Agoura Hills hosts inaugural Lady Face Mountain Film Festival with strong community support

The recent Agoura Hills City Council meeting highlighted the success of the inaugural Lady Face Mountain Film Festival, which took place from February 6 to 8, 2025. Mayor Sylvester and several council members actively participated in the event, which showcased a variety of documentaries and attracted hundreds of attendees over its three-day run.

Council member Klein Lopez praised the festival's intimate atmosphere, noting that filmmakers were present throughout the event, allowing for meaningful interactions with the audience. This engagement was a key feature that attendees appreciated, as it provided deeper insights into the filmmakers' projects.

The festival was a culmination of a long-term goal set by the Cultural Arts Council, which aimed to establish a documentary film festival in Agoura Hills over a decade ago. The successful execution of this event has sparked enthusiasm among residents and city officials alike, with many expressing a desire for it to become an annual occurrence.

Looking ahead, the council is already in discussions with the Las Virgenes Unified School District to potentially host future festivals at the high school's performing arts center, especially as the Agora Regency venue will no longer be available. This collaboration aims to support local students in film programs and further enrich the community's cultural offerings.

The meeting concluded with a sense of optimism for the future of the arts in Agoura Hills, as council members acknowledged the contributions of community members like Joe Litzinger and Ali Erush, who played pivotal roles in bringing the festival to life. The council's commitment to fostering cultural events reflects a broader goal of enhancing community engagement and support for the arts.