DaVinci International Film Festival Concludes Landmark 8th Edition With Sold-Out Success at The Grove in Los Angeles
Festival honors Oscar nominees Randall Wallace and Shohreh Aghdashloo, debuts RecFest, and announces major 2027 global expansion to Europe, Africa, and Canada.
Los Angeles, October 1, 2026 — The DaVinci International Film Festival (DIFF) successfully wrapped its 8th annual event, held September 25–26 at The Grove. Marking a milestone year of sold-out screenings and standing-room-only crowds, the festival celebrated global independent cinema, landmark honorees, and exciting major expansions for 2027.
Opening night set a vibrant and unforgettable tone as founders and special guests donned traditional kilts to honor Oscar-nominated screenwriter Randall Wallace (Braveheart). British Consulate General Paul Rennie took the stage to present Wallace with DIFF’s prestigious Visionary Award®. The celebratory opening night festivities were further elevated by an opening reception hosted by Belhaven Brewery.
The star-studded weekend continued with a series of acclaimed screenings and presentations. Oscar-nominated actress Shohreh Aghdashloo captivated audiences by accepting the Leo Award for Best Short Film on behalf of Iranian filmmakers for Farewell Day. Meanwhile, festivalgoers turned out in droves for the powerful feature documentary Growth, resulting in a sold-out, standing-room-only triumph.
DIFF’s commitment to championing screenwriting also took center stage as its competition, out of Storyline, hosted a dynamic Writers' Corner event. Professional actors brought finalist scripts to life with live readings projected on the big screen, with the Leo Award for Best Screenplay ultimately presented to 12:37 The King David Hotel. The session was immediately followed by an exclusive, one-on-one professional writer panel featuring top industry veterans Creighton Rothenberger (Olympus Has Fallen, London Has Fallen, The Expendables 3), John Macinnes (Call of Duty), and Barbara Stepansky (Outlander).
Building on this momentum, the festival proudly launched the inaugural year of RecFest, a groundbreaking new platform dedicated to short adventure documentaries. Zahir was honored with the event's first-ever Black Diamond Award™, marking the start of RecFest’s official expansion to British Columbia beginning in 2027.
Looking ahead to an ambitious future, DIFF announced major global milestones for 2027. The festival will host their must-attend DaVinci Masquerade event in Cannes, expand its international footprint with residency programs in Nairobi, and launch its exclusive streaming platform for DIFF alumni, DaVinciPlus.
2027 Official Award Winners:
• Visionary Award®: Randall Wallace
• Feature Film: On a String
• Short Film: Farewell Day
• Feature Documentary: Kikuyu Land
• Short Documentary: Cumbria II
• Screenplay: 12:37 The King David Hotel
• Animation: Snorri: Catch Me If You Candy!
• Junior Leo® Award: Wildcat
• RecFest™ Black Diamond Award: Zahir
Stay connected with all things DIFF on Instagram at @davincifilmfestival and online at davincifilmfestival.com as the festival looks forward to an even bigger 9th edition in 2027.
"Honoring Randall Wallace wasn't just a highlight of our festival; it was a deeply personal milestone," shared Founder & Executive Director Chadwick Pelletier. "As a filmmaker and screenwriter, Randall’s body of work has fundamentally shaped my own journey behind the lens. To present him with our Visionary Award for his masterworks, alongside a special screening of Braveheart, embodies the very soul of what we do: celebrating the storytellers who forever change how we see the world.” - Chadwick Pelletier
DIFF's 8th Edition would not have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors and partners. We extend our deepest gratitude to the St. Andrews Society, Belhaven Brewery, the Association for the Recovery of Children, Ally, Atlas Free, Velvet Eyewear, NIKKI, Sogno Restaurant, SkyFather Films, JustWrite Coffee Co., and FilmBC Group for their invaluable partnership in championing independent cinema and empowering our global community of creators.
Photos by Sheri Determan, Kevin Boot.
MACRO TELEVISION STUDIOS AND MANSA STUDIOS TO CO-FINANCE, DEVELOP AND PRODUCE PREMIUM VERTICAL SERIES
LOS ANGELES — MACRO Television Studios and MANSA Studios announced today that they will jointly develop, finance and produce an original premium vertical series. The deal will have the two studios bring premium storytelling to the rapidly growing mobile entertainment market and allow the companies to explore how elevated stories and talent can translate to the vertical format while generating audience and distribution insights.
For the vertical series, MACRO Television Studios and MANSA Studios will share ownership of the underlying intellectual property, participate in the project’s creative and strategic direction—including development, marketing and promotion. MANSA Studios will serve as the lead production company, applying its vertical-native infrastructure, production experience with technology and audience insights from distributing mobile-first vertical entertainment specifically for mobile audiences. MACRO Television Studios will bring its premium development and production pedigree, creative relationships and track record of building culturally relevant, commercially viable programming.
“MANSA has developed real expertise in the emerging vertical format, and we see this as an exciting opportunity to pair that experience with MACRO Television Studios’ vast capabilities across genres,” said Charles D. King, Founder and CEO, MACRO. “We are looking forward to learning from the collaboration and seeing how audiences respond and explore innovation opportunities for the format.”
“MANSA was created to ensure that culturally rich stories can reach audiences wherever they are,” said David Oyelowo, Co-Founder, MANSA Studios. “As viewing habits evolve, we are embracing new storytellers, formats and platforms that allow us to remain connected to our global audience while creating meaningful opportunities for a diverse array of talent.”
About MANSA Studios
MANSA Studios is a global technology company and media studio showcasing diaspora-focused content for a worldwide audience. Co-founded by David Oyelowo and Nate Parker, Mansa develops, produces, and distributes film, television, and short-form content across a growing portfolio of platforms, including its free, ad-supported streaming service and FAST channels. Operating as a full-service studio and distribution company, Mansa supports projects across the entire lifecycle, from development through theatrical, digital, and emerging formats including vertical micro-dramas.
To learn more, visit corporate.mansa.com
Actor and Recording Artist Shedrack Anderson III Releases Third Album Let It Fall, A Soulful R&B Experience
From Steven Spielberg’s Hook to Fat Albert, Shedrack Anderson III continues expanding his creative legacy across film, television, and music.
Multi-talented Actor and Recording Artist Shedrack Anderson III released his new album, Let It Fall, on May 20, 2026, now streaming worldwide across all major digital platforms. Blending smooth R&B with jazz-inspired textures, melodic warmth, and uplifting rhythms, the project delivers a soulful listening experience centered on release, reflection, transformation, and emotional renewal.
The 10-track collection showcases Anderson’s continued growth as both a recording artist and storyteller. Crafted as a mood-driven body of work, Let It Fall moves effortlessly through moments of late-night drives, creative inspiration, workouts, relaxation, and introspection. Rich instrumentation, cinematic production, and emotive vocals highlight his ability to merge timeless musicianship with a contemporary R&B sound that feels both grounded and expansive.
The project blends R&B, soul, and cinematic-inspired storytelling across standout tracks including “Let It Fall,” Night Drive,” “Midnight Moan,” and “If Loving You Is Right.” Listeners can stream the album on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, TIDAL, Pandora, Deezer, and other major platforms.
In support of the release, Anderson is currently producing a music video for the title track, “Let It Fall,” scheduled for release in late summer 2026. The visual component is designed to further expand the album’s emotional atmosphere and cinematic tone.
Now on his third official album release, Anderson continues exploring themes of healing, resilience, self-discovery, and emotional connection through music. His previous project, Hamilton Park, fused soul, hip hop, jazz, classical influences, and trap production rooted in both his Southern upbringing and Juilliard-trained artistry. His earlier release, Enigmology, further established his signature sound through introspective songwriting and soulful R&B ballads.
Alongside his music career, Anderson remains active in film, recently completing work on a feature film project while preparing for an upcoming production.
A respected figure in entertainment for decades, Anderson first appeared as a Lost Boy in Steven Spielberg’s Hook before gaining national recognition as Jermaine Green in NBC’s Just Deal. He later starred as Rudy in Fat Albert, earning recognition for balancing humor, emotional depth, and commanding screen presence.
His additional credits include Gracie’s Choice alongside Kristen Bell, Anne Heche, and Diane Ladd, as well as roles in Boston Public, The Parkers, The Division, Disney’s Phil of the Future, and the independent feature Blood River, which he also wrote and directed.
Beyond performance, Anderson is a director, producer, choreographer, educator, entrepreneur, and wellness advocate. A graduate of The Juilliard School, he studied theatre, dance, and music while performing with Ballet Hispanico, Los Angeles Ballet, and Ballet Pacifica.
Actor. Singer. Musician. Director. Producer. Teacher. Entrepreneur. Husband. Father. Shedrack Anderson III continues defining the modern multi-hyphenate artist with Let It Fall, a refined and emotionally resonant musical statement rooted in purpose, discipline, and creative evolution.
Official Links:
Shedrack Anderson - Let It Fall
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Facebook: @shedrack1
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Website: www.shedrackanderson.com