrance of Tshombe Sampson ❤️

Tshombe’s beloved Burning Man community is gathering this Sunday, September 13, at Bates Beach in Carpinteria to celebrate his life, share stories, and remember him together. We’re grateful to his friends in the Burning Man community for organizing this gathering and for sharing these details so we could pass them along to the SEEfest community.

Rest in peace, Tshombe. You will be deeply missed.

09/10/2026

In Memoriam: Tshombe Sampson ❤️

We are deeply saddened by the passing of our dear friend Tshombe Sampson, who was such a beloved part of the SEEfest community for many years.

Tshombe was a true rock for SEEfest and one of those rare people who made a festival feel like a community. He was kind, humble, generous, curious, and completely without airs. His genuine smile, dry sense of humor, and easygoing nature could make any room or meeting feel a little better.

He was incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about film and creative expression, but always approachable and generous with what he knew. He gave so much of his time to SEEfest, whether volunteering, photographing the festival, participating in Q&As, associate programming, or simply helping wherever he could.

We will deeply miss seeing Tshombe around SEEfest with his camera, his smile, and his unmistakable presence. He was one of the people who made SEEfest feel welcoming, and we are so grateful to have known him.

May he rest in peace. ❤️

Pictured here is Tshombe with his niece on Opening Night of SEEfest 2018 — and, fittingly, for once, he’s not the one behind the camera.

09/08/2026

New on SEEfest Review: Meet Ryan Radusinovic, the founder of Balkan Comedy Night, a nationally touring comedy showcase bringing Balkan culture, identity, and community together through laughter.

In her latest spotlight, Tanja M. Laden explores Radusinovic’s journey from aspiring screenwriter to stand-up comedian and the story behind a show that celebrates the wonderfully chaotic Balkan experience!

Photo of Ryan Radusinovic by Kayla Adanalian

Read the full spotlight:

Ryan Radusinovic, founder of Balkan Comedy Night. Learn how his Balkan heritage inspired a touring comedy showcase built on culture, identity, laughter.