BEVERLY HILLS, CA (March 13, 2025) – A milestone is upon us as the Beverly Hills Film Festival® (BHFF) commemorates its 25th anniversary with six days of cinematic celebrations from April 1-6, 2025. The festival, one of the most prestigious and influential in the world, will bring together filmmakers, industry professionals, and movie enthusiasts in the heart of Beverly Hills to celebrate a quarter-century of film artistry.
With over 350 films in competition, the 25th edition promises a star-studded experience featuring world premieres, red carpet events, and incredible cinematic talent. The festival will kick off on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, with the World Premiere of Hello Beautiful, based on the life of cancer survivor Christine Handy. The screening will be followed by All There Is, another World Premiere starring Jason Priestley and Mena Suvari, as well as the West Coast Premiere of American Badass: A Michael Madsen Retrospective, featuring appearances from Hollywood icons like Quentin Tarantino, John Travolta, and Charlie Sheen.
The festival will hold its Opening Night Red Carpet arrivals at 5 p.m., followed by film screenings starting at 1:15 p.m. at the TCL Chinese 6 Theatres, located at Ovation Hollywood (6801 Hollywood Boulevard). The festivities continue with an exclusive Opening Night After Party at The Beverly Hilton, the site of the Closing Night Awards Gala.
“We’re going big AND going home!” says Nino Simone, President and Founder of the festival. “This anniversary is unlike any other. We’re celebrating 25 years of festival magic while ushering in a new era and exclusive partnership with The Beverly Hilton.”
The prestigious Beverly Hilton will also serve as the host for the Closing Night Awards Gala on Sunday, April 6, 2025. This marquee event, which is sold out year after year, will recognize the festival’s Jury winners and honor distinguished figures in the world of cinema. A star-studded evening will unite filmmakers and screenwriters whose work has helped define the festival’s incredible legacy.
“We are delighted to partner with the Beverly Hills Film Festival to welcome filmmakers, guests, and movie enthusiasts to The Beverly Hilton,” says David Ecija, General Manager of the hotel. “As an iconic hotel with deep ties to film, artistry, and Hollywood history, we’re proud to be part of this milestone celebration.”
Festival Highlights and Opening Night Films
The 25th annual Beverly Hills Film Festival will feature a packed program of international masterpieces, premieres, and documentaries. Here’s a preview of some of the key screenings for opening night on April 1, 2025:
- Hello Beautiful (World Premiere) – Directed by Ziad Hamzeh: The powerful drama tells the story of Willow, a successful model whose life is upended by a breast cancer diagnosis. Based on the bestselling novel Walk Beside Me by Christine Handy, the film explores resilience, identity, and the strength of the human spirit. Cast confirmed to attend: Tricia Helfer.
- All There Is (World Premiere) – Directed by Kit Williamson: This film follows a troubled teenager whose world is shattered by a tragedy involving her best friend. Cast confirmed to attend: Jason Priestley, Mena Suvari, Elsie Fisher.
- Cash Collector (World Premiere) – Directed by Dominique Milano: A gripping look at a new breed of reality TV, where a highly trained team of agents collects illegal cash stashes. Cast confirmed to attend: Angie Everhart, Michael Madsen, Costas Mandylor.
- Vespertine (Short Film) – Produced by Jillian Shea Spaeder: A powerful story of four long-lost friends reunited under traumatic circumstances. Cast confirmed to attend: Brittany Ishibashi, Kate French, Rena Sofer.
- Welcome to Klyde’s Kitchen (Short Film) – Directed by Sonia Bajaj: This film explores the transformation of a young executive sentenced to community service at a homeless shelter. Cast confirmed to attend: Beau Bridges, Ezekiel Bridges, Sana Saeed.
Special Screenings and Documentaries
The festival will also feature several highly anticipated documentary features, including:
Resurgo: Detroit (Directed by Stephen McGee) – Wednesday, April 2, 5:45 p.m.: A documentary about Detroit’s dramatic comeback, chronicling the story of the city’s transformation from the wealthiest city in America to its post-industrial ruins.
Martin Scorsese, My Life in Music (Directed by Clara Kuperberg, Julia Kuperberg) – Wednesday, April 2, 6 p.m.: A fascinating look at the legendary filmmaker’s deep relationship with music, showcasing its vital role in his cinematic storytelling.
Longevity Hackers (Directed by Michal Siewierski) – Thursday, April 3, 9:15 p.m.: Narrated by Edward Norton, this documentary explores the latest scientific breakthroughs in longevity, anti-aging, and life extension.
Closing Night and Awards
The festival will close with the highly anticipated Closing Night Film – Dwelling Among the Gods (Directed by Vuk Ršumovic) – on Saturday, April 5, 8:15 p.m. This intense feature tells the story of a young Afghan woman navigating a tragic journey to Europe while confronting the loss of her brother.
The BHFF Jury will also present a range of awards recognizing the best films in multiple categories, including Best Feature Film, Best Documentary, Best Director, Best Actor/Actress, and more.
Festival Information
The 25th Annual International Beverly Hills Film Festival® runs from April 1-6, 2025, featuring a dynamic array of films, screenings, and industry events. For the complete festival program, daily schedule, tickets, and passes, visit beverlyhillsfilmfestival.com.
About the Beverly Hills Film Festival
Founded in 2000 by filmmaker Nino Simone, the Beverly Hills Film Festival has long been recognized as one of the most influential film festivals in the world. By bridging international films with Hollywood’s entertainment epicenter, BHFF continues to support groundbreaking filmmakers and cinematic innovations from around the globe.
For more information, visit www.beverlyhillsfilmfestival.com or follow BHFF on social media:
- Facebook: facebook.com/thebhfilmfest
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