Never missing an opportunity for a gag, Jeong joked that the journey to Catalina’s “Hollywood by the Sea” took “about 19 hours” and quipped that the Festival should consider upgrading him from King to Emperor. In true Catalina fashion, the production team rolled with the bit, flashing an edited onscreen title mid-ceremony—much to Jeong’s delight and the audience’s roaring applause.

The 4-day Catalina Film Festival wrapped its 15th Anniversary on Sunday with Industry Panels: Music to Our Ears - Film Soundtrack, moderated by CFF Co-Founder Delious “Tim” Kennedy (Grammy Award-winning group: All-4-One), featuring Chanda Dancy, Allyson Newman, Youssef Guezoum; Peter Murray, and Logan Gammill.  Festival, Markets & Distribution featuring Heather Brittain; Mitesh Panel, Chandler Film Fest;  Max Geschwind, CAA; and Shawn Quirk.

Other festival highlights included a Roller-Skating Party in the ballroom of the Catalina Casino, annual Lions Den Pitch Panel featuring Lions: Michelle Danner, Director; Thomas Adam, MRC (Knives Out, Saltburn); Jonathan Brostoff, Platinum Dunes (A Quiet Place, The Purge); J.T. Madicus, Star Nova Ventures; Jeff Reynolds Film Producer; Shival Bajpay, Atlas; and the exclusive Wes Craven Horror & Thriller short film block. CFF is the only festival to present an official Wes Craven Award, sanctioned by Wes himself, and posthumously continued on by his family.

For a complete list of the 2025 Catalina Film Festival Award Winners:  www.catalinafilm.org.