The film premiered in March 2018 at the Columbus International Film & Animation Festival and was released by Gravitas Ventures on May 1, 2018.[6]
Reception
Aaron Peterson of The Hollywood Outsider praised Cortez's acting and wrote that the film is "emphatically worth the visit".[7]
Matthew Parkinson of Cinemarter.com gave it a middling review: "Fishbowl California is a harmless but unambitious indie comedy".[8]
Jeff York of the Chicago Independent Film Critic's Circle noted, "There's a quiet nobility to these has-been's and never-was' on display in Fishbowl California. This little indie-that-could will put a lump in your throat, in between laughs. The movie is quite the Valentine to the town and its lovable eccentrics."[9]
John Arkelian of Artsforum Magazine gave it a "B-/B", saying the story has "a quirky sensibility, with nice dryly comedic bits with assorted supporting players."[10]