Celebrating 25 Years of the Beverly Hills Film Festival on the Red Carpet

By Néya Sridhar

On April 3, 2025, the Beverly Hills Film Festival held its 3rd night of events for its 25th anniversary. Filmmakers came to the famous TCL Chinese Theater to celebrate their achievements. Here are some highlights from the red carpet portion of the night.

As previously covered, the cast and crew of both Ruin Falls and June made an appearance on the red carpet. 

Actors Finn Dullnig and Tony Stevens of Ruin Falls speak of their times as Teenage Ethan and Kyle. “He is coming from a point where he’s growing up and wants to branch out, so he’s kind of over all of the childish things that he and Ethan have been doing all of his life, so a tension is created,” Stevens recalled. “Stress and tension in general in a friendship can really make it just crumble to dust,” Dullnig agreed. 

Finn Dullnig | Credit: Livia Wippich / Beverly Hills Film Festival 

Dullnig gives insight on their character’s journey through grief. “He’s beautifully naive. Ethan tries to work through his grief by remembering a time that he’s actually happy. He tries to force himself to feel like he did before without actually trying to do any of the things he needs to grow and move on with life,” Dullnig said. 

Playing Kyle taught Stevens valuable lessons: “ Do not take anything for granted and what you’ve been given. Notice your friends, notice your family, even when you’re trying to move forward in life.” 

Tony Stevens | Credit: Livia Wippich / Beverly Hills Film Festival 

Filmmakers Ben Holland and Taylor Burke of June and Last Stop Paris talk about their experiences working on two films. “June is such a slice-of-life film,” Burke commented. “A great thing about the two films is that there was a lot of overlap between the crews, we all went to UC Santa Barbara together,” Burke mentioned. 

Taylor Burke | Credit: Livia Wippich / Beverly Hills Film Festival 

“Small fish in a big pond. Having all of us here for the two films is a great support system. We keep pushing each other to keep making better films,” Holland noted. 

Ben Holland / Credit: Livia Wippich / Beverly Hills Film Festival 

Director of Last Stop Paris, Christian Aceves, and producer, Joo Yeon Yoo, speak on what the film meant to them. “I think especially right now, there is a severe lack of empathy. Our film is about two strangers crossing paths and connecting; in a very peculiar way, but connecting nonetheless. It all comes down to what makes us human, which is empathy,” Aceves said. 

Christian Aceves / Credit: Livia Wippich / Beverly Hills Film Festival 

Yeon Yoo stated, “Of course we all have different lives, and we go through many different things. However, there is something that we all align with. In our film, it was unfortunately a heartbreak. But with this coincidence, our characters get to come together, empathize with each other, and be their support.

Joo Yeon Yoo / Credit: Livia Wippich / Beverly Hills Film Festival 

Many talented artists were seen on the carpet as well. Magician, illusionist, and actor Day Mori had advice to those looking to enter the industry. “Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Seek mentorship. When I asked a casting director I worked with for help, she sent me a ton of resources,” said Mori. 

Day Mori / Credit: Livia Wippich / Beverly Hills Film Festival 

Anthony Francisco, the man who designed Baby Groot, came as a panelist on this day. “Be patient with yourself and work through your insecurities, they are the only things that stop you,” Francisco advised. 

Anthony Francisco / Credit: Livia Wippich / Beverly Hills Film Festival 

Elvira Sinelnik and Mariel Chledowska of Oratorio expand on how their film is about the illusion of love. “Our main message is to encourage people to share feelings with the one you love and to open your heart in time. Sometimes when you hide your true emotions, when you don’t say ‘I love you,’ the case can pass,” said Chledowska. “We need to step out of all the illusions of all the thoughts, and just become ourselves. Love yourself first, don’t run after someone,” Sinelnik added. 

Mariel Chledowska (left), Elvira Sinelnik (right) / Credit: Livia Wippich / Beverly Hills Film Festival 

Glenna Burmer, the creator of the animated film, Bippy The Little Robot, had a message to share. “No matter how devastating the circumstances are, and no matter how terrible the external environment can be; the fact is you have hope, and you can give other people hope,” she said. 

Glenna Burmer / Credit: Livia Wippich / Beverly Hills Film Festival 

Michael Copon, a producer of Prisoners of War, proudly shared his Filipino heritage. “I am Filipino Heritage, so this was something that I really wanted to bring back to the Philippines, and tell Filipino stories. When they initially approached me about doing a World War II film, I really wanted to pull this over to the Philippines,” he stated. 

Michael Copon / Credit: Livia Wippich / Beverly Hills Film Festival 

David Kobzantsev, the writer, director, and producer of Gold Hearts of Hot Rod Country shared his 80s cinema classic-inspired film. “I think the idea of staying in your lane, which was a theme in the film, is not something that you have to take to heart,” said Shayla Stensby, the lead actress of the film. “Growing up is about finding your own lane,” said actor Travis Joe Dixon. 

Shayla Stensby, David Kobzantsev, Travis Joe Dixon / Credit: Livia Wippich / Beverly Hills Film Festival 

Calyn Shaw, producer and co-writer of the film Bribe Inc., created a story as an investigative journalist on the biggest bribery scandal in the world. The film took about 5 years to develop, as it is a documentary film. “People often think of bribery as a victimless crime. Our film is built around this little company in Monaco that was paying hundreds of million dollars in bribes. It is a quest for accountability,” he stated.

Calyn Shaw / Credit: Livia Wippich / Beverly Hills Film Festival 

Melissa Balan, the producer of the short comedy, Vipers, hopes that people empathize with the main character of the film. “It’s really about her learning to stand up for herself, and how to fight against the big, scary, people in the room,” she noted. 

Melissa Balan / Credit: Livia Wippich / Beverly Hills Film Festival 

The third night of the Beverly Hills Film Festival showcased the passion and vision of filmmakers and artists worldwide. From personal stories, to global narratives empathy, each voice on the red carpet contributed to the power of storytelling. As the festival continues its 25th anniversary celebration, it’s clear that its legacy lies not only in the films, but in the people behind them.