Marking its 25th anniversary, the San Diego International Film Festival today unveiled its highly anticipated 2026 Festival slate. The schedule features a dynamic collection of movies from around the world that showcases bold voices, compelling stories and the extraordinary power of cinema to entertain, inspire and spark conversation. 

Set against the stunning backdrop of California’s coastline, the festival has grown into one of the region’s premier cultural celebrations. It will bring together filmmakers, industry leaders and audiences for six unforgettable days of discovery, dialogue and connection.

This year’s Main Slate showcases a lineup from 22 countries, including eight world premieres, selected from a record-breaking 3,500 submissions. The program features a diverse array of narrative films, documentaries, shorts and animation. Among the highly anticipated titles in this year’s lineup is Martin McDonagh’s ‘Wild Horse Nine,’ starring John Malkovich, Sam Rockwell, Steve Buscemi, Mariana Di Girolamo, Ailín Salas, Tom Waits and Parker Posey.

Additional Highlighted Gala Features include Peter Farrelly’s ‘I Play Rocky,’ starring Anthony Ippolito, Matt Dillon, AnnaSophia Robb;’ Anton Corbijn’s ‘A Talent for Murder,’ starring Helen Mirren, Edward Ridgeway and Olivia Cooke; and Mike Leigh’s ‘Tender Loving Care’ starring stars Kate O’Flynn, Marion Bailey, Paul Jesson and Alice Bailey Johnson,

Also included on the slate are Michael J. Gallagher’s ‘The Leader,’ starring Vera Farmiga, Tim Blake Nelson, Jim Parsons and Simon Rex; Jay Duplass’ ‘See You When I See You,’ starring Kaitlyn Dever, David Duchovny, Hope Davis, Lucy Boynton and Kumail Nanjiani; Abinash Bikram Shah’s ‘Elephants in the Fog;’ and Rakan Mayasi’s ‘Yesterday the Eye Didn’t Sleep.’

Tonya Mantooth, the event’s CEO/Artistic Director, shared: “As we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the San Diego International Film Festival, we’re thrilled to share a lineup that reflects the very best of cinematic storytelling. From international standouts and thought-provoking documentaries to award-winning shorts and highly anticipated premieres, this year’s films showcase diverse voices and bold perspectives that inspire empathy and conversation.

“This milestone year also gives us an opportunity to honor and celebrate the rich Native American heritage and enduring legacy of the Kumeyaay people, whose ancestral lands we are privileged to gather on. For 25 years, the festival has brought storytellers, changemakers and cinema enthusiasts together in beautiful San Diego, and we look forward to celebrating this special anniversary with our audiences,” Mantooth added.

The festival will kick off with the Night of the Stars Tribute, a red-carpet celebration taking place at The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center in La Jolla on Tuesday, October 13. The Opening Night film premiere and party will follow at THE LOT La Jolla on Wednesday, October 14.

Each year, the San Diego International Film Festival honors some of the film industry’s most accomplished actors, directors and filmmakers. The event presents the Gregory Peck Award of Excellence in Cinema, with the continued support of the Peck family. Past honorees include Laurence Fishburne, Annette Bening, Adrien Brody, Sir Patrick Stewart, Andy Garcia, Kumail Nanjiani, Marlee Matlin, Mark Hamil, Regina Hall, Kenny Loggins and Geena Davis, among many other distinguished artists.

Culinary Cinema takes place on Sunday, October 18. Hosted by Shawn Styles from CBS8’s ‘Cooking with Styles,’ the day begins with a cuisine-themed film, followed by a special culinary experience celebrating food, film and the people who bring them together.

2026 San Diego International Film Festival Line-Up

Gala and Narrative Competition

Features:

‘A Talent For Murder,’ Dir. Anton Corbijn, USA, San Diego Premiere

‘American Muscle,’ Dir. Joel Veach, USA, San Diego Premiere

‘Catane,’ Dir. Ioana Mischie, Romania, San Diego Premiere

‘Dead Deer High,’ Dir. Jo Rochelle, USA, Southern California Premiere

‘Elephants in the Fog,’ Dir. Abinash Bikram Shah, Nepal, Germany, Brazil, France and Norway, West Coast Premiere

‘Five Kinds of Fear,’ Dir. Bruno Bini, Brazil, Southern California Premiere

‘Gringo Champion,’ Dir. Jonás Cuaron, Mexico, San Diego Premiere

‘I Play Rocky,’ Dir. Peter Farrelly, USA, San Diego Premiere

‘Irkalla: Gilgamesh’s Dream,’ Dir. Mohamed Al Daradji, Iraq & United Arab Emirates & Qatar & France & United Kingdom & Saudi Arabia, San Diego Premiere

‘Mallory’s Ghost,’ Dir. Arabella Oz, USA, California Premiere

‘Mouse,’ Dir. Kelly O’Sullivan and Alex Thompson, USA, San Diego Premiere

‘Red Mountain,’ Dir. Brent Florence, USA, California Premiere

‘Same Same But Different,’ Dir. Lauren Noll, USA, West Coast Premiere

‘See You When I See You,’ Dir. Jay Duplass, USA, San Diego Premiere

‘Take Me Home,’ Dir. Liz Sargent, USA, San Diego Premiere

‘Tender Loving Care,’ Dir. Mike Leigh, USA, Southern California Premiere

‘The Cost of Heaven,’ Dir. Mathieu Denis, Canada, San Diego Premiere

‘The Leader,’ Dir. Michael Gallagher, USA, Canada, San Diego Premiere

‘Trial of Hein,’ Dir. Kai Stänicke, Germany & Switzerland, San Diego Premiere

‘Wild Horse Nine,’ Dir. Martin McDonagh, USA, San Diego Premiere

‘Yesterday the Eye Didn’t Sleep,’ Dir. Rakan Mayasi, Belgium & Lebanon & Palestine & Qatar & Saudi Arabia, San Diego Premiere

Documentary Competition (8)

‘Alone on the Mound,’ Dir. John Condit & Tom Friend, USA, United States Premiere

‘Birds of War,’ Dir. Janay Boulos & Abd Alkader Habak, UK & Syria & Lebanon, California Premiere

‘Drift,’ Dir. Deon Taylor, USA, San Diego Premiere

‘High Ground,’ Dir. Daniel Sharp, United Kingdom, World Premiere

‘People of The West,’ Dir. Christopher Nataani Cegielski, Phillip Montgomery, & Josh Baker, USA, San Diego Premiere

‘Sum Function,’ Dir. Noah Currier & Nick Cavalier, USA, San Diego Premiere

‘The Six Billion Dollar Man,’ Dir. Eugene Jarecki, USA & Germany, San Diego Premiere

‘Undeliverable – Prime Profits. Poor People.,’ Dir. Frank Licari, USA, California Premiere

Shorts Tracks Competition (61)

Animation Filmmaking:

Between Worlds:

‘Creators,’ Dir. Nik Sysuev, USA, San Diego Premiere

‘Double Exposure,’ Dir. Jiacheng Ye, China, North American Premiere

‘Green or Yellow,’ Dir. Wang Hee Song, South Korea, North American Premiere

‘Homebodies,’ Dir. Rachel Olson, USA, San Diego Premiere

‘Method Cowboy,’ Dir. Carlos Valdivia, USA, San Diego Premiere

‘Sam,’ Dir. Joshua Morin & Blaze Nowara, USA, World Premiere

Dramedy:

‘A Night In,’ Dir. Eduardo Olmos, USA, San Diego Premiere

‘Fender Bender,’ Dir. Brian Herrera Gladstone, USA, West Coast Premiere

‘Lay Lefty Down,’ Dir. Traven Rice, USA, Southern California Premiere

‘Lucky Liam,’ Dir. Thomas Hefferon & TJ Hundtofte, Ireland, United States Premiere

‘Mort,’ Dir. Larry & Terry Ziegelman, USA, San Diego Premiere

‘The Cranberry Effect,’ Dir. Mathery, Italy, North American Premiere

‘The Method,’ Dir. Luke Howe, USA, West Coast Premiere

Dramatic Lens:

‘Alivios,’ Dir. Juan Manuel González, Mexico, West Coast Premiere

‘Backstage,’ Dir. Émile V. Schlesser, Luxembourg, West Coast Premiere

‘My Brother Lyosha and I,’ Dir. Lena Tronina, Kazakhstan, San Diego Premiere

‘The Birthday Gift,’ Dir. Arianna Ortiz, USA, San Diego Premiere

‘Watch Out For Bullets,’ Dir. Nicholas Berger & Emmanuel Dayan, USA, France, World Premiere

Heart Strings:

‘Arlene,’ Dir. Elizabeth Dement, USA, San Diego Premiere

‘Going Home,’ Dir. Emily Murnane & Alyssa Limperis, USA, San Diego Premiere

‘Grace,’ Dir. Anna Rodgers, Ireland, Southern California Premiere

‘Meeting Your Maker,’ Dir. Gregory JM Kasunich, USA, San Diego Premiere

‘Obit,’ Dir. Ben Tedesco, USA, San Diego Premiere

San Diego Scene:

‘Adelaide,’ Dir. Simonne Villamichel & Borel Hammond, USA, World Premiere

‘Between the Variables,’ Dir. Yalian Li, USA, West Coast Premiere

‘God Dammit,’ Dir. Chance Saller, USA, West Coast Premiere

‘Midnight Snack,’ Dir. Gerry Saucedo, USA, World Premiere

‘The Beautiful Life, Dir. Matthew Sullivan & Brandon Winter, USA, North American Premiere

‘Yo Soy Mariachero,’ Dir. Steven Wade Adams, USA, World Premiere

Short & Sweet:

‘Bears in Hot Tubs,’ Dir. Maddie Bear & Claire Musser, USA, San Diego Premiere

‘Dropping off,’ Dir. Will Mayo, Ian Scott McGregor, USA, San Diego Premiere

‘Girls Night,’ Dir. Nicolas Block, England & France, San Diego Premiere

‘Scouts Honor,’ Dir. Isabel Pask, USA, San Diego Premiere

‘Soft Cargo,’ Dir. Christian Moldes, USA, California Premiere

‘You Could’ve Been a Nurse, Dir. Meg Mateo, USA, San Diego Premiere

Student Showcase:

‘Breathe, Brother, Breathe,’ Dir. Arman Khaghani, USA, San Diego Premiere

‘Catching Claus,’ Dir. Ian Blom, USA, West Coast Premiere

‘Post Mortem,’ Dir. Luca Rivetti, USA, World Premiere

‘Ransom,’ Dir. Aaron Adrian, Indonesia & USA, World Premiere

‘Reflections,’ Dir. Anya Zenooz, USA, California Premiere

‘The Clark Family Road Trip,’ Dir. Constantine Tripodes, USA, San Diego Premiere

‘Your Pepperminted Son,’ Dir. Dongmyeong Kim, USA, San Diego Premiere

Stranger in a Strange Land:

‘A Hand to Hold,’ Dir. Philip Clyde-Smith, UK, San Diego Premiere

‘Bidet,’ Dir. James Brylowski, Canada & USA, San Diego Premiere

‘Goodbye, Monster,’ Dir. Luke Barnett, USA, West Coast Premiere

‘Legend Has It,’ Dir. Thomas Lorber, Canada, San Diego Premiere

‘Outgrowth,’ Sasha Das, USA, San Diego Premiere

‘Supper,’ Dir. Savannah Braswell, USA, San Diego Premiere

‘Uncle Artoo,’ Dir. Zoë Whittaker, UK, West Coast Premiere

The festival’s signature events (Night of the Stars Tribute, Opening Night Film and Party, 25 Years After Dark Party + Filmmaker Awards and Culinary Cinema) typically sell out. The best way to guarantee reservations at the events is to purchase a pass and reserve tickets before September 10.

The VIP Pass Package includes: Night of the Stars Tribute, Opening Night Film Premiere and Party, 25 Years After Dark Party + Filmmaker Awards, Culinary Cinema, first access to all film screenings, panels, special events and Fest Lounge.

The Fest Pass Package includes all screenings on Thursday – Sunday and 25 Years After Dark Park + Filmmaker Awards. The Weekend Pass Package includes all screenings on Saturday and Sunday only.

The 10-Ticket Package allows audiences to choose 10 screenings from a curated selection of premieres, international films, indies, docs and shorts. The bundle is valid Thursday, October 15 – Sunday, October 18.

Individual event tickets to the signature events will go on September 12 on a space available basis.

There are a variety of other festival packages available. Individual screenings can be purchased for $20, while the VIP Pass Package retails for $575. For more information about the San Diego International Film Festival, including its ticketing options, visit its official website.