California Film Festivals Indie & Mainstream Films, Movies, Shorts

If you love independent films, you've come to the right place — California, where creativity is a commodity and festivals create a space for lesser known and emerging filmmakers and students to show their stuff. Our film festivals pay homage to the Old West, Silent Films, international filmmakers, children, pets, The Earth, Native Americans, African Americans, Sikhs, Jewish lifestyle, and even Screams around Halloween!

film

2026 Film Festivals

PALM SPRINGS: Palm Springs International Film Festival January 2-12, 2026 Prices and venues vary.
psfilmfest.org

SACRAMENTO: Sacramento Horror Film Festival January 31, 2026
sachorrorfilmfest.com
Historical Colonial Theatre
3522 Stockton Blvd.
Sacramento, CA

SAN DIEGO: Jewish Film Festival January 24-February 4, 2026
sdcjc.org/sdjff/
Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center
Jacobs Familly Campus
La Jolla, CA
Celebrating 30 years.

LOS ANGLES: The Los Angeles Greek Documentary Film Festival (LAGFF)  January 30-February 1, 2026
Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, CA
lagff.org/2026-doc/
New event spotlights the courage, artistry, and dedication of documentary filmmakers, giving voice to authentic lived experiences and truths through powerful non-fiction storytelling.

LOS ANGELES: Israel Film Festival February 4-19, 2026
israelfilmfestival.org
Screenings of over 40 narrative films, documentaries, and television series, as well as short films.
Regal North Hollywood
Saban Theatre Beverly Hills
Fine Arts Theatre Beverly Hills
Israel's thriving film and television industry provides an intercultural exchange to advance tolerance and understanding among diverse audiences. The Festival has showcased nearly 1000 feature films, documentaries  and television dramas to hundreds of thousands of film-goers, and brought more than 500 Israeli filmmakers to the U.S. to connect with the Hollywood Community.

SANTA BARBARA: Santa Barbara Film Festival February 4-14, 2026
sbiff.org
Celebrity premiers, panels, and VIP options for parties and reserved seating. 

SAN FRANCISCO: San Francisco Independent Film Festival February 5-15, 2026
sfindie.com
SF IndieFest at Roxie + Victoria Theaters
25th San Francisco Documentary Festival May 28-June 7, 2026
21st San Francisco Short Film Festival Oct 15-22, 2026

NEVADA CITY - GRASS VALLEY: Wild & Scenic Film Festival February 19-23, 2026
Nevada City/Grass Valley, CA Tickets: $  wildandscenicfilmfestival.org, Wild & Scenic Film Festival inspires and motivates people, seeking to unite communities to heal the earth. Organized and produced by SYRCL (the South Yuba River Citizens League). 9+ venues with films and workshops empower individuals through exploration of energy, food systems, biodiversity, climate change, protection and restoration of wild lands and wild waters. A children's Saturday morning program, art shows, wine tastings, a Gala Event and awards ceremony make this a destination vacation like no other.

LOS ANGELES: Golden State Film Festival February 26-March 6, 2026
TCL Chinese Theater Hollywood
TCL Chinese 6 Theatres
6801 Hollywood Boulevard
Los Angeles, California 90028
goldenstatefilmfestival.com
The Golden State Film Festival takes pride in creating a fun relaxed and exciting festival for independent films.

ALBANY: Albany FilmFest March 28, 2026
University at Albany
1115 Solano Avenue
Albany, California 94706
albanyfilmfest.org
International juried short and very short features emerging and established Bay Area, national, and global filmmakers. It offers two youth filmmaker categories, too.

SACRAMENTO: Sacramento Winter Film Shorts February 26, 2026 - Tower Theatre
25th SACRAMENTO FRENCH FILM FESTIVAL  June 26-28, 2026 
Held at Tower Theatre, Sacramento, CA 95814 sacramentofrenchfilmfestival.com

HOLLYWOOD: Reel Independent Film Festival March 4-14, 2026
LA Live
Los Angeles, CA
hollywoodreelindependentfilmfestival.com
Hollywood Reel Independent Film Fest (HRIFF) is a high-profile event with well known actors and producers participating and submitting their original works.

LOS ANGELES: DaVinci International Film Festival
Honoring the Architects of Cinema Los Angeles September 25-27, 2026
AMC Theatres - The Grove
189 The Grove Drive
Los Angeles, CA
Tickets: davincifilmfestival.com

SAN JOSE: Cinequest - San Jose / Silicon Valley Film Festival March 10-22, 2026
cinequest.org
An award-winning selection of international and nationally recognized films / productions make this a best choice for Bay Area entertainment based in San Jose and Mountain View.

WATSONVILLE: Watsonville Film Fest March 12-21, 2026
Watsonville Civic Plaza
275 Main Street
Watsonville, CA
watsonvillefilmfest.org
Showcasing Latin and indigenous cultural traditions

Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour

banffcentre.ca/mountainfestival/worldtour/usa

• REDWOOD CITY: Banff Film Festival March 6-7, 2026 at Fox Theatre in Redwood City, CA $, snowlands.org
• COSTA MESA: Banff Mountain Film Festival : Banff Mountain Film Festival March 10, 11, 2026 at Orange Coast College Library, Costa Mesa, CA 714-432-0202, ext 21058
  cmorgan@occ.cccd.edu
• ARCATA: Banff Mountain Film Festival April 28, 29, 2026 at Adventures Edge, Arcata, CA 707-496-0257
  jennifer@adventuresedge.com
• BERKELEY: Banff Mountain Film Festival February 21, 21, 22, 2026 at University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
  510-333-8306 adventures@berkeley.edu
• CHICO: Banff Mountain Film Festival April 10, 11, 2026 at A.S. Adventure Outings & Chico Performances, Chico, CA  (530) 898-6333 | ubocustomersupport@csuchico.edu
• DAVIS: Banff Mountain Film Festival March 31, 2026 at Rocknasium, Davis, CA (530) 757-2902 info@rocknasium.com
• DOWNIEVILLE: Banff Mountain Film Festival April 3, 4, 5, 2026 at Sierra County Arts Council, Downieville, CA (530) 870-1558 bj@sierracountyartscouncil.org
• IRVINE: Banff Mountain Film Festival April 26, 2026 at Irvine Barclay Theatre, Irvine, CA (949) 854-4646 tickets@thebarclay.org
• MONTEREY: Banff Mountain Film Festival April 10, 2026 at Habitat Stewardship Project Monterey BayMonterey, CA 831-601-0588 llienk@csumb.edu
• PASADENA: Banff Mountain Film Festival March 3, 2026 at Caltech Alpine Club, Pasadena, CA 610-392-2570 akeebler@caltech.edu
• REDDING: Banff Mountain Film Festival February 21, 2026 at Redding Trail Alliance, Redding, CA (530) 515-0908
  info@reddingtrailalliance.org
• REDWOOD CITY: Banff Mountain Film Festival March 6, 7, 2026 at Snowlands Network, Redwood City, CA 530-265-6424 events@snowlands.org
• SAN DIEGO: Banff Mountain Film Festival February 28, March 1, 2026 at Great Adventure Productions, San Diego, CA
  gapspecialevents@gmail.com
• SAN LUIS OBISPO: Banff Mountain Film Festival January 23, 24, 2026 at Live to Play, San Luis Obispo, CA (513) 409-0009 | slo.banff@mountaingear.com
• SANTA BARBARA: Banff Mountain Film Festival February 24, 25, 2026 at UCSB Arts & Lectures at the Arlington Theatre, Santa Barbara, CA (805) 893-3535 |info@artsandlectures.ucsb.edu
• SANTA CRUZ: Banff Mountain Film Festival February 27, 28, March 1, 2026 at UC Santa Cruz Recreation Department, Santa Cruz, CA (831) 459-2806 | adventure@ucsc.edu

LOS ANGELES: First Glance Film Festival Fall 2026
Likely location: Laemmle NoHo, 5240 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, CA
firstglancefilms.com

SAN DIEGO: Latino Film Festival March 18-22, 2026
sdlatinofilm.com
Volunteers needed to make this event great! The San Diego Latino Film Festival takes place at the AMC Fashion Valley 18 in San Diego's Mission Valley. For more than 20 years, the festival has offered screenings of short and feature length films from across Latin America and the U.S. by Latinos and about the Latino experience.

HOLLYWOOD: Westflix March 13, 2026
Paramount Theater at Paramount Studios
5555 Melrose Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90038 / 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM
hw.com/westflix/
Celebrate the best short films produced by high school students throughout California. The films are showcased in an evening screening, plus a day of workshops with industry professionals at Harvard-Westlake School, the sponsor of WestFlix.

SONOMA: Sonoma International Film Festival March 25-29, 2026
sonomafilmfest.org
Founded in 1997, The Sonoma International Film Festival is an international event that takes pride in showcasing emerging talent and featuring unreleased films. What distinguishes SIFF from other film festivals is its walkability. All six screening venues are located in and around SIFF Village.

SAN FRANCISCO: International Ocean Film Festival April 10-12, 2026
Cowell Theater, Fort Mason
San Francisco, California
intloceanfilmfest.org/events
Independent ocean-related films from all over the world include themes ranging from ocean adventure, science, marine life and sports to ocean coastal cultures. The films should entertain, educate and encourage active participation in ocean-specific environmental efforts and better ocean stewardship.

PASADENA: Pasadena International Film Festival April 9-15, 2026
Laemmle NoHo 7
673 East Colorado Boulevard
Pasadena, California 91101
pasadenafilmfestival.org
From the elegant black tie Opening night, to the diverse, informative panels, to the top quality screenings in an actual mainstream movie theatre

SAN LUIS OBISPO: SLO International Film Festival San Luis Obispo April 23-28, 2026. $, slofilmfest.org
MovieMaker Magazine's Top 50 Festivals Worth the Entry Fee
Festival Headquarters 1003 Osos Street
Hollywood & Vines Festival Tent 1035 Higuera Street
Historic Fremont Theater 1025 Monterey St.
Mission Cinemas 1025 Monterey St.
The Palm Theatre 817 Palm St.
Downtown Cinemas 888 Marsh St.
Park Cinemas 1100 Pine St.
King David Masonic Lodge 859 Marsh St.
Octagon Barn 4400 Octagon Way
Bay Theatre 

BEVERLY HILLS: Archer Film Festival April 17, 2026
The Writers Guild Theater
135 S Doheny Drive
archerfilmfestival.org
The Archer Film Festival is a high school student film festival dedicated to empowering female filmmakers.

BEVERLY HILLS: Beverly Hills Film Festival April 12-19, 2026
Beverly Hills, CA
beverlyhillsfilmfestival.com
Emerging filmmakers utilize the latest innovations in the cinema field in the backyard of the entertainment capital of the world, Beverly Hills!

SAN CLEMENTE: Beach Cities Inspirational Film Festival April 25, 2026
beachcitiesinspirationalfilmfestival.com
Student Films, Documentaries, as well as Commercial Feature Films which include the depiction of a character who is afflicted with emotional, mental, or physical challenges. A Challenge, Disability, Handicap is any condition of the body or mind (impairment) that makes it more difficult for the person with the condition to do certain activities (activity limitation) and interact with the world around them (participation restrictions.)

MORGAN HILL: Poppy Jasper International Film Festival April 8-15, 2026
The Granada Theater
Morgan Hill
Empowering the historically marginalized to tell their stories through film and the digital arts in an effort to illuminate the human condition. Venues in  Morgan Hill | San Martin | Gilroy | Hollister | San Juan Bautista, CA
pjiff.org

LOS ANGELES: Jewish Film Festival June 2026
lajfilmfest.org

ROLLING HILLS ESTATES: Universe Multicultural Film June 5-7, 2026
$, umfilms.org
RHCC Community Center, 735 Silver Spur Rd. Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274
Peninsula Center Library, 701 Silver Spur Rd. Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274
Fred Hesse Community Park, McTaggart Hall, 29301 Hawthorne Blv. Rancho Palos Verdes, Ca 90275
Malaga Cove Library, 2400 Vía Campesina, Palos Verdes Estates, CA 90274
Universe Multicultural Film Festival screens 100+ films from 30+ countries.

HOLLYWOOD: Classic Film Festival April 30-May 3, 2026
filmfestival.tcm.com
 TCL Chinese Theatre IMAX, Egyptian Theatre, and Poolside screenings at the Roosevelt Hotel
The World Comes to Hollywood 2026 theme for this iconic film fest. Creativity and shrewd business sense helped establish Hollywood as the filmmaking capital of the world, founded largely by immigrants  already fluent in the same language of cinema.

ARCATA: Humboldt International Film Festival April 23-26, 2026
The Minor Theatre, 1001 H Street, Arcata, CA
hsufilmfestival.com
Oldest run student film festival, according to event. Films are 30 minutes long or less.

SAN DIEGO: SDAFF Spring Showcase February 12, 2026
Pac Arts CINEMATHEK at Digital Gym Cinema screens  Mira Nair's Mississippi Masala
pacarts.org

PETALUMA: Film Fest Petaluma Saturday May 2, 2026
Mystic Theatre
Petaluma, CA
petalumafilmalliance.org
Film Fest Petaluma offers an annual showcase of the best new animated and live action short films from around the world with filmmakers in conversation. Enjoy lively post-screening discussions with filmmakers after all shows. 

DANA POINT: Dana Point Film Festival October 2026 TBA
Salt Creek Beach Park 33333 S. Pacific Coast Highway  Dana Point, CA
danapointfilmfestival.org 

MALIBU: Malibu International Film Festival October 3, 2026, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
malibufilmfestival.org  filmfreeway.com/malibu
Director's Guild or America 7920 Sunset Blvd., LA, CA
Malibu Film Festival showcases the best in American and international cinema. The Festival schedule includes screenings, parties, receptions and other special events.

AVALON: Catalina Island Museum Silent Film Festival May 15-17, 2026
Avalon Casino Theatre
CatalinaMuseum.org

MENDOCINO: Mendocino Film Festival May 28-31, 2026
mendofilm.org
Cinema in the Vineyards at Mendocino Film Festival with its signature program of films.

SANTA MONICA: Sunset Film Festival TBA 2026
Promenade Playhouse
1404 Third Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401
sunsetfilmfestival.com
Sunset Film Festival seeks hidden gems and visionary filmmakers with fresh voices  bigger fests often overlook.

LOS ANGELES: New Media Film Festival June 3-4, 2026
The Culver Theater
9500 Culver Blvd.
Culver City, CA
NewMediaFilmFestival.com
Festival Highlights include Red Carpet Experience – Exclusive Screenings – Q&A Sessions – VIP Soiree – Networking Opportunities – International Art Exhibit – Awards Ceremony

SACRAMENTO: Sacramento 25th Anniversary French Film Festival June 26-28, 2026
Tower Theatre
2508 Land Park Dr.
Sacramento, CA
sacramentofrenchfilmfestival.com
The SFFF fosters friendly relations between American and French people through the universal language of art. The SFFF organizes other events throughout the year, like a popular Winter Short Film Screening. The SFFF celebrates the artistic, cultural, social and historical values of films.

LOS ANGELES: Indian Film Festival April 23-26, 2026
indianfilmfestival.org
Regal LA Live, 1000 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
Annual Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles bridges the gap between the two largest entertainment industries in the world - Hollywood and India. More than 20 films from the Indian filmmaking community across the globe feature three world premieres, two North American premieres, two U.S. premieres, and 11 Los Angeles premiere screenings.

HOLLYWOOD: Holly Weird Film Festival July 2026 TBA
Venue not confirmed:
California Institute of Abnormal Arts
11334 Burbank Blvd.
North Hollywood, CA
$, facebook.com/hollyweirdfilmfest/

PALM SPRINGS: Palm Springs International Film Festival Short Fest
psfilmfest.org
With a year-round program of screenings and special events, the PSIFS hosts two major annual festivals and presents monthly Special Member Screenings of contemporary international films, many with special guests attending for post-screening Q&A's.

LOS ANGELES: New Media Film Festival June 3-4, 2026
The Landmark
10850 W. Pico Blvd. 
Los Angeles, CA
newmediafilmfestival.com
 25 Classic & Tech Categories from features, shorts, animation, and documentaries to VR, AR, AI, web series, podcasts, mobile, drone, and more. Stories that honor culture, spark connection, and push boundaries.

SAN FRANCISCO: San Francisco Jewish Film Festival (SFJFF) July 16-August 2, 2026
eastbayjewishfilm.org
jfi.org
Catch films in Bulgarian, Farsi, French, German, Hebrew, Spanish and English. Presented by the Jewish Film Institute, the largest and longest-running festival of its kind  exploring the complexities of Jewish life around the world. 40,000 filmgoers and industry professionals participate in three weeks of inspiring films, events, panels and parties. Screenings take place at the historic Castro theatre in San Francisco and venues throughout the Bay Area.

SAN FRANCISCO: San Francisco Black Film Festival June 19-22, 2025 | 2026 TBA
$5-up, sfbff.org
San Francisco, California
African films only -- films shot in Africa. Experimental, Feature, Multimedia, Music Video, Narrative Fiction, New Media / Web, Short, Television Festival Dates

LOS ANGELES: Greek Film Festival June 1-7, 2026
Regal LA Live
Los Angeles, CA 
lagff.org
Los Angeles Greek Film Festival showcases cinema from Greece and filmmakers of Greek descent.  The festival continues to present films from Greece, Cyprus, and the Greek diaspora, including feature films, documentaries, and short films. Screenings are typically accompanied by Q and A discussions and appearances from filmmakers and industry participants.

NEVADA CITY: Nevada City Film Festival June 26-28, 2026
nevadacityfilmfestival.com
NCFF brings top independent film, music and comedy, along with thousands of attendees, international filmmakers, and industry guests to the historic Gold Rush era town.

SAN DIEGO: San Diego International Kids' Film Festival August 21-23, 2026
sdkidsfilms.org
Schulman Auditorium 1775 Dove Lane, Carlsbad, CA
Senior Center 799 Pine Avenue Carlsbad, CA
Held at various theaters around San Diego, the festival provides aspiring young filmmakers with an opportunity to communicate to an international community, engaging young viewers with positive media - 150 films from over 30 countries.

CALABASAS: Calabasas Film Festival September 23-27, 2026
calabasasfilmfestival.com
Aannual festival showcases major film premieres, student films, documentaries and top quality film selections from all genres that are guaranteed to entertain.

NORTH HOLLYWOOD: Cine Fest  August 27-30, 2026
Premiere event for independent cinema from all over the world. If you want to see Indie films, this is it!

LOS OLIVOS: The Naturetrack Film Festival Special Screenings January-October 2026, 6:30 p.m.
Santa Ynez Valley Grange
naturetrackfilmfestival.org
January 16, 2026 Whispers of Wings and Wonder THEME: Birds and flight. | February 20, 2026 America's Wolf | March 20, 2026  Something in the Water + Mobula, the Devil's Legend | April 17, 2026 Hidden Lives of the Wild | May 15, 2026 The Forest of the Honey Bees; The Lonely Mushroom | June 19, 2026 Islands, Farms & Forests +  Sitka's Hidden Wonders | July 17, 2026 The Most Biodiverse Place in America + The Freelance Beaver Detective | August 21, 2026 Life at Earth's Extremes Greenland - Feeling the Heat | September 18, 2026 Resilience: Voices of Basket Weaving in the Great Basin | October 16, 2026 The Art of Trees 

HOLLYWOOD: American Film Institute's AFI Fest October 21-25, 2026
 TCL Chinese Theatres
afi.com
Annual program of the American Film Institute brings Hollywood icons, emerging artists and audiences together to experience global cinema documentaries in the movie capital of the world in the heart of Hollywood. It's a curated selection of Red Carpet Premiere screenings, Special Screenings, World Cinema, Documentaries and Short Films.

HOLLYWOOD: Screamfest October 6-15, 2026
TLC Chinese Theatre on 3rd Floor of Ovation Hollywood (formerly Hollywood & Highland)
6801 Hollywood Blvd.
Hollywood, CA
 screamfestla.com
Largest and longest running horror film festival in the United States, the Sundance of Horror, showcases new genre films from around the world.

LONE PINE: Lone Pine Film Festival October 8-11, 2026
lonepinefilmfestival.org
Celebrity Stars, Star Panel discussions, film screenings shot in the area, Star Parade, Rodeo, arts and crafts, cowboy church and unique movie-site guided tours, live stunt demonstrations and more. 2023 film festival explores silents,  the B-grade Westerns of the early 1930s to the early 1950s, low-budget 'oaters' as they were called; and expand upon the Golden Age of the Westerns - 1940s to 1960s.

SAN DIEGO: San Diego International Film Festival October 14-18, 2026
sdfilmfest.com
AMC UTC Theatres La Jolla
4425 La Jolla Village Drive
San Diego, CA
SDIFF is a leading stop on the independent film festival circuit for world premieres, new studio releases, and the best in independent filmmaking. From Opening Night to Culinary Cinema, Filmmaker Panels and over 70 Film Screenings, the San Diego International Film Festival invites the public to participate in glamorous parties and intimate events with filmmakers. 

NEWPORT BEACH: Newport Beach Film Festival October 15-22, 2026
newportbeachfilmfest.com
Big Newport
300 Newport Center Drive
Newport Beach, CA
Other theaters, venues: Lido Marina Village, The New Port Theater
Storytellers, filmmakers and artists from around the globe engage the community with compelling conversations at their cinematic releases.

PALO ALTO: United Nations Association Film Festival "Passion for Change" October 15-25, 2025 
International Documentary Film Festival,
Free screenings - $, unaff.org
See around 60 documentaries at one of the oldest documentary film festivals in the US.  

• Rinconada Library, 1213 Newell Road, Palo Alto,
• Stanford Research Park, 3215 Porter Dr, Palo Alto
• Palo Alto Art Center, 1313 Newell Road, Palo Alto
• Bechtel International Center Assembly Room, 584 Capistrano Way, Stanford
• Roble Arts Gym, 375 Santa Teresa Street, Stanford, CA
  Palo Alto, East Palo Alto, San Francisco, and at Stanford University

LOS ANGELES: Zed Fest Film Festival November 10-15, 2026
NoHo Arts
Lammle Noho 7 5240 Lankershim Blvd North Hollywood Ca, 91601
Gray Studios LA 5250 Vineland Ave, North Hollywood, CA 91601
Tickets: zedfest.org
Zed Fest Film Festival & Screenplay Competition was founded in 2010 to encourage and support independent filmmakers, who work in the horror, suspense, science fiction, drama, action, adventure, and art house genres.  

LONG BEACH: QFilm Festival September  2026 
Art Theatre
qfilmslongbeach.com
The longest-running film festival in Long Beach, California, with one of the largest LGBTQ populations in the state. QFilms Long Beach is THE queer film festival to see.

SANTA ANA: Viet Film Fest October 2026
The Frida Cinema
Santa Ana, CA
vietfilmfest.com
Viet Film Fest is the largest international festival promoting Vietnamese culture, stories, and artists through film. Viet Film Fest 2023 returns in-person in Orange County, California, and virtual screenings will be available internationally (pending geolocation permissions from filmmakers) to increase accessibility for audiences to watch the films, experiences, and stories about the Vietnamese community.

FRESNO: Reel Pride Film Festival September 2026
Historic Tower District venues: 
Tower Theatre, 815 E. Olive Avenue
Vista Theater 1296 N. Wishon Avenue 
Fresno, CA
reelpride.com
Dedicated to LGBT films, filmmakers

SAN FRANCISCO: San Francisco Latino Film Festival  October-November 2026
Roxie Theater
3117 16th Street
San Francisco, CA
Roxie Theater - Landmark's Opera Plaza 
$, cinemassf.org
Emerging and established filmmakers from the US, Latin America, Spain and Portugal. It is a celebration of the latest work coming out of the 20+ countries and the diaspora with which we share a bond.

SAN DIEGO: San Diego Italian Film Festival  October 2026
Balboa Park
Museum of Photographic Arts
San Diego, CA
$, sandiegoitalianfilmfestival.com
The San Diego Italian Film Festival is about more than just movies—it is about identity, history, and a shared appreciation of Italian culture and great cinema. In a word, it is about community, a place for a diverse audience of film lovers and those who appreciate Italian culture. Movies and special events are presented year-round, celebrating Italian film and cuisine.

BEVERLY HILLS: STORYTELLA 2026 TBA
docla.org 
Parajanov-Vartanov Institute screens and award Fiction films in an official sidebar of the institute's signature annual festival DOC LA, which has traditionally programmed fictional stories alongside the documentary competition.

HOLLYWOOD: Colcoa French Film Festival October-November 2026
theamericanfrenchfilmfestival.org
DGA Theater
Hollywood, CA
Where French culture shines! Founded by The Franco-American Cultural Fund, from women's rights to creative ways to address adult mental illness to a landmark case addressing rights and ethics of euthanasia to a profile of a powerful but forgotten figure in African-American history are in the lineup.

LOS ANGELES: Awareness Film Festival  October 2026
LA Live Regal Cinemas
1000 W Olympic Blvd
Los Angeles, California, 90015
$, awarenessfestival.org
Non-profit organization Heal One World is holding its annual,  Awareness Film Festival to inform and inspire audiences through a program of films on Ecological, Political, Health/Well Being and Spiritual topics. Filmmaker Q&A's, filmmaker panels, as well as conscious art and music highlight this unique showcase of Documentary & Narrative Features, Short Films, Music Videos and Public Service Announcements. Any net profits from this event will go completely to charity, including partner organizations.

SAN RAFAEL: Mill Valley Film Festival October 2026
mvff.com
SMITH RAFAEL FILM CENTER
1118 4th St., San Rafael
BAMPFA
2155 Center Street, Berkeley
CINEARTS SEQUOIA
25 Throckmorton Ave., Mill Valley
THE ROXIE
3117 16th Street, San Francisco
LARK THEATER
549 Magnolia, Larkspur
SWEETWATER MUSIC HALL
19 Corte Madera Avenue, Mill Valley
MVFF welcomes more than 200 filmmakers and guests from around the world with approx. 300 films showing in  6 cities & venues through the Bay Area. The event has hosted such luminaries as Nicole Kidman, Dustin Hoffman, Ang Lee, Mira Nair, Amy Adams and Steve McQueen.

OAKLAND: Drunken Film Fest  October 2026
drunkenfilmfest.com
Drunken Film Fest screens the best new short films from around the world at different bars, showcasing many of Oakland's distinct businesses and neighborhoods, all free and open to the public.

HOLLYWOOD: Animation Is Film Fall October 2026
Hollywood, CA
Tickets: animationisfilm.com
The Festival will present a highly selective showcase of the best animated films from around the world, plus red carpet, filmmaker Q&As, special events, receptions, and both juried and audience awards.

LOS ANGELES: Hollywood Brazilian Film Festival BRAVO November 2026
Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda
Los Feliz Theatre, 1822 N. Vermont
TLC Chinese Theatre, 6925 Hollywood Blvd.
hbrfest.com
Diverse mix of 10 Brazilian feature films, Documentary and shorts.

MOUNTAIN VIEW / PALO ALTO: Silicon Valley Jewish Film Festival October-November 2026
svjff.org
4 in person screenings and the rest is virtual, watch online.

OJAI: Ojai Film Festival November 2026 TBA
ojaifilmfestival.com
Ojai Art Center
Ojai, CA
Enriching the Human Spirit Through Film, Ojai Film Festival is dedicated to promoting and supporting the art of the motion picture through the presentation of an annual multi-day festival in which films submitted by filmmakers throughout the world are publicly exhibited at several venues in and around the picturesque Ojai Valley.

SACRAMENTO: Sacramento International Film Festival December 2026
sacramentofilmfestival.com
Sacramento Film Festival is produced under the umbrella of the California Film Foundation.

 

Past festivals

LOS ANGELES: LA Fashion Film Festival "NOSTALGIA" 
Location: TBA
lafashionfilmfest.com
LAFFF is a dazzling showcase of how fashion, beauty and tech are blending to create a visionary retail experience. At the same time, it pushes brands to further engage and connect with consumer.

Horror Scream Films mostly in October & November include classics such as Rocky Horror Picture Show and Halloween.

MOUNTAIN VIEW: Epic Animation Comic Game Fest 
1080 Linda Vista Ave.
Mountain View, CA
eacgfest.org

SANTA MONICA: American Film Market 
$795-1395, americanfilmmarket.com
Multiple venues and events
Academy Award Nominations for Films Represented at the American Film Market

HOLLYWOOD: Red Nation Film Festival
rednationff.com
Fine Arts Theatre
Beverly Hills, CA
Dedicated to Native Americans in film

STUDIO CITY: Studio City International Film Festival
studiocityfest.com
Laemmle
5240 Lankershim Blvd.
Hollywood, CA
Studio City International Film Festival takes place near CBS Studios and a few miles away from Universal Studios and Warner Bros.

LOS ANGELES: LA Live Film Festival 
800 W. Olympic Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA
filmfestlalive.com
One of the largest screens in California, with the highest resolution Barco Projector available today and the best surround sound showcase winning films in all their glory.

NAPA VALLEY: Napa Valley Film Festival tba
Multiple venues, multiple cities
$, napavalleyfilmfest.org

BURBANK: The CTN Animation eXpo
Burbank Airport Marriott Convention
2500 North Hollywood Way
Burbank, CA
ctnexpo.com
Creative Talent Network eXpo brings together a hand picked group of vendors, artists, studios, and schools to connect, educate, share, celebrate, and explore the possibilities of the community and the industry.

CHICO: Animation Chico 
$5-up, animationchico.com
Chico Theater Company
166 E Eaton Rd # F
Chico, CA 95973
Animated films from established and upcoming artists from around the world showcasing the latest techniques in animation and innovations in technology, combined with compelling and entertaining storytelling.

VENICE: Garifuna Film Festival
Electric Lodge Theater
1416 Electric Avenue
Venice CA 90291
garifunafilmfestival.com
Celebrating Garifuna, Caribbean and indigenous cultures from around the world!

NORTH LAKE TAHOE: Tahoe Film Fest 
tahoefilmfest.org
Important environmental films showcase and celebrate the efforts of everyone who helps to maintain the beauty of such a pristine lake and its surroundings.

NORTH HOLLYWOOD: (San Fernando) Valley Film Festival  valleyfilmfest.com
Laemmle NoHo7, in the heart of NoHo, on Lankershim Blvd.

LOS ANGELES: Lift-Off Film Festival 
liftoff.network
Streaming video on demand platform

LOS ANGELES: Silicon Beach Film Festival 
Cinemark 18 and XD Playa Vista
6081 Center Dr HHLA Howard Hughes Center
12746 West Jefferson Boulevard
Los Angeles, California 90094
siliconbeachff.com
Silicon Beach Film Festival is a three year Independent film festival located on the west side of Los Angeles. The festival focus on promoting independent filmmakers from around the world and features shorts, features and documentary's. The festival also focus on technology and film highlighting innovative app's and tech companies. Silicon Beach is home to film studios and tech giants such as Google, Youtube, Snap, Sony and many others.

SAN DIEGO: Filmout San Diego LGBT Film Shorts
filmoutsandiego.com
Celebrate the year's best films relevant to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. In addition to film screenings, the festival features special appearances by filmmakers and actors. Screenings are held at the Observatory North Park, a historic theater in the heart of one of San Diego's trendiest neighborhoods.

HOLLYWOOD: Cinecon Classic Film Festival 
Old Town Music Hall
140 Richmond St.
El Segundo, CA
$, cinecon.org
Cinephiles (archivists, authors, collectors and film fans,) gather over Labor Day Weekend to celebrate five days of classic film screenings, special programs, celebrity guests, and the best movie memorabilia show in the nation. Cinecon is dedicated to showcasing unusual films that are rarely given public screenings. 

VACAVILLE: Ag Art Film Festival 
agandartfilmfestival.com
Celebrate some of the things in life that nourish us: agriculture & art - through cinema. The Ag & Art Film Festival supports small farms and farmers and the humane treatment of all living beings - including farm animals.

LOS ANGELES: Global Film Festival Awards January 6past
Ongoing monthly competitions and awards with Best of the Year selections, as well.
 gffawards.com
The GFFA Public Event in Los Angeles celebrates the  Best of Year competitions. Winners have the opportunity to meet with other artists, producers, managers, and agents.

 

BALDWIN HILLS: Pan African Film Festival 
$, paff.org
Billed as the Largest Black Film Festival in America, this event features African American actors, filmmakers and films. A cultural journey. 

RANCHO CUCAMONGA: Inland Empire Film Festival  Solamonte Theaters
9200 Milliken Avenue
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730
walkerentertainera.wixsite.com
Starting this year in addition to its short film screenings the Inland Empire Film Festival (IEFF) screens five IEFF judge selected Top Music Video award finalist - ietmv.com

SAN FRANCISCO: San Francisco Berlin Beyond Film Festival 
berlinbeyond.org | goethe.de/
The annual Berlin & Beyond Film Festival at the Castro Theatre, a presentation of the Goethe-Institut San Francisco, is America's premier festival of new cinema from Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Since 1996 over 500 films have been presented to 100,000+ people.

HOLLYWOOD: Hollywood Comedy Shorts 
TCL Chinese 6 Theatre
6801 Hollywood Blvd
3rd Level
Hollywood, CA
hollywoodcomedyshortsfilmfest.com

SAN DIEGO: iVIE Awards & Student Film Festival 
2921 El Cajon Boulevard
San Diego, CA 92104
ivieawards.org
Innovative Video in Education (iVIE) Awards & Student Film Festival is a K-12 student video competition and festival conceived to encourage and reward teachers who utilize video as a project based learning tool in their classroom, and students who use film and visual literacy to demonstrate their understanding of classroom concepts.

LOS ANGELES: Comedy Screenplay Festival 
Regal Cinemas L.A. LIVE 14
1000 West Olympic Boulevard
Los Angeles, California 90015
festivalforcomedy.com
Billed as the #1 Comedy Festival and Contest in the World, the event offers screenwriters, novelists and storytellers at all levels fantastic opportunities and honest feedback.

LOS ANGELES: The Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival (LALIFF) 
TCLChinese 6 Theatres
6801 Hollywood Boulevard, Third Level
Hollywood, CA 90028
$10 screenings | $20-350 passes and parties, laliff.org
Co-founded by actor Edward James Olmos, the festival opens with the Los Angeles premiere of Cristina Ibarra and Alex Rivera's The Infiltrators,  among 15 features (including 10 directed by women and 3 World Premieres), 17 shorts, five episodics, two special events and two Latinx podcasts. La Mera Candelaria and Sizzle Fantastic are among  music performances nightly at the Roosevelt Theatre in the Hollywood.

HOLLYWOOD: Hollywood Shorts Film Festival
hollyshorts.com
TCL Chinese 6 Theaters
Hollywood, CA

LOS ANGELES: LGBT Los Angeles Film Festival 
Regal Cinemas L.A. LIVE 14
1000 West Olympic Boulevard
Los Angeles, California 90015
lgbtlosangelesfilmfestival.com
An extension to the popular LGBT Festival in Toronto is designed to showcase the best of LGBT stories from around the world.

SAN FRANCISCO EAST BAY: California Independent Film Festival 
caiff.org
held in Morinda, Moraga, East Bay area of San Francisco at historic Orinda Theatre, Rheem Theatre and the Castro Theatre.  

Events are not guaranteed. It is your responsibility to confirm before going.