Veteran-Led NEAAMV Launches MV Shorts LA Film Festival in Culver City as Hollywood Production Shifts Continue

CULVER CITY, Calif. – Nov. 8 – As film studios expand beyond California, Marine Corps veteran Joe Ramirez is turning disruption into momentum for veteran storytellers. Earlier this year, he founded the National Entertainment Awards Academy for Military & Veterans (NEAAMV), and on Nov. 8, the nonprofit debuts the MV Shorts LA Film Festival at the Veterans Memorial Auditorium in Culver City. The festival aims to build industry pathways for veterans at a moment when only 10-20% of U.S. films are made in Hollywood today.

Veteran-Led Academy Targets Access to Hollywood

Ramirez established NEAAMV as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit designed to help veterans transition into film careers with programs centered on a spring gala, film workshops, scholarships for filmmakers, and a film festival and awards show. The mission is to connect military talent with industry networks and opportunities.

“When film production started leaving California, I saw crew members, many of them veterans, scrambling for work,” Ramirez said in a press release. “Veterans already have the skills Hollywood needs: logistics, technical precision, leadership under pressure. But they don’t have the network. We’re building that bridge.”

The shift away from California has intensified competition for jobs and reinforced the influence of established networks. NEAAMV’s approach is to counter those barriers with community, training, and visibility-especially for veterans who bring technical expertise and on-set resilience but may lack connections.

Festival Details: Awards, Screenings, and Industry Exposure

The MV Shorts LA Film Festival on Nov. 8 will showcase short films of under 40 minutes across multiple categories, highlighting work from veterans and non-veterans telling military stories. Winners will receive up to $1,000 in scholarship funds, trophies, and industry recognition. Selected films may also stream on VetStreamTV, a platform dedicated to military and veteran narratives.

More than 150 filmmakers from across the United States have submitted entries. Congressman Brad Sherman (D-California), a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs and Financial Services committees, plans to speak at the festival’s red-carpet event.

Momentum from a Successful Spring Gala

NEAAMV’s launch follows a high-profile gala on May 24 that drew more than 600 attendees and support from film and TV stars Cybill Shepherd and Dennis Quaid. Gerry Byrne, a Marine Corps veteran and vice chairman of Penske Media-parent company of Variety and The Hollywood Reporter-also backed the event.

At the gala, Alysha Haran, a 17-year Navy veteran, won the Overall Award for her acclaimed film “Stone Garden” and received a $5,000 scholarship from NEAAMV.

Overcoming Gatekeeping Through Mentorship

Despite their qualifications, many veterans face hurdles tied to Hollywood’s relationship-driven hiring practices. NEAAMV engages industry professionals to help veterans navigate those complexities.

Jane Austin, a longtime stuntwoman and stunt coordinator who served in the military, said the jump from service to screen can be daunting. “I work with young filmmakers who don’t know SAG-AFTRA processes or how to navigate union rules. NEAAMV connects them with people like me who can open doors, which changes everything,” said Auston, who serves as SAG-AFTRA’s L.A. Military Committee Chair.

Austin volunteers as a mentor across NEAAMV’s programs, including workshops, scholarships, and the short film festival-helping bridge knowledge gaps around unions, production logistics, and professional standards.

Awards, Honors, and Community Spotlight

The festival will also recognize prominent contributors to military storytelling:

• Chris Holmstrom, an L.A. TV journalist known for the award-winning Veterans’ Voices series
• The late Casey Kasem, an Army veteran, “American Top 40” host, and the voice of Shaggy in “Scooby-Doo”

Kerri Kasem will serve as host.

In addition, the program features a fashion show spotlighting veteran designers, hosted by Kerri Kasem and actor Joel Searls, a Marine Corps reservist. Designers include:

• Army veterans Thierry Kepgang, Donna Quach, and Ranee Rubio
• Navy veteran Velt Larant
• Veteran advocate May Bartolini

What’s Next

NEAAMV is positioning the festival as part of a long-term pipeline for veteran filmmakers-one that pairs education and community with recognition and access.

“This isn’t just about handing out awards,” Ramirez said. “It’s about creating a support system so veteran filmmakers can build careers, not just make one film. The veteran community takes care of its own, and we’re extending that into Hollywood.”

Conclusion

With MV Shorts LA, NEAAMV aims to transform Hollywood’s changing landscape into a platform for veteran talent-delivering scholarships, exposure, and industry connections. As studios diversify production hubs nationwide, the organization’s focus on mentorship, recognition, and streaming distribution signals a sustained push to bring more veteran stories to the screen.