Search

SAN DIEGO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL Announces Full Festival Lineup

 

 

MARTIN MCDONAGH’S WILD HORSE NINE,
PETER FARRELLY’S I PLAY ROCKY, 
ANTON CORBIJN’S A TALENT FOR MURDER, and 
MIKE LEIGH’S TENDER LOVING CARE, 
TO HIGHLIGHT GALA PRESENTATIONS
AT THE 25TH ANNUAL
SAN DIEGO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

Celebrating 25 Years of Film, the San Diego International Film Festival announces its full Festival lineup, featuring (90) Gala, Narrative, International Documentary, Spotlight and Short Selections

Festival runs October 13-18

SAN DIEGO/LOS ANGELES, CA (September XX, 2026):  Marking its 25th anniversary, the San Diego International Film Festival today unveiled its highly anticipated 2026 Festival slate—a dynamic collection of films 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, bringing together filmmakers, industry leaders and audiences for six unforgettable days of discovery, dialogue and connection.

This year’s Main Slate showcases an exceptional 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, Olivia Cooke, Mike Leigh’s Tender Loving Care starring stars Kate O’Flynn, Marion Bailey, Paul Jesson, and Alice Bailey Johnson,

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, Cannes — Un Certain Regard; and Rakan Mayasi’s Yesterday the Eye Didn’t Sleep, Cannes — Un Certain Regard.

According to Tonya Mantooth, CEO/Artistic Director, “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.”

The Festival kicks 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. We are proud to present 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 18th, offering the perfect recipe for Sunday fun and a dream come true for foodies! 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 (21)

Feature:

  • 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 & 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

ABOUT THE SAN DIEGO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

The San Diego International Film Festival is more than just a film festival – it’s a cultural experience including world premieres, never before seen studio releases and the best in independent filmmaking.  From international cinema that inspires global dialogue, to local stories that reflect the heart of our community, the Festival brings together the best cinematic storytelling, creativity, celebrations and human connections.  As the region’s premier film event and one of the leading stops on the independent festival circuit, the Festival champions diverse voices, bold perspectives, films that spark empathy and conversation.  It’s world class cinema blended with the energy and beauty of San Diego. 

FOCUS ON IMPACT FILM LIBRARY

The groundbreaking FOCUS on Impact Film Library is a growing collection of carefully curated short films addressing critical issues facing our communities and the world. Developed as a digital platform, this Film Library provides high school and college teachers throughout San Diego County with access to powerful storytelling paired with curriculum and filmmaker Q&As designed to turn viewing into meaningful learning.

Created in partnership with the FOCUS ON IMPACT FILM LIBRARY

The groundbreaking FOCUS on Impact Film Library is a growing collection of carefully curated short films addressing critical issues facing our communities and the world. Developed as a digital platform, this Film Library provides high school and college teachers throughout San Diego County with access to powerful storytelling paired with curriculum and filmmaker Q&As designed to turn viewing into meaningful learning.

Created in partnership with the San Diego County Office of Education, San Diego Unified School District, and San Diego Community College District, FOCUS on Impact helps prepare the next generation of leaders by using film as a catalyst for critical thinking, dialogue, and empathy.

Through films exploring important global issues students are encouraged to look beyond the screen, consider multiple perspectives, ask thoughtful questions, and engage in constructive conversations about the world around them.

The goal is simple but powerful: to equip young people with the critical thinking, communication, and empathy skills they need to navigate an increasingly interconnected world—through the transformative power of film, curriculum, and conversation.

PASS PACKAGES:

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 these events is to purchase a pass and reserve your tickets no later than Sep 10th.

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, Does NOT include Opening Night Film & Party, Night of the Stars Tribute or Culinary Cinema.

The Weekend Pass Package includes all screenings on Saturday and Sunday only. 25 Years After Dark Party + Filmmaker Awards Culinary Cinema not included 

10-Ticket Package:  Choose 10 screenings from a curated selection of premieres, international films, indies, docs, and shorts. Your festival, your way.  Buy the 10-Ticket Bundle for $175 and save $25!
Valid Thu, Oct 15 – Sun, Oct 18

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

There are a variety of Festival Packages available to suit every budget. Individual screenings can be purchased for $20 all the way up to the VIP PASS PACKAGE for $575.  Learn more about Festival ticketing options https://sdfilmfest.com/buy-passes/

We are cashless/paperless and badges are printed physically. All tickets can be uploaded digitally and scanned.

RT_CRITICS_TM_BADGE_Post_1080x1080