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Frieze Week Los Angeles 2025

The 2025 Frieze Los Angeles Film Award Fellows Introduce Their Films

This year’s Deutsche Bank Frieze Los Angeles Film Award Fellows discuss their works on the theme of ‘Togetherness’ and biggest influences

in Collaborations , Frieze Los Angeles , Frieze Week Magazine | 10 FEB 25
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Returning for its sixth year, the Deutsche Bank Frieze Los Angeles Film Award, in partnership with TV and film studio FIFTH SEASON and the non-profit Ghetto Film School, gives a platform and development programme to emerging Los Angeles-based filmmakers aged 18 to 34 to realize a new moving-image work. This year, the films are inspired by the theme of ‘Togetherness’, which has taken on an additional resonance in the wake of the Los Angeles wildfires this year.

The six Fellows in the 2025 competition talk about their works, inspirations and influences…

Guinevere Alcaraz

My film 

Sexy Villains is a character-driven dramedy about two young women, Prudence and Stephanie, navigating friendship, ambition and chaos during a wild night out in Los Angeles. Prudence balances her responsible nature with dreams of success, while the impulsive and emotional Stephanie grapples with heartbreak. Their bond is tested and reaffirmed through witty banter, conflict and heartfelt moments, highlighting the complexities of friendship and personal growth.’

Guinevere Alcaraz, still from Sexy Villains, 2024
Guinevere Alcaraz, still from Sexy Villains, 2025

My biggest influence 

‘Wong Kar-wai’s poetic storytelling, lush visuals and deeply emotional characters resonate profoundly with me. His integration of the social and political climate and his ability to capture fleeting moments, unspoken desires and the melancholy of time inspires me. His artistry shows how mood and texture can transcend words, creating timeless, deeply personal and universally relatable cinema.’

Ja’Lisa Arnold

My film

Grief Cannot Exist Without Joy centers on Tobi, a talented musician, struggling with the recent loss of his brother Lou. His only path to healing is to complete an unfinished song dedicated to his sibling.’

Grief, 2024
Ja’Lisa Arnold, still from Grief, 2025

My biggest influence

‘My friend and mentor Daniel Wolfe has been the biggest influence on me as a filmmaker. Often the biggest hurdle in a filmmaker’s development is finding their own voice. It’s been incredible to have someone help me build and nurture that. The visceral and subversive nature of his work is also something I aspire to achieve in everything I make.’

Austin Chen

My film

Red Pocket is a surreal comedy-drama that follows a young woman through an anxiety-ridden dinner with her family. However, when a magical red envelope appears that seemingly contains an infinite amount of money, they must decide what’s more important: family or fortune.’

Austin Chen, still from Red Pocket, 2024
Austin Chen, still from Red Pocket, 2025

My biggest influence

‘Hiro Murai’s blend of drama, comedy and surrealism has influenced how I tell my stories. His level of restraint in deciding not to explain everything but instead allow the audience to interpret the situation for themselves is something that I hope to do in my own work.’

Nicole Mairose Dizon

My film

The Pit is my love letter to home. It follows a miner consoling his grieving son, Iggy, who, after venturing out around his hometown, rediscovers the beauty of life and connecting. Living in Baldwin Park, I obsessed over Irwindale’s mines and aggregate – the material used to construct our freeways. These roads are the threads that allow us to venture into different communities. This film honours the miners who have made this possible and explores our collective need for connection.’ 

Nicole Mairose Dizon, still from The Pit, 2024
Nicole Mairose Dizon, still from The Pit, 2025

My biggest influence

‘Hiroshi Teshigahara had the biggest influence on my film’s poetic visual language, energy and soundscape. Like him, I immortalize my home and my version of a Sisyphean struggle. In my idealized view, I juxtaposed intimate moments with the vastness of LA County’s sprawling landscape – a character in its own right.’

Christopher Guerrero

My film

Reprogrammed is set in retro-future LA, where Andrea, a lonely roboticist, has neglected her life to complete her masterpiece, IRIS, the “Integrated Reactive Intelligence System.” She finishes IRIS and it’s a miracle: IRIS is alive! In the process of teaching her creation the ropes of being sentient, Andrea realizes she needs to patch up her own relationship with her father. By giving birth to artificial life, she learns how to live a better organic one.’ 

Christopher Guerrero
Christopher Guerrero, still from Reprogrammed​​​​​​, 2025

My biggest influence

‘Growing up in Fresno, I can’t remember a time when movies weren’t a part of my life. I always had an outsider view of film until I discovered Guillermo del Toro. Seeing a nerdy Latino filmmaker who isn’t afraid to blend authentic drama, comedy and sci-fi made me feel like I could do it too.’

Sophia Lafaurie-Muñoz

My film

Estrella is a live-action/animated short film about a young adult named Luz trying to figure out who, or what, they are supposed to be on this earth. After an unproductive argument with their mom leaves them feeling lonely, they’re transported to the cosmos by an animated friend who shows them they are never truly alone on this journey of self-discovery. But is the universe big enough for Luz’s dreams?’

Sophia Lafaurie Munoz, still from Estrella, 2024
Sophia Lafaurie-Muñoz, still from Estrella, 2025

My biggest influence

While I cannot pinpoint a specific film/filmmaker as my main influence, I take inspiration from the media I grew up with, as well as how I view the world and how it views me. From Jim Henson to John Waters, pride and nostalgia are my influences.’

Find out more about the Award and vote for your favourite film in this year’s Audience Award.

This article first appeared in Frieze Week Los Angeles magazine under the title ‘Together Now’. 

Further Information

Frieze Los Angeles, 20 – 23 February 2025, Santa Monica Airport.

Frieze is proud to support the LA Arts Community Fire Fund, led by the J. Paul Getty Trust. In addition to Frieze’s contribution, 10% of the value of all newly purchased tickets is being donated to the fund. 

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Frieze Los Angeles is supported by global lead partner Deutsche Bank, continuing its legacy of celebrating artistic excellence on an international scale.

Main image: Nicole Mairose Dizon, still from The Pit, 2025

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