Compton film festival names St. John’s Community Health as title sponsor

The 3rd annual Compton's Hub City International Film Festival returns Sept. 25-27, 2026, with St. John’s Community Health as title sponsor and a lineup centered on Compton culture, women in entertainment and youth filmmaking. The festival will feature a Car Wash anniversary screening, world premieres, workshops and a closing awards ceremony across the three-day event.

Why it matters: - The festival is positioning Compton’s creative ecosystem as a community-wide event that spans film, music, education and public health. - St. John’s Community Health’s title sponsorship gives the festival a major institutional backer as it expands its programming around women in entertainment, youth voices and local storytelling. - The lineup includes screenings, workshops and panels that connect artists with practical career guidance and industry access.

What happened: - The 3rd Annual Compton's Hub City International Film Festival returns Sept. 25-27, 2026, in Compton. - St. John’s Community Health is the title sponsor, and Ladies Touch, Inc. is the fiscal sponsor. - This year’s theme is “Ladies Touch: Women in Entertainment.” - Festival Ambassador Camille Tucker, a writer, director, producer, NAACP Image Award nominee and Compton native, represents the theme. - The festival brings together filmmakers, musicians, educators, entertainment professionals, youth, families and community leaders.

The details: - Opening night features a 50th anniversary encore screening of Car Wash. - Director Michael Schultz and select cast members will take part in a Q&A after the screening. - Opening night also includes a documentary celebrating hip-hop group JJ Fad. - The evening closes with a 1970s disco/funk celebration at Odyssey 21. - Saturday opens with remarks from Jim Mangia, president and CEO of St. John’s Community Health, Camille Tucker, Assemblymember Mike Gipson and ML Davis, founder. - Saturday programming includes films by Compton Unified School District students and youth filmmakers. - The day also includes a St. John’s Community Health documentary and a Q&A with Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly Mitchell. - Saturday features the world premiere of Howard Scott: Straight Into Compton, directed by Howard Scott Jr. - Women in Entertainment programming includes Landi Maduro’s “The Filmmaker’s Revenue Blueprint.” - Producer and casting director Monica R. Cooper will lead an Actors Workshop. - The festival will also host an AI Filmmakers Q&A with Dwayne Alexander Smith, Ben Ramsey and Ayanna Henderson. - The Compton Deltas’ Annual Jazz Concert will feature Will Downing. - Sunday includes a speaker appearance by producer Desreta Jackson, known for her role as Young Celie in The Color Purple. - Sunday also brings the premiere of CHOPS, directed by Hakim A. Khalfani. - The festival ends with a closing awards ceremony honoring filmmakers, artists, contributors and community partners. - The festival website is More information.

Between the lines: - The programming mix suggests the festival is trying to do more than screen films; it is also building workforce, mentorship and networking opportunities. - The emphasis on women in entertainment and youth filmmakers points to a deliberate strategy to broaden who gets featured and who gets access. - The inclusion of an AI-focused discussion signals that the festival is linking local creative work to fast-changing industry tools.

What's next: - The festival runs Sept. 25-27, 2026, with screenings, panels, concerts and awards spread across the weekend. - Organizers are expected to use the event to spotlight local talent and deepen community partnerships around future editions. - Attendees can contact the festival by phone at (310) 627-7396 for additional information.