The Los Angeles International Short Film Festival, commonly known as LA Shorts Fest, is one of the world's most prestigious and largest international short film festivals, founded by Robert Arentz in 1997. It is the longest-running short film festival in Los Angeles. The festival is accredited by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, making its award winners eligible for Oscar nomination. It also serves as an official qualifying event for the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) short film awards, the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television (ACCT) Canadian Screen Awards, and the Goya Awards from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences of Spain. Annually, the festival screens hundreds of films and attracts thousands of attendees, including industry professionals and emerging filmmakers.