Ladyface Mountain Documentary Film Festival (2026)

Ladyface Mountain Film Festival

Experience compelling stories and unforgettable moments at Ladyface Mountain Documentary Film Festival, February 26th - March 1st.  Join us!

Cinépolis Luxury Cinemas Westlake

Join us February 26th through March 1st, 2026 in the Conejo Valley for four days of unforgettable storytelling. The Ladyface Mountain Documentary Film Festival returns for its second year, now hosted at Cinépolis in Westlake Village, with an expanded slate of films, special events, and community gatherings.Our festival celebrates the spirit of adventure, the beauty of the natural world, and the power of documentary filmmaking. From breathtaking landscapes to intimate human stories, you will experience films that transport you across the globe and shine a light on the people and places of our own community. Throughout the weekend, enjoy filmmaker Q&amp;A sessions, networking events, and opportunities to connect with fellow storytellers, outdoor enthusiasts, and film lovers.This year also features our Sunday Awards Brunch, where we will present the 2026 festival awards, including the Kairos Community Visionary Award. Mark your calendar, gather your friends, and get ready for a festival that is as inspiring as the mountains themselves.

Thursday (Day 1)

Join us as we kick off the Ladyface Mountain Documentary Film Festival with our opening night screening! We’ll welcome filmmakers, guests, and our local community with a special presentation.                                                                                                                                                    Whistle Synopsis: An eccentric group of international whistlers descend on Hollywood to compete in the Masters of Musical Whistling, the world’s most prestigious whistling competition. Egos clash, notes soar and tears flow, but only one can be crowned the best whistler of the whole entire planet.

Director: Christopher Nelius

Opening Feature: WHISTLE W/ Q&A's

Join us for our Opening reception at Red O. For a reception with drinks, bites, and music. This is our festival’s big kickoff and a chance for everyone to connect before the weekend of screenings begins.

Open Reception

Friday (Day 2)

Synopsis: Coroner To The Stars chronicles the extraordinary journey of Dr. Thomas Noguchi, the former Los Angeles County Chief Medical Examiner-Coroner whose groundbreaking autopsies forever shaped American culture. From Marilyn Monroe and Robert Kennedy to Sharon Tate and Natalie Wood, Noguchi’s outspoken expertise pushed forensic science into the spotlight—even as Hollywood elites and political adversaries sought to silence him. A Japanese immigrant who unwittingly rose to fame in a city driven by stardom, Noguchi’s fearless pursuit of truth often placed him in the crosshairs of controversy.

Director: Ben Hethcoat, Keita Ideno

Feature: Coroner To The Stars W/ Q&A's

Screening of a group of short docs all with local ties to the greater Conjeo Valley + Q&A w/ Local Filmmakers.  Screenings of:
“Tom Brennan: Skiing For a Lifetime” w/ Director Max Griber in attendance (10:08) 
“Our Hollywood Backyard” w/ Director Brian Rooney in attendance (35:20)
“One Handed Fighter” w/ Director Matthew Meredith in attendance (20:00)
“Chronicles of Peter and Sean” (12:25)
“Fish for the Future” w/ Director Matthew Benton in attendance (5:20)

Short Documentary Block 1 W/ Q&A's 

Screening of a group of short docs all with a central sports theme, including, 
“Icebreakers” w/ Producer/ Co-director Jocelyn Glatzer in attendance (22:00)
“Flying Like a Bird” w/ Director Hanyun Zhang in attendance (12:47)
“Swimming with Butterflies” w/Director Karl Stelter in attendance  (7:44)
“Mother River” w/ Director Jeremiah Schuster in attendance (6:10)
“Strong Grandma”  (15:15)

Short Documentary Block 2 W/ Q&A's 

ynopsis: What is a “cheesemonger?” It’s like a sommelier, but for cheese. It’s less pretentious and more punk rock. In Europe, cheesemongering is a vaunted, prestigious career — but in America, cheesemongering usually means working minimum wage behind a grocery store counter. Adam “Mr. Moo” Moskowitz wants to change things by coaching an underdog American team to victory at the Mondial du Fromage — the Olympics of cheese — in France.

Director: Sara Joe Wolansky

Feature: THE BIG CHEESE W/ Q&A's

Join us for an evening filmmaker mixer at the Hyatt Regency Westlake (but everyone is welcome!). This relaxed networking night brings together filmmakers, industry guests, and festival attendees for meaningful conversation and connection. Enjoy cocktails and light appetizers in a warm, welcoming setting.

Filmmaker Networking Party

Saturday (Day 3) 

A “Hodgepodge” screening of a group of short docs with no central theme, including, 
“The Conscience Files” w/ Director Brian Bolster in attendance (13:30)
“Valley Under Fire” w/ Director Gregory Robinson in attendance (9:45)
“Saving Superman” w/ Director Sammir Poorian in attendance (10:33)
“Call to Serve” w/ Director Cole Sax in attendance (10:33)
“Artic Alhcamy” (29:05)

Short Documentary Block 3 W/ Q&A's 

Synopsis: Terry is a legendary figure in Baja Mexico, an American veteran who has spent decades living on—and in—the water. Once a man burdened by a troubled past, Terry's life was transformed by an unlikely friendship with Willy, a 22-foot oceanic manta ray. For nearly two decades, Willy would slap his wings against the hull of Terry's sailboat to signal their next dive, and together they explored the ocean's depths—an extraordinary bond that turned Terry into an unexpected conservationist. Now in his 80's, Terry embarks on one final journey to a remote island in hopes of reuniting with his old friend. But he's also searching for something deeper: peace, closure, and a chance to say goodbye.

Director: Cody Sheehy

Feature: THE LAST DIVE  W/ Q&A's

Screening of a group of short docs all with a central theme of Human/ Animal interactions, including, 
“Bears in Hot Tubs” w/ Director Claire Musser in attendance (16:29)
“Mother of Chooks”  (18:49)
“Folsom’s Run” w/ Director Evan Morton in attendance (15:50)
“Love Birds” w/ Director Elliott Kennerson and Subject Molly Warner in attendance (27:40)
“Oh Whale” (25:50)

Short Documentary Block 4 W/ Q&A's 

Synopsis: Five top-ranked high school oratory students spend a year crafting spellbinding spoken word performances with the dream of winning the world’s largest and most intense public speaking competition.

Director: Jennifer Tiexiera

Feature: SPEAK. W/ Q&A's

Join us for our Closing Night Reception as we celebrate the filmmakers, artists, and community who made this year’s festival unforgettable. Enjoy drinks, music, and conversation as we wrap up Day Three and look ahead to Sunday’s Awards Brunch. This is a chance to connect with fellow storytellers and reflect on the films that moved us throughout the weekend.

Closing Night Reception

Sunday (Day 4)

Join us for our Awards Brunch as we celebrate the filmmakers and stories that defined this year’s festival. Enjoy brunch, conversation, and the presentation of our 2026 Ladyface Mountain Documentary Film Festival awards, including the Kairos Community Visionary Award. This relaxed gathering brings together filmmakers, partners, and the local community to close out the festival on a high note.


VIP Brunch and Awards Ceremony 

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