Johnny Wactor's final film to premiere at LA film festival 1 year after actor's murder

Johnny Wactor's final film to premiere soon

Johnny Wactor was shot and killed in downtown Los Angeles one year ago. He was shot while trying to stop thieves from taking his catalytic converter. Now, more than a year after his death, his final film will soon premiere at a Hollywood film festival.

LOS ANGELES - Sunday marks one year since actor Johnny Wactor was murdered in downtown Los Angeles. Now, family and friends are now learning the artist’s final work was just accepted to the upcoming 2025 Dances with Film Festival.

"It’s just crazy with this film about to premiere, knowing that’s where his mind was in those final days," said fellow actor and friend Micah Joe Parker.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: 'General Hospital' actor Johnny Wactor shot dead confronting catalytic converter thieves

The backstory:

On May 25, 2024, Wactor confronted thieves in downtown LA who were trying to steal his car’s catalytic converter.

The actor, best known for his role in General Hospital, was shot dead at just 37-years-old.

"He had no problem stepping into the fray," said Parker. "It’s how he went out from this world, stepping in front of his friend to take a bullet. [When that happened] I said, I’ll take the swings and arrows for him now."

Mother of Johnny Wactor speaks out

Scarlett Wactor, the mother of actor Johnny Wactor who was killed by catalytic converter thieves in downtown LA, spoke to FOX 11 about the latest in the investigation.

Parker spent much of the last year fighting for his best friend, holding press conferences and anti-crime marches across the city demanding justice.

In August, about three months after the killing, four suspected Florencia 13 gang members were arrested in connection with Wactor’s murder.

"Johnny was a victim," said Parker. "He was a victim of this crime, but he lived his life as anything but a victim.  He was a doer. He was a dreamer. So, that’s where we’re turning the page now."

What's next:

The actor’s final work was recorded in 2022, but is now about to hit the big screen.

"The last voice note I had from him [was about] 2 days before he was killed. We had just gotten a new cut of the film," said Parker. "He dropped in a voice note to just give us some encouragement."

Just this week, it was announced the film, "Ciao, Mama," will premiere at LA’s Dances with Film Festival on June 24th, at TCL Cinemas in Hollywood.

What they're saying:

"It’s really important to me, and his family, that his legacy lives on for the incredible things he brought to the world," said Parker.

RELATED: Johnny Wactor: Charges filed against suspects in actor's death

Parker says the movie is about family, friendship, and love. Something he believes is parallel with his late best friend’s life.

"The tag line for our film is goodbyes are bulls---*," said Parker. "Because really, are goodbyes really final? People that leave us are still with us in some powerful way."

For ticket information and more, click HERE.