The first-ever World Culture Film Festival (WCFF) dazzled Los Angeles over the weekend with its international roster of films and star-studded lineup of honorees. Hosted by the Art of Living Foundation at the Regal Cinemas, the four-day event brought over 60 films from around the globe to the silver screen while recognizing visionary talents pushing boundaries in global cinema.
Among those shining brightly were Avenger star Tom Holland and Oscar-nominated filmmaker Pawo Choyning Dorji. Holland earned the festival’s Outstanding Achievement in the Performing Arts award for his directorial debut “Last Call,” a tense family drama he helmed alongside brother Harry. Accepting the honor on his behalf, Sony Pictures Executive VP Palak Patel praised Holland’s commitment to evolving behind the camera and supporting independent voices.
Dorji’s impact stretched even farther as he picked up two top prizes. His drama “The Monk and the Gun,” set amid Bhutan’s transition to democracy, captured the coveted Best Feature award. But it was Dorji’s career achievements, notably for shepherding 2019’s “Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom” to become the first Bhutanese Oscar nominee, that earned him the festival’s Luminary award. In his heartfelt acceptance speech, the filmmaker encouraged aspiring directors to authentically share their stories, saying they create “illusions to show the true reality.”
Other notable winners included the immersive documentary “Eskawata Kayawai,” following an Indigenous group’s cultural resurgence in the Amazon. As the inaugural WCFF wrapped, organizers revealed plans to return in 2025, underscoring its vital role in promoting thought-provoking global cinema that inspires audiences.
