Last Sunday, MPI filmmakers, mentors, and friends gathered in Los Angeles, California, for a memorable Oscars Watch Party—a night that celebrated cinema’s biggest event while strengthening the connections within our growing filmmaker network.

With around 55 attendees, the event struck the perfect balance between lively and intimate. It wasn’t just a celebration — it was the kind of evening where meaningful discussions sparked ideas for future collaborations. As one participant noted, “I was able to meet a great group of new filmmakers I had never encountered before, which is always valuable to my career moving forward.”

The guest list included participants from MPI’s Short Film Lab, Mentorship Program, and Documentary Storytelling Workshop, along with new faces. The evening also had a touch of Oscars magic thanks to the presence of MPI filmmaker Elizabeth Mirzaei and her husband, Guillistan—both former Oscar nominees. 

The venue’s Old Hollywood charm set the tone, with attendees dressing for the occasion, filling out prediction ballots, and cheering on their favorites throughout the show.

Whether celebrating Anora’s win — a victory that felt especially meaningful for independent filmmakers — or reconnecting with fellow creatives over shared projects and future plans, the night captured what MPI’s filmmaker network is all about: building relationships, celebrating the craft, and supporting each other’s creative journeys.

If you want to become part of this dynamic network, click here to learn how to get involved.