YOUR CINEMATIC HOLIDAY BEGINS HERE
5 DAYS | FILMS | PREMIERES | PANELS | WORKSHOPS
THE CULINARY CINEMA SERIES | 2026 SHORTSFEST
THE LEONARD MALTIN INDUSTRY TRIBUTE AWARDS GALA
Badge holders receive early reservation access from October 1–4.
General admission tickets go on sale October 5.
Reminder: Badge holders must sign in to their accounts before making reservations.
The Coronado Island Film Festival (CIFF) welcomes makers and lovers of film from all over the world to the storied seaside village of Coronado, California to celebrate the magical art of visual storytelling. Coronado’s enduring love affair with Hollywood began more than a century ago at the iconic Hotel del Coronado, our festival’s Presenting Sponsor. Launched in 2016, CIFF quickly established itself as a unique, walkable, destination film festival.
Just across the blue bridge from downtown San Diego lies Coronado—a storied island where Marilyn Monroe filmed Some Like It Hot, Charlie Chaplin strolled the streets, and Tom Cruise took flight. From Hollywood icons to dignitaries and dreamers, Coronado has long been a stage for history and imagination.
Building on that legacy, the Coronado Island Film Festival was founded ten years ago as a creative crossroads—where filmmakers, screenwriters, emerging artists, and industry leaders come together to connect, inspire, and celebrate the power of storytelling. With premieres, panels, workshops, and the celebrated Leonard Maltin Industry Tribute Gala, CIFF is where the art and impact of cinema shine brightest.
*CIFF has a strict NO REFUND policy (this includes acts of God, nature and any communicable viruses)
*Transfers ARE allowed with approval from the CIFF Box office if you are unable to attend for any reason.
*Badges do NOT include the Leonard Maltin Industry Tribute Award Gala.
* Access does not guarantee a seat - a reservation is required for all screenings, events, parties and will fill up on a first come basis.
Programming Schedule and Venues are subject to change at any time
All films open 30 minutes prior to the stated start time
CIFF is a Cash-free festival (we accept all major Credit Card & venmo)
Reception on the Bay 6:00–7:30 PM
This year, we're doing something we've never done before. CIFF's beloved closing night reception moves to the stunning waterfront setting of the Marriott Coronado Island Resort & Marina — where the bay stretches out before you, the city skyline glitters across the water, and the open air makes every moment feel just a little more cinematic.
Join us for a gorgeous waterfront reception as the sun sets over San Diego Bay. Sip, mingle, and soak in the views — the kind of golden-hour moment that reminds you why we love gathering around great films and great company. With the downtown skyline reflecting off the water and the warm November air around you, it's the perfect prelude to one final night of cinema
The untold true story of America’s most-beloved actor and the iconic role that saved him, focuses on the most transformative season in Jimmy Stewart’s life—from winning the Academy Award® for Best Actor in The Philadelphia Story to enlisting and becoming a combat pilot in the U.S. Army Air Corps at the beginning of World War II. He flew twenty missions over Europe, rising to the rank of colonel by the end of the war, only to return home broken and disheartened. Then George Bailey and It’s a Wonderful Life came calling.
Be a Part of the Action
From 4:00–6:00 PM on Saturday, November 7, guests will embark on a flavorful stroll down Orange Avenue, where each star on the sidewalk honors an individual with real ties to Coronado's rich film and cultural history.
Lights. Camera. Taste
Your evening begins at The Bower Coronado, where you'll check in, receive your exclusive StarPass, and kick off the experience with a welcome tequila tasting from Bebemos.
Your StarPass serves as your guide for the evening, featuring a map of every participating stop so you can explore the full tasting trail at your own pace.
From there, stroll down Orange Avenue as each stop offers a unique bite, sip, or special experience from one of Coronado's favorite local businesses. Between tastings, take in the stories behind the legendary names embedded in the Avenue of the Stars—celebrating the actors, filmmakers, writers, and visionaries who helped shape Coronado's remarkable connection to Hollywood.
As the sun begins to set, Scenes & Sips transforms into more than a tasting event—it's a celebration of film, community, local flavor, and the timeless charm that makes Coronado one of California's most iconic destinations.
Scenes & Sips is made possible by the generous support of our host sponsors.
Mission Forward — A Free Community Screening
The birth of a girls’ gymnastics team becomes an inspiring spark of light for a small group of undocumented teenagers living on the margins in Pakistan, where the very act of girls training and competing in gymnastics is considered controversial. This emotionally powerful and lyrical coming-of-age journey follows the girls as they train for the National Women’s Gymnastics Competition while navigating the human rights challenges of being stateless, confronting the economic hardship that surrounds them, and fighting to forge a new place for themselves in society. Directed by Habiba Nosheen and executive produced by Mariska Hargitay, Trish Adlesic, and Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai.
CIFF historian Tim Ried is back with the program our audiences ask for every year — a CIFF favorite that weaves Coronado and San Diego history into Hollywood legend.
He was Harold Lloyd — and he's coming to Coronado in November!
He was the Founding Father of Romantic Comedy.
He was the King of Boy-Chases-Girl Cinema Thrills.
He was the Clock-Climbing Superstar from San Diego.
Come catch HAROLD! at CIFF.
Featuring his granddaughter, Suzanne Lloyd, Hollywood legend Leonard Maltin, and a fully-restored Harold Lloyd masterpiece.
Five Stories. One Conversation.
Laugh, Connect and Spark Conversation
Five original comedy shorts take on the everyday absurdities facing women in STEM.
For All Humankind - During a brainstorming session to imagine a helmet for moon-cave exploration, an early-career female engineer goes to extreme lengths to break into the boys’ club.
Cellular - Drowning in service work and trapped in the cutthroat world of publish or perish, a professor fights for what is rightfully hers—five uninterrupted minutes with the microscope.
ScienTITS - A mechanical engineer seeks a solution to a new problem: using a breast pump at work.
Dress Code - A curly-haired Latina scientist struggles to be herself while dressing the part for a new position at a traditional research institution. Will she go bland or go bold?
There’s Something About Her - When a candidate with an invisible disability applies for a tenure-track game-design faculty position, she must tackle the real demons who come to life in the interview room.
Q&A with Jessica McGaugh, Cat Dale, Dr. Svasti Haricharan, Gena Sbegila, Sandra Mass and Tracy Nguyen will follow the screening.
Jessica McGaugh
Jessica McGaugh is an independent filmmaker whose artistic practice explores stigma, silence, and taboo through intimate, emotionally charged storytelling. Her films are designed to disrupt silence and open conversation, often using humor to approach experiences shaped by discomfort, vulnerability, and shame. Her award-winning work ranges from comedies about menstruation to documentaries about multicultural dancers, and have screened across the globe including San Diego Film Festival, Vancouver Film Festival, Mumbai International Film Festival, Denver Film Festival, NDTV, and Rocky Mountain PBS. Jessica’s feature films Red Pearl and Three Worlds, One Stage are available through AppleTV, Amazon, Roku, Vudu, and Walmart. Jessica is a hybrid filmmaker-educator and a professor of film and television production at San Diego State University. She is the writer/director/producer of the Womanhood: The Series episode titled Cellular.
Cat Dale is a writer and filmmaker whose narrative work examines institutional trauma and gendered cultural perceptions. Her scripts include Mount Pleasant, winner of the ScreenCraft Pilot Launch, a featured script on The Black List, and a second-round selection for the Sundance Institute Episodic Lab. She also co-wrote Beasts Undiscovered, a quarterfinalist for the Academy Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting and a project developed with Myriad Pictures and Orbital Studios. Dale is an Associate Professor at Montana State University, where she teaches film production and screenwriting. She is the writer/director/producer of the Womanhood: The Series episode titled ScienTITS.
Dr. Haricharan received her BSc in Zoology from Stella Maris College, India in 2004, her MSc in Molecular and Human Genetics from University of Leicester, UK in 2005, and her PhD in Molecular and Cellular Biology from Baylor College of Medicine. Dr. Haricharan started her independent lab focused on roles of DNA repair proteins in promoting treatment responsiveness at Sanford Burnham Prebys, La Jolla in 2018. She is an Associate Professor of Biology at SDSU and a Full Member of the Moores Cancer Center at UCSD.
Gena Sbeglia, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor of Biology at San Diego State University and a member of the Center for Research in Mathematics and Science Education. Her research focuses on how cognitive, psychosocial, and classroom factors shape undergraduate biology learning—particularly students’ understanding and acceptance of evolution. Through her Biology Education Research Lab, she develops evidence-based, inclusive teaching practices and rigorous tools for assessing student learning, persistence, and equity in the biological sciences.
Sandra Maas is an Emmy Award–winning broadcast journalist, storyteller, and advocate whose career has been driven by one powerful belief: stories can inform, challenge, and inspire change. For decades, Sandra has connected with audiences across San Diego through television and radio, using her voice to shine a light on the issues and people who matter. Her commitment to storytelling extends beyond the newsroom, most notably through her advocacy for pay equity and women’s rights.
Today, as a trustee of the San Diego History Center, Sandra is helping shape the future of women’s history in San Diego. She is a driving force behind the creation of the new Center for Women’s History Gallery in Balboa Park, a groundbreaking space dedicated to preserving, celebrating, and amplifying the stories of women who helped shape our region and our world.
For Sandra, it is more than preserving history. It is about making sure women’s stories are seen, heard, valued, and never forgotten.
Tracy Nguyen: Optometrist and President of Society of Women Engineers. Driven by purpose and passion, I am committed to breaking barriers and building bridges in STEM, especially for girls and underrepresented communities. An optometrist and active leader within the Society of Women Engineers, I aim to inspire the next generation of innovators through mentorship, outreach, and inclusive leadership.
Renowned documentarian Sam Pollard tells the astonishing, inspiring story of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee, site of the assassination of Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., and its remarkable owners, Walter and Loree Bailey.
Reception on the Bay 6:00–7:30 PM
This year, we're doing something we've never done before. CIFF's beloved closing night reception moves to the stunning waterfront setting of the Marriott Coronado Island Resort & Marina — where the bay stretches out before you, the city skyline glitters across the water, and the open air makes every moment feel just a little more cinematic.
Join us for a gorgeous waterfront reception as the sun sets over San Diego Bay. Sip, mingle, and soak in the views — the kind of golden-hour moment that reminds you why we love gathering around great films and great company. With the downtown skyline reflecting off the water and the warm November air around you, it's the perfect prelude to one final night of cinema
Closing Night FILM 7:30
Callie and Minnie’s relationship is suddenly upended at the start of the summer before their senior year of high school. Left rudderless without her charismatic best friend, Minnie starts to form a complicated friendship with Callie’s mother.
RADIOHEART: The Drive and Times of DJ Kevin Cole explores the life and career of DJ Kevin Cole, tracing his path from the club dance floors of Minneapolis’ First Avenue to the digital halls of Amazon.com, to the global stage of Seattle’s KEXP. Through intimate interviews, archival footage, and the music that defined his career, the film tells the story of a man who revolutionized radio, faced personal demons, and ultimately, used his passion for music to create a lasting legacy of community, healing, and innovation.
As a young Vietnam War soldier, a grenade blast robbed Michael Naranjo of his eyesight. But he didn’t lose sight of his integrity and ambition. He fought past critics and social stereotypes to harness the life of his dreams. Dream Touch Believe is a timeless, award winning biographical documentary about a man who succeeded in doing what he was told he couldn’t do. Although Naranjo has no eyes and the use of just one hand, the Indigenous artist creates sculptures coveted by collectors worldwide. The shadow-like bronzes treasured for their haunting beauty are displayed prominently in homes, museums, and grand institutions like the White House and Vatican. But it’s Naranjo’s life story that continues to spark hope within people of all walks of life. Dream Touch Believe is a film that will inspire audiences of all ages.
A female lawyer returns to her hometown of Brisbane after a decade away and is forced to work alongside her ex, who is now married with a child.
Join us for a Filmmaker Q&A following the screening.
The Choice tells the story of best-selling author and renowned psychologist Dr. Edith Eger, whose extraordinary life and teachings become a lifeline for a mother grappling with unimaginable tragedy. Together, their bond reveals the radical power of choice to transform pain into resilience and hope.
Directed by John David Coles, award winning director and producer of House Of Cards and Homeland.
Set in 1986 Queens and Brooklyn, an engineer aspiring to middle-class comforts is pulled into a shady deal with Russian criminals by his brother, a former NYPD cop — endangering his family with life-altering consequences.
A psychological thriller about 3 land men traveling to North Dakota to obtain mineral rights to land owned by a Native American man who hates the oil industry.
An intimate documentary portrait of visionary astronomer, author and television star Carl Sagan, whose groundbreaking ideas transformed our understanding of the cosmos and human existence.
The Last Spy is the riveting biography of 102-year-old CIA spymaster Peter Sichel, telling for the first time the epic and unvarnished history of the US foreign intelligence service from the inside. With a good dose of wit and humor to boot, Sichel unpacks the obscured roots of conflicts that plague today’s world and the toll espionage took on his personal life.
Set in a provincial Russian town in 2022, against the backdrop of the Russo-Ukrainian war, successful company director Gleb faces mounting corporate pressure — including a quota of workers to send to war — while discovering his wife's infidelity, sending his carefully ordered life spiraling toward violence. A remake of Claude Chabrol's The Unfaithful Wife.
In 1969, Bermudian teenager Clyde Best broke into England’s First Division Football (Soccer) and became the first Black superstar of football/soccer’s modern television era. Enduring racism while inspiring millions, Best emerged as the Jackie Robinson of English football, breaking barriers through through his on-field excellence and quiet resilience. Overcoming adversity, inspiring a generation of young Black athletes, and later starring in the North American Soccer League, his influence still echoes across the global game. Featuring Clyde Best himself alongside notable interviewees such as Sir Geoff Hurst, Ian Wright, John Barnes, and Viv Anderson, "Transforming the Beautiful Game" is the first feature documentary to tell Best’s full story, an untold chapter of Black sporting history and a powerful testament to quiet revolution and lasting legacy. The film combines never-before-seen archival footage, historic match material, and intimate interviews to restore Clyde Best to his rightful place in football history.
In this intimate and visually rich documentary, filmmaker Warren Elgort turns the camera on his father, legendary fashion photographer Arthur Elgort, whose candid, movement-driven style transformed the pages of Vogue and redefined the look of modern fashion photography. Told through unprecidented archival footage, iconic Vogue shoots, and heartfelt interviews with collaborators like—Anna Wintour, André Leon Talley and Linda Evangelista—Arthur Elgort: Models & Muses captures the spontaneity, humor, and genius behind Arthur's work. As Warren uncovers the man behind the camera, the film becomes both a celebration of a creative legacy and a tender portrait of a father through the eyes of his son.
An intimate documentary portrait of visionary astronomer, author and television star Carl Sagan, whose groundbreaking ideas transformed our understanding of the cosmos and human existence.
A young illustrator on the cusp of success leaves her exciting life in 1990s San Francisco to return to her eccentric family, who must confront their vibrant mother's Alzheimer's disease. Adult animated biographical drama based on Sarah Leavitt's graphic memoir.
A young illustrator on the cusp of success leaves her exciting life in 1990s San Francisco to return to her eccentric family, who must confront their vibrant mother's Alzheimer's disease. Adult animated biographical drama based on Sarah Leavitt's graphic memoir.
During her first 25 years at Duval Elementary (East Gainesville, Fla.), Gloria Jean Merriex was a typical teacher. She adhered faithfully to her district’s rigid pacing guides. But after her school flunked its high-stakes state exam, the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT), she changed. Completely.
As a result of failing the FCAT, Duval faced major consequences. They included a budget freeze and the threat of a shutdown. The state and district pressured Gloria and her colleagues to strictly follow the curriculum and guidelines.
Gloria fought back. She created a curriculum from scratch to make her lessons relevant to her students. Recognizing rhythm and repetition help children grasp and remember complex concepts, she experimented with music and movement. She wrote original songs and choreographed geometrical motions. She flipped the playbook, starting the school year with the hardest concepts. She practiced tough love. And she substantially raised her expectations of her students—and herself.
In one year, she catapulted Duval to an A. She became a national model, giving us a blueprint for student success.
During her first 25 years at Duval Elementary (East Gainesville, Fla.), Gloria Jean Merriex was a typical teacher. She adhered faithfully to her district’s rigid pacing guides. But after her school flunked its high-stakes state exam, the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT), she changed. Completely.
As a result of failing the FCAT, Duval faced major consequences. They included a budget freeze and the threat of a shutdown. The state and district pressured Gloria and her colleagues to strictly follow the curriculum and guidelines.
Gloria fought back. She created a curriculum from scratch to make her lessons relevant to her students. Recognizing rhythm and repetition help children grasp and remember complex concepts, she experimented with music and movement. She wrote original songs and choreographed geometrical motions. She flipped the playbook, starting the school year with the hardest concepts. She practiced tough love. And she substantially raised her expectations of her students—and herself.
In one year, she catapulted Duval to an A. She became a national model, giving us a blueprint for student success.
A shy, unassuming housewife (Mona) is unexpectedly cast in a bit part in a small community theater's original musical. As she transforms into a zealous method actor determined to protect the artistic integrity of her marginal role, she falls under the spell of the show's brilliant but domineering director.
Set against one of the most volatile flashpoints of the Cold War, KILLING CASTRO unfolds in 1960 New York where a convergence of forces — including the CIA, FBI and the Mafia — begins to close in on Fidel Castro (Diego Boneta) to stop him from making a pivotal speech at the United Nations after rising to power in Cuba. But when Castro unexpectedly relocates to Harlem’s Hotel Theresa at the invitation of Malcolm X (Kendrick Sampson), a CIA operative (Al Pacino), a young translator (Xolo Maridueña), and a hotel worker (KiKi Layne) all become embroiled in a covert plot against Castro to turn this tightening web of political tension and surveillance into a defining moment in history.
In Metropia, a gigantic city in an alternate future as seen from 1939, private eye Raymond Gunn is drawn into a case involving aliens, murder, and a multimedia star named Venus Nova. A neo-noir animated blend of “Buck Rogers meets The Maltese Falcon.”
Through intimate firsthand accounts from its staff, this film revisits Windows on the World, the iconic restaurant atop the World Trade Center, exploring how it became a symbol of New York City before its story ended o
From Academy Award-Nominated, Emmy-Winning Filmmakers Julie Cohen & Betsy West
Through firsthand accounts from former staff—including wine master Kevin Zraly, chef Michael Lomonaco, and survivors whose lives were forever changed by September 11—the documentary captures the community, ambition, and opportunity that defined the restaurant, as well as the devastating loss of 79 employees in the attacks.
Featuring archival recordings from restaurateur Joe Baum and culinary contributions from Katie Lee, the film brings the people and food that made Windows legendary back to life.
Q&A Tastings: Bebemos Tequila and Balsamico Italian Kitchen
This is the true story of a 1,300 mile pilgrimage by a father and his two teenage children. The Via Francigena is an ancient route running from Canterbury to Rome, through four countries and over the Alps. The family's journey rejects modern conveniences, tests their limits, and demonstrates a "slow travel" ethos that prioritizes depth, immersion, and meaning over comfort, technology, and speed.
The Right Whale is an intimate and visually stunning documentary that follows the lives of right whales across the globe, from the icy waters of New Zealand and Argentina to the busy coastlines of North America. Through groundbreaking science and emotional storytelling, we meet individual whales like Bill, who swims from New Zealand to Antarctica and back, and Ruffian, rescued from deadly fishing gear.
Filmed over 7 years, The Right Whale features dramatic original footage of rare whale behavior. For the first time scientists witness a mother simultaneously nursing two calves in Australian waters. Intimate moments between mothers and their young, including a suckling rare white calf, are seen along Argentina’s coast.
Southern right whales are one of the greatest conservation success stories of the last century, however their Northern cousins face mounting threats from ship strikes, entanglement, and industrial noise. The Right Whale is both a celebration of resilience and a powerful call to action, revealing the intelligence, grace, and vulnerability of these magnificent creatures, and the urgent need to protect them.
Join us for Q&A with filmmakers follow the screening.
Moscow, 1996. Andrey Rubanov, a young and enterprising banker, has a wife named Irma and a small child. He also has over a million dollars — split with his friend Misha. Seeing themselves as the future elite of the new Russia, destined to become oligarchs, they get involved in a major deal. But it turns out that the friends have been drawn into a large-scale scheme to embezzle billions from the state treasury. After his arrest, Andrey ends up in an overcrowded communal cell...
Moscow, 1996. Andrey Rubanov, a young and enterprising banker, has a wife named Irma and a small child. He also has over a million dollars — split with his friend Misha. Seeing themselves as the future elite of the new Russia, destined to become oligarchs, they get involved in a major deal. But it turns out that the friends have been drawn into a large-scale scheme to embezzle billions from the state treasury. After his arrest, Andrey ends up in an overcrowded communal cell...
After the first Atomic test at Trinity Site the military went into full expansion mode that unexpectedly brought a unusual and unexpected nemesis.
"This isn't about myths or folklore. It's a rigorous examination of documented events that challenge our understanding of what happened in the skies above America's atomic frontier." — Larry L. Sheffield
About the Film — The Cosmic Trigger
The Cosmic Trigger: Trinity 1945 is a feature-length documentary produced by Sheffield in collaboration with co-director Trent J. Di Giulio. The film asks a provocative question that has haunted military historians and researchers for decades: did the detonation of the world's first atomic bomb signal humanity's presence to something watching from beyond?
LINE COOKS is a coming of age mockumentary following Callie, a straight-A and sheltered college student who takes a job as line cook at a hole in the wall restaurant to secure a letter of recommendation… only to find out this Korean-taco joint is run by ex-cons and cartel members. Callie is spirited into the world of backroom restaurant cooks, startled by cigarette smoke and health hazards aplenty. Working alongside a take-no-shit mom-of-three manager, a trio of rebellious teens, an ex-cartel vet, and a dumpster rat named Carl, it’ll take all of Callie’s willpower to make it through her first shift, let alone an entire summer. Full of wit, fun, and OSHA violations, LINE COOKS follows an unlikely team of customer service heroes leading up to the dreaded health inspector’s visit at the end of the summer.
Join us for a Filmmaker Q&A following the screening.
LINE COOKS is a coming of age mockumentary following Callie, a straight-A and sheltered college student who takes a job as line cook at a hole in the wall restaurant to secure a letter of recommendation… only to find out this Korean-taco joint is run by ex-cons and cartel members. Callie is spirited into the world of backroom restaurant cooks, startled by cigarette smoke and health hazards aplenty. Working alongside a take-no-shit mom-of-three manager, a trio of rebellious teens, an ex-cartel vet, and a dumpster rat named Carl, it’ll take all of Callie’s willpower to make it through her first shift, let alone an entire summer. Full of wit, fun, and OSHA violations, LINE COOKS follows an unlikely team of customer service heroes leading up to the dreaded health inspector’s visit at the end of the summer.
In Los Angeles, shy teenager AJ meets Kristen, an avid surfer. They fall madly in love, but everything changes when Kristen is struck by illness — together they face adversity through the strength of their love, friendship, and shared passion for surfing and the ocean. Animated, adapted from AJ Dungo's autobiographical graphic novel.
In Los Angeles, shy teenager AJ meets Kristen, an avid surfer. They fall madly in love, but everything changes when Kristen is struck by illness — together they face adversity through the strength of their love, friendship, and shared passion for surfing and the ocean. Animated, adapted from AJ Dungo's autobiographical graphic novel.
Eight-year-old Josephine witnesses a brutal sexual assault while jogging with her father in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park. As fear and paranoia take hold, she begins acting out, haunted by what she saw — while her devoted but deeply conflicted parents navigate how to support her, especially as police ask her to testify.
Eight-year-old Josephine witnesses a brutal sexual assault while jogging with her father in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park. As fear and paranoia take hold, she begins acting out, haunted by what she saw — while her devoted but deeply conflicted parents navigate how to support her, especially as police ask her to testify.
Cheryl just wants to have a nice dinner party with her old Hollywood friends. But one of her friends has gone missing. Or he's actually dead. But his instagram is still active. Where is Henry? While it IS concerning, the point is Cheryl needs to find out if she got a role in in this new Hollywood movie her friend is making and she needs to know tonight. Ambitions and friendships collide as these old friends and a young ingenue try to find meaning in their lives amidst the wine and the glistering moon and the madness of being an artist.
Cheryl just wants to have a nice dinner party with her old Hollywood friends. But one of her friends has gone missing. Or he's actually dead. But his instagram is still active. Where is Henry? While it IS concerning, the point is Cheryl needs to find out if she got a role in in this new Hollywood movie her friend is making and she needs to know tonight. Ambitions and friendships collide as these old friends and a young ingenue try to find meaning in their lives amidst the wine and the glistering moon and the madness of being an artist.
Q&A with filmmakers will follow the screening.
POVERTY TRAP examines how big plans to end poverty broke the promise of America, and what communities are doing to renew it.
From the legacy of urban renewal and the War on Poverty to today's sprawling network of social programs, many attempts to fight poverty have kept people stuck. As Lee Moore of Jackson, Mississippi puts it: "It's hard to make it out."
Drawing on more than 130 interviews across 16 states, the film traces a sweeping story of policy failure and lost communities, but also redemption—finding purpose after prison, dignity reclaimed from addiction and homelessness, and revival around “a little garden” in South Dallas.
POVERTY TRAP exposes the tragedy of empowering expertise at the expense of human relationships. It features the American stories of people binding together to find another way, through friendship, community, courage, and grace.
Join us for a Filmmaker Q&A following the screening.
POVERTY TRAP examines how big plans to end poverty broke the promise of America, and what communities are doing to renew it.
From the legacy of urban renewal and the War on Poverty to today's sprawling network of social programs, many attempts to fight poverty have kept people stuck. As Lee Moore of Jackson, Mississippi puts it: "It's hard to make it out."
Drawing on more than 130 interviews across 16 states, the film traces a sweeping story of policy failure and lost communities, but also redemption—finding purpose after prison, dignity reclaimed from addiction and homelessness, and revival around “a little garden” in South Dallas.
POVERTY TRAP exposes the tragedy of empowering expertise at the expense of human relationships. It features the American stories of people binding together to find another way, through friendship, community, courage, and grace.
A female lawyer returns to her hometown of Brisbane after a decade away and is forced to work alongside her ex, who is now married with a child.
An explosive cinematic rollercoaster about a group of visionaries and misfits with an idea for a new kind of news — one that would give people what they want and change the face of the world. Chronicles Rupert Murdoch's 1969 acquisition of British tabloid The Sun.
A gifted cellist, Alex Serian, returns home to Los Angeles after 20 years on the road. Music, the constant, all-consuming river of his life, carries him on an adventure that will change him forever — a love letter to music and the people who make it.
Kenny Loggins - multi-platinum, Grammy, Emmy-winning Songwriter/Recording Artist - was a shy, gawky kid with low self-esteem. He thought he had to create a persona to do the rock star thing. Kenny spent the subsequent 50 years reinventing himself. His career has been a journey into being himself.
Join us for a Filmmaker Q&A following the screening.
A bold reimagining of Virginia Woolf's Mrs. Dalloway, set in contemporary Lagos, Nigeria. Society woman Clarissa prepares to host a party at her home, where she unexpectedly encounters once-intimate friends from her youth, giving rise to a bittersweet reckoning with love, hidden desires, and lost aspirations.
More Details coming soon.
Join Senior Editor, News and Awards at Gold Derby, Mia McNiece as she interviews two artists, that create a Dream Team, from one film and how their respective roles contributed the success of the film.
Details coming soon.
Casting is one of filmmaking's most under-recognized art forms—the invisible hand shaping everything an audience feels before a single line is spoken. Join leading casting directors and industry professionals as they reveal how the right actor transforms a script into a story, and how a single casting decision can define the tone, chemistry, and success of a film or series. From discovering new talent to building unforgettable ensembles, this panel explores the instinct, strategy, and collaboration behind bringing characters to life.
Back by popular demand, this panel features the Screenwriting Competition Head Jury, sharing their expertise on the craft of screenwriting. They'll tackle questions like, "How do I know when I am 'done' writing?", and how writers can find collaborators to get their work off the page and onto the screen. Explore recent breakout films emerging into the mainstream from non-traditional routes, and how writers can approach screenwriting with the mind of a producer.
Susan Cartsonis Partner / Co-Founder. The Hollywood Reporter named Susan Cartsonis one of the top five grossing producers of the year for What Women Want—the highest grossing romantic comedy of all time at the time of its release starring Academy Award-winners Mel Gibson and Helen Hunt—and Where the Heart Is starring Academy Award-winner Natalie Portman. She has produced recent hits for Netflix including True Spirit, starring Academy Award-winner Anna Paquin. The movies that she’s supervised have amassed more than 1B in theatrical box office worldwide.
Cartsonis was Senior VP of Production 20th Century Fox where she worked for a decade, developing and supervising iconic films including Nell starring Academy Award-winner Jodie Foster, French Kiss starring Academy Award and Tony Award winner Kevin Kline, For the Boys starring Academy Award winner Bette Midler, Dying Young starring Academy Award-winner Julia Roberts, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer which launched a billion dollar television franchise. She also supervised talent deals for Fox such as that of Academy Award winner Peter Farrelly (Green Book, There’s Something About Mary), Academy Award-winner Geena Davis (Thelma & Louise, The Accidental Tourist), Golden Globe Award winner Richard Gere, and Golden Globe Award-winner Johnny Depp.Cartsonis is a member of the Motion Picture Academy, the Television Academy and the Producer’s Guild. She serves on the board of The Writer’s Lab founded by Meryl Streep, co-funded by Nicole Kidman and Oprah Winfrey. She serves on the board of the non- profit screenwriters’ workshop, Cinestory, and teaches at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts.
She recently produced Sitting In Bars With Cake for Amazon starring Yara Shahidi, Odessa A’zion, and Bette Midler, which premiered September 2023, with her Resonate partners.
Suzanne Farwell Partner / Co-Founder A longtime collaborator of writer-director Nancy Meyers, Suzanne Farwell has produced some of the most commercially successful comedies in recent history and worked with many of the industry’s most recognized and sought-after talents.
After receiving her early training at the William Morris Agency, Farwell began her production career on the set of Walt Disney Pictures’ remake of *The Parent Trap*. As President of Waverly Films at Sony Pictures Entertainment, she co-produced the critically acclaimed 2003 box-office success *Something’s Gotta Give*, starring Academy Award winners Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton. She later served as executive producer of the 2006 worldwide hit *The Holiday*, starring Academy Award winner Kate Winslet, Academy Award nominee Jude Law, and Golden Globe nominees Cameron Diaz and Jack Black.
In 2009, Farwell executive produced *It’s Complicated*, starring Academy Award winners Meryl Streep and Steve Martin and Emmy Award winner Alec Baldwin. In 2015, she produced *The Intern*, starring Academy Award winners Robert De Niro and Anne Hathaway, for Warner Bros. Pictures.
Farwell also produced the 2017 independent feature film *Carrie Pilby*, starring Bel Powley, Nathan Lane, Gabriel Byrne, Jason Ritter, and Vanessa Bayer. The film premiered at the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival and was released theatrically by The Orchard and on Netflix in 2017.
In 2016, Farwell founded Resonate Entertainment with Susan Cartsonis and Brent Emery, her producing partners on *Carrie Pilby*. Under the Resonate banner, she served as executive producer of the 2020 Netflix original film *Feel the Beat*, starring Sofia Carson, and the Disney Channel Original Movie *Upside-Down Magic*.
Her additional credits include Disney’s hit musical *Zombies 3*, which premiered on Disney+ in July 2022, and Amazon’s *Sitting in Bars with Cake*, starring Yara Shahidi, Odessa A’zion, and Bette Midler, which premiered in September 2023.
A dynamic conversation with the women shaping the future of the industry. Meet the groundbreaking women redefining cinema’s future. This panel unites producers, filmmakers, and creative leaders to share insights, challenges, and triumphs from the set to the studio. A powerful discussion on leadership, representation, and the impact of female voices in shaping storytelling.
Presented by DEADLINE
Moderated by Destiny Jackson, Deadline
Destiny joined Deadline in September 2022 after a freelance writing career that includes working at the Oscars, Netflix, Marvel, IGN and Script Magazine to name a few. When not stuck behind her laptop, she can be found haunting her local cinema, listening to Coldplay or looking for pictures of Spider-Man. She’s based in Los Angeles.
Mission Forward — A Free Community Panel
Investing in film can be as thrilling as the movies themselves. This panel pulls back the curtain on funding models, market trends, and the balance of risks and rewards in both studio and independent projects. Industry experts will share what investors look for, how data and algorithms shape decisions, and why financing films remains both an art and a business.
Moderator: Steve Alexander
Steve Alexander is a producer and actor best known as executive producer of The Secret Art of Human Flight (Tribeca Film Festival, 2023), in which he also appeared. He and his wife and actress, Idylia Hachi, are founding partners of AHA Productions, where their next project is The Species with Sir Anthony Hopkins and Charlotte Rampling. Alexander is executive producing the upcoming film Nuur (2025), directed by Lula Ali Ismaïl and adapted from Hassan Ghedi Santur's novel, The Youth of God. He is the executive producer of the documentary, My Elephant Odyssey (2025), produced and directed by Caitlin O’Connell-Rodwell and Timothy Rodwell. In 2025, he joined the board of The Museum at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts in New York, on the site of the original 1969 Woodstock Music & Art Fair.
Alysha Haran, Producer, Director and COO Chula Vista Entertainment Center, Alysha's career started in theater before moving to LA where she produced commercials and music videos. After a change in plans spared her from the events of 9/11, she spent 17 years serving as a US Navy Officer. A member of the Dramatist Guild with degrees in Directing and Creative Writing, she has been a senior manager for ABC Studios at Walt Disney Television
for the past 5 years.
Carole McGorrian has had a 35-year career in the motion picture industry. Early on, she oversaw budgets and production costs for independent film finance companies. Carole has spent the last 20 plus years as a production representative in the film completion guarantor business with over 100 films to her credit.
Mission Forward — A Free Community Panel
As the industry evolves, so do the standards for working with talent. This panel unpacks the latest SAG-AFTRA best practices, key industry shifts, and the benefits of hiring union members. Learn the differences between union and non-union productions, the protections SAG-AFTRA provides, and how professional actors can elevate a film’s quality and marketability. A must-attend for all guild members, filmmakers and producers navigating today’s filmmaking landscape.
Christine Altan - Moderator, Actor & Filmmaker, CIFF SAG-AFTRA Liaison
Larry Poole, San Diego SAG-AFTRA President
Jordan Jacobo is an Emmy-nominated performer, director and producer who has developed and appeared in various films and series, and currently serves as host of the KPBS digital series, "Jordan Loves.” Beyond filmmaking, Jordan serves on the boards of several arts advocacy organizations, with a focus on helping develop and strengthen a cross-border film economy across Baja and Southern California.
DJ Summitt is the owner and director at Summitt FilmWorks, a motion design and animation studio, as well as Head of Motion at SiriusXM. At over 18 years experience he's been in motion design since before it had a name. By combining broadcast, commercial, and concert art he has developed experiences for Carrie Underwood,the San Diego Padres, Jennifer Lopez, The Masked Singer, Fox5, Pearl Jam, and the Las Vegas Raiders to name just a few. He loves music, horror movies, and tacos but probably not in that order. He is currently the President at The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Pacific Southwest division.
Marianne Bates is an award-winning producer, writer and actor. She has received numerous Emmy nominations and awards. Over the years, Marianne acted while also producing several multiple-day live entertainment events and theatrical productions. After taking a hiatus to raise her children, she came back to the entertainment world to follow her dreams. In 2010 she joined forces with Amalgamated Grommets. She also served as a Board Member for San Diego Media Pros for eight years. She is currently the Treasurer for the The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Pacific Southwest division.
The entertainment landscape is evolving at lightning speed. From AI and streaming dominance to shifting audience habits and Hollywood’s new realities, industry leaders explore the forces reshaping film and television. Gain insights into the future of content creation, marketing, and distribution in this pivotal conversation.
Presented by MovieMaker
Moderated by : Tim Molloy, editor of MovieMaker Magazine and MovieMaker.com, writing about the art and craft of moviemaking, as well as film schools, festivals and more.
Jon Fitzgerald - Founder & CEO - Cause Pictures
Jon has thirty years of experience in the independent film space. As a filmmaker with impact driven Cause Pictures, he has produced a number of award-winning documentaries; and as a consultant, he has guided many independent film projects through the maze of festivals and distribution models. As a co-founder of the Slamdance Film Festival (1995), he led the event the next two seasons before being named the Festival Director for the prestigious AFI Film Festival in 1997. After running AFI Fest for three years (1997-1999), he created a consulting business, guiding the launch of numerous film festivals (Bahamas, Lone Star, Orlando). Jon continues to help filmmakers navigate the festival circuit and alternative distribution models, while sharing insights, articles and videos through On the Circuit. In October of 2012, Jon authored his first book, entitled Filmmaking for Change: Make Films That Transform the World.
OPENING NIGHT! Badge Holders Only
DOORS OPEN AT 6:00 | FILM BEGINS 6:30
Specialty Cocktails by:
The true story of Sylvester Stallone's unshakable belief that he wasn't just meant to write Rocky — he was meant to be Rocky Balboa. After penning the script, Stallone gambled everything on himself, refusing offer after offer unless he could star in the lead role.
AFTER PARTY
The celebration doesn’t stop when the credits roll! Badge holders are invited to an exclusive Private Opening Night After Party at The Tavern. Savor handcrafted cocktails, indulge in delectable passed bites, and dance the night away as DJ TeeLynn keeps the energy alive.
This is the can’t-miss gathering to toast the start of the festival, connect with fellow film lovers, and celebrate in true CIFF style.
Be sure to pick up your wristband at Opening Night check-in for entry to this unforgettable evening!
A vibrant program showcasing the creativity and vision of the next generation of storytellers.
The films included in this showcase are: Front Row, In the Still of the Night, Little Fierce Loong, The Sea and She, Shift, We Bloom in Spring, The River of Lethe, East Meets West, ¡Que Suene La Banda!, Golden Swingers, The Expiration Date
There will be a 25 minute intermission during this screening.
A Filmmaker Q&A will follow the screenings.
In the volatile moments after a car crash, before the authorities arrive, a hot-headed yet desperate tow truck driver fiercely protects his tow. But the situation quickly spirals out of his control.
Suzanne realizes she has come out on top of her divorce when her ex-husband, Magnus, asks for a favor: babysit the three-year-old daughter, he fathered with the woman he left Suzanne for.
Determined to move on from her cheating, narcissistic ex, a woman shows up to a support group, desperate for a fresh start. Within seconds, she spills her darkest fears, lingering insecurities, and most awkward confessions to a circle of strangers until her search for healing takes an unexpected turn.
In a world where marriages have an expiration date, a couple arrives at the courthouse to renew their contract — only to find the process reveals more than they expected.
Quique and Alfonso, two grumpy 80-year-old grandpas, must venture into a swingers' club to find one of their friends. Will this unconventional setting help them rebuild their complicated friendship?
As Javier, a classically trained trombone player, prepares for a pivotal college audition, he’s asked to perform with his father’s banda group, forcing him to confront the cultural roots he’s tried to keep quiet at his elite private school. When a video of the performance circulates among his peers, embarrassment erupts into a painful rift between father and son. To move forward in music and life, Javier must reconcile youthful ambition with family, heritage, and the sound he’s been running from.
Inspired by the 1930s court case Roldan v. Los Angeles County, Filipino Salvador Roldan and English Marjorie Rogers must find a way to convince an attorney to fight for their marriage despite the anti-miscegenation laws of the time.
In the quiet light of morning, nestled in the meadows beyond a rural care home, a reticent old man named Mr. Lethe and an idealistic young caretaker named Eris begin a wordless exchange that unearths something long dormant. As the two tend to a small sapling in the still earth, grief and memory stir between the gestures. Beneath the rhythm of digging and the breaking of brittle branches, the roots settle into the earth, so too does something once thought lost.
A story about the women of the Myanmar resistance; the immense capabilities of the human spirit, and strength in unity amidst a country’s battle for democracy. Despite heartbreaking losses, the hopes of these women is that, like spring, their fight will lead to new beginnings.
When idealistic rookie cop Ethan Hart is paired with jaded officer Riley Dawson, their opposing philosophies about control and accountability surface on patrol. What begins as routine duty gradually exposes deeper fault lines between them, culminating in a shift that reshapes Ethan's understanding of power, responsibility, and the cost of wearing the badge.
Narrated by 5-time World Champion surfer Carissa Moore, "The Sea and She" is a coming-of-age surf documentary about Sunny Kazama, a teenager from Hawai'i whose journey reaches far beyond the lineup. Framed by the emotional stakes of a pivotal competitive season and a transformative gap year, the film traces her path from a child learning to ride waves in Waikīkī to a young woman finding purpose in both sport and advocacy.
Raised in the rhythm of the ocean, Sunny grew up with surfing as both playground and teacher, absorbing lessons in patience, humility, resilience, and change.
As her surfing deepens, so does her understanding of what the sport means to her community. While training for contests, pushing herself in bigger surf, and navigating the uncertainty of early adulthood, Sunny also takes on a different kind of challenge: advocating for surfing to be recognized and funded as a high school sport in Hawai’i, becoming the first and only state in the USA to do so. Her work carries her from the beach to congressional hearings, from wetsuit to pant suit, revealing a young athlete learning to speak up for the culture and community that shaped her.
Blending poetic ocean imagery, intimate family history, and the physical beauty and risk of surfing, "The Sea and She" is a portrait of a young woman in motion—driven by love for the sea, her heritage, and the next generation. At once personal and universal, the film explores identity, courage, and what it means to grow into your voice while still learning to ride the unpredictable waves beneath you.
When two lonely children from vastly different worlds clash over a magical Chinese wooden dragon, their shared imagination takes them on a surreal journey that reshapes their beliefs.
On a Day of the Dead night, Jesús, a 10-year-old Mexican kid, longs to meet his paternal grandfather, Rubén, whom he never met. Convinced that Rubén will visit him that night, Jesus waits anxiously by the altar, but he falls asleep. To his surprise, he is awakened by the figure of his grandfather, who takes him on an emotional night journey where they get to know each other. Jesus finally met his paternal grandfather and Rubén was able to send a last message to his son Mateo, asking for forgiveness. By communicating the message the next morning, Jesus finally convinces his parents of the reality of his encounter with Rubén, confirming the existence of visits from the afterlife on the Day of the Dead, leading them to believe in the colorful Mexican tradition of Day of the Dead and to find reconciliation and healing in the family.
A sound guy at a comedy club remembers his late brother's advice to overcome his fear of doing stand-up.
Mission Forward — A Free Community Screening
A vibrant program showcasing the creativity and vision of the next generation of storytellers.
The films included in this showcase are: The Hard Way Home, Us and Them, The Backseat, Constellations of the Sea, Grow Up
A Filmmaker Q&A will immediately follow the screenings.
In postwar Lithuania, a Soviet patrol tracking rebels forces a captive musician to guide them through the forest. When a haunting song lures them into an abandoned bunker, they become the prey of an ancient witch who haunts the woods.
When 12-year-old Kai is forced to recognise that his older brother has outgrown their childhood fantasy games, he decides it’s time to grow up - but is he ready?
A 17-year-old filmmaker joins a Maldives research team to document the growing challenge of protecting endangered whale sharks at the center of a global tourism industry.
In The Backseat, Barry, a shy and timid senior in high school, crumbles under the pressure of his classmates and teacher the minute before his big solo performance. Amidst the chaos of the evening, Barry has a panic attack and wakes up in the back of his subconscious. From this room, Barry is forced to watch as his body and life are taken over by a more confident and ambitious alter ego who accomplishes what Barry could only dream of. As his life moves away from him, Barry is forced to take back control and accomplish what he’s always wanted to.
When a 15-year-old filmmaker conducts the first youth-led in-depth interview with Ameca, the most expressive humanoid robot on Earth, the Q&A blossoms into an unexpected friendship that dissolves the boundary between silicon and soul.
Inspired by true events, The Hard Way Home is a coming-of-age drama about a boy whose innocence is shattered by domestic chaos, forcing him to confront the past he has spent years trying to escape.
This curated collection of films that celebrate food, culture, and creativity through the lens of culinary storytelling. Our relationship with food, where it is sourced and how we gather is part of our culture. Join us for this special event!
The films included in this showcase are:
A Vineyard Cinderella
Malagousiá: From Forgotten Vine to Fairytale Wine. The humble Cinderella of the vineyard was forgotten until a prince made her a queen. The story of the Greek grape variety Malagousiá is a fairytale woven from the taste of its grapes and the rhythm of a waltz.
Director & Producer: Vassilis Loules
Runtime: 10 minutes
Country: Greece
The Art of Sharing
Michelin-starred chef and multidisciplinary artist Minh H. Phan explores the dual crises of food waste and hunger from a refugee’s perspective. She creates an art installation and culinary experience that reveal her findings.
Along the way, we meet the farmers, distributors, and recipients connected by the food supply chain—people whose lives depend on the bridge between food waste and abundance, and food deserts and insecurity. The Art of Sharing is a powerful call to action, urging viewers to rethink food systems and join the movement toward generational health.
Director: Ricardo Serena
Producers: Jen Serena, Nkemdilim Nwosu, Ric Serena
Principal Cast: Award-winning chef Minh H. Phan
Runtime: 20 minutes
Country: United States
The Sideways Phenomenon
Over California’s 200-year wine history, one modern event changed its course forever: the unexpected success of the 2004 Academy Award-winning film Sideways. The film’s main character, Miles, was obsessed with Pinot Noir and disdained Merlot. His preferences sparked a worldwide phenomenon: international Merlot sales plummeted, Pinot Noir mania took hold, and a new generation of everyday California wine consumers emerged.
Director: Vanessa McMahon
Producer: Vanessa McMahon
Runtime: 29 minutes
Country: United States
Tastings by: Fox Point Farms, FigJam, The Vault, Marchelle
Q&A Guests: Nkemdilim Nwosu, Vanessa McMahon, Travis Elder, Joel Jordan, and Kevin Wu
Tastings Chef: Joel Jordan | Haven Farm + Table, Fox Point Farms
A farm-to-table chef with more than a decade of culinary experience, Joel Jordan was formerly of The Yasai and Glass Box. Haven Farm + Table is a Best of North County Gold Award winner.
The humble Cinderella of the Vineyard was forgotten until the prince made her a queen. The real story of the Greek variety Malagousiá is like a fairytale woven from the taste of its grapes and the rhythm of a waltz.
Multiple agencies and volunteers come together after the Palisades Fire in Los Angeles, CA to rescue an endangered fish population before they are threatened to be completely wiped out by an upcoming mudslide.
Michelin-star Chef and multidisciplinary artist, Minh H Phan, explores the dual crises of food waste and hunger from a refugee’s perspective – and creates an art installation and culinary experience that reveals her findings. Along the way, we’ll meet the people most impacted – the farmers, distributors and recipients of this food bond – the people whose lives depend on the supply bridge connecting the food waste and abundance to the food deserts and insecurity. "The Art of Sharing" is a powerful call to action, urging viewers to rethink food systems and join the movement towards generational health.
In 200 years of California wine history, one modern event changed the course of California wine history forever, the 2004 film "Sideways". With the unexpected success of the academy award-winning movie, its main character Miles' obsession with Pinot Noir and distaste for Merlot caused a worldwide phenomenon, plummeting international Merlot sales alongside a Pinot Noir mania, and the explosion of the Everyman California wine consumer.
A captivating collection of films that delve into life’s unexpected disruptions, exploring how sudden events and chance encounters can alter the course of personal journeys.
The films included in this showcase are: The Acres, Nip, A Sleeper's Silence, Faustino, Your Own Boss, A Mother's Love
A Filmmaker Q&A will follow the screenings.
When Phillip has an accident that delays his return to work, John decides to visit him in the hospital as often as he can. And he comes baring gifts.
An addict on a late night cigarette run lands in an awkward position.
Tess is minutes into a blind date when the world suddenly collapses. Should she accept Sebastian’s offer to escape to his remote island? It would mean leaving behind everyone she loves for an uncertain future with a stranger. It might also be her only chance to survive. She’s got six minutes to decide.
For 80 years, Elías hasn’t been his true self. Until today.
In a forgotten part of America, two young friends seek a brief reprieve from their travels in a rundown diner. Lost and hungry, they must learn to trust each other to manage their anxiety, as the truth of the town comes into focus. Tensions rise as the sun sets on the young couple, who have clearly overstayed their welcome.
Young locksmith Anders is called to aid the authorities on a forced removal. His job is solely to open the door, but as the situation unfolds he is faced with a dillema: By doing his job, is he enabling a harmful situation forced upon an innocent family?
Mahan is a taxi driver in Vienna, but his job frustrates him. He longs for his family and a normal life. One rainy night, a homeless woman gets into his taxi. She urgently wants to see her son, whose birthday it is. Mahan tries to get rid of her and accidentally breaks her present. To make up for the damage, he takes the strange woman on one last trip through the dark city.
A psychological drama unfolds that in all its heaviness is intended to give a spark of hope.
On a beach road, a teenage boy and his mother hit something with their car - she insists it was nothing, but as the night unfolds the boy begins to doubt her story.
A captivating collection of films that explore chance encounters, unexpected twists, and the choices that shape our paths.
The films included in this showcase are: Lion Rock, Nightfaces, The Overlook, Best Practices, Sundown, Inside, Lucky
A powerful collection of films that explore hidden struggles, difficult choices, and the lasting impact of personal decisions.
The films included in this showcase are: Ben's Sister, Bobby, Poisoned Skies, The Country They Call Life, Child of the Rouge, All the Real Boys, Vultures, Hill of Witches.
Join us for a Filmmaker Q&A following the screening.
An estranged couple reunite for a mysterious errand in the woods.
Christine enters The Acres estate with gardening tools and a plan, but then she encounters Ama, a lonely new mother. Ama reminds Christine of the early days of motherhood, a simpler time before things took a turn.
A food delivery worker struggles to juggle his responsibilities as a young father with the demands of an algorithm that pushes him to the limit.
Faustino, a 70-year-old retiree, visits his bank daily. But today is closing day, and Ramón, the branch manager, wants no distractions. To speed things up, he brings Faustino into his office—unaware that he didn’t come just to handle paperwork, and that this day will be unforgettable.
Beate, 43, lives with her husband Uwe and their eight-year-old son Benjamin in a small town. On the surface, they appear to be an ordinary family—yet they are still reeling from the tragic bus accident that claimed the life of their eldest daughter, twelve-year-old Jana. The loss continues to weigh heavily on Beate, piercing through her daily life like a wound that refuses to heal.
When Benjamin is unexpectedly summoned to the police for questioning, Beate learns that her own son carries partial responsibility for the accident.
This revelation shatters her. A storm of emotions begins to rage within her, pushing her into a psychological limbo between grief and maternal love. She can barely look Benjamin in the eyes without seeing in him the cause of her daughter’s death.
How is she supposed to face her child now?
How can she reconcile his innocence with the unbearable weight of guilt?
In 2015 during the last weekend before graduation in Mill Valley, California, Ben and his friends are hell-bent on winning the Senior Scavenger Hunt, which involves completing outrageous, sexual, and illegal tasks—all filmed and posted on Facebook. In their quest to win, Ben goes a bit overboard with his ex, and his friend’s end up roping in Emma, his freshman sister. Wanting to be cool and one of the guys, Emma gets sucked into their plan to rack up points without realizing it. Ben suddenly feels compelled to protect her, which sparks a dilemma: confront his friends at the Post-Scav Hunt party or play it cool and enjoy his final moments of high school with his bros.
Jay helms a group of young incarcerated men as they go about their routine litter pick up. He keeps it light and airy with his cohorts, Chris and Chase. However, when their fellow inmate Rene can't get through to Darius, Jay attempts to save Darius from himself.
The films included in this showcase are: Wild Hope: Project Shark, Wild Hope: The Butterfly Effect, My Wild Life, Fish for the Future, Plant Life
Join us for a Q&A immediately following the screening.
On the morning of the battle of Dunkirk, a young man with a degenerative eye condition decides to take action against all odds in service of his countrymen - based on a true story.
The recounting of a tale about a young girl who had a traumatic coming into this world on April 17th 1975 when the Khmer Rouge entered Phnom Penh.
Biologist Joanne Chory is undertaking the final mission of her lauded career: supercharging crop plants to sequester carbon deep into Earth's soil, with the goal of cutting the pace of climate change in half. But she’s racing the two ticking clocks of ecological collapse and her own advancing Parkinson’s disease.
Multiple agencies and volunteers come together after the Palisades Fire in Los Angeles, CA to rescue an endangered fish population before they are threatened to be completely wiped out by an upcoming mudslide.
In 1954, an ambitious scientist on the brink of presenting groundbreaking pollution research is forced to make a moral decision when she becomes the target of a mining company responsible for a deadly smog disaster. Based on a true story.
In a kaleidoscope of memories Maxine (Sydney Cole Alexander; Severance, Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning) must navigate the surreal and transformative decision of terminating a pregnancy; questioning the very fabric of her identity and future.
My Wild Life is a vivid portrait of Suzi Eszterhas, a courageous wildlife photographer who has faced life-threatening challenges to capture her intimate images of newborn animals and family life in the wild. Suzi's story is about courage, love, and the quiet power of photography to reconnect us to our threatened natural world.
To help stop the rise of deforestation in Zanzibar, one village has begun to farm a promising new crop: butterflies.
The archipelago of Zanzibar is renowned for its white sand beaches and tropical rainforest teeming with wildlife, but new development and widespread unemployment threaten the forest. Jozani-Chwaka Bay is Zanzibar’s only national park and a biodiversity haven, even as the surrounding forests are rapidly disappearing. Due to a lack of economic opportunity, local residents resort to cutting the forest for firewood and charcoal to support their families. Butterfly farming could offer an attractive alternative source of income that leaves the forest intact.
The Zanzibar Butterfly Centre recruits community members in a nearby village to catch butterflies outside of the park’s boundaries. Farmers target pregnant females, which lay up to a hundred eggs, allowing them to raise generations of butterflies without depleting the local population. By creating an incentive to leave the forest intact so butterflies can flourish, this practice effectively creating a buffer zone of habitat around Jozani. Just as important, the Centre offers residents a sustainable source of income and has brought electricity, water, and schools to the island.
When a passionate shark conservationist partners with one of the top shark hunters in East Lombok, Indonesia to create an ecotourism venture called “Project Hiu,” their lives and that of those in their village are changed forever.
Madison “Shark Girl” Stewart didn’t know what awaited her when she ventured to Indonesia to find a shark fisherman willing to partner with her to build an ecotourism company. But her encounter with one of the most prolific shark hunters in East Lombok, Indonesia would change the course of both their lives and save thousands of sharks in the process. Together they formed “Project Hiu,” named for the local word for shark, to hire fishermen and their vessels to lead boat tours of Lombok’s rich marine life. These ecotours divert resources away from shark fishing on East Lombok’s Maringkik Island.
Seven years later, the positive impact that Project Hiu has had on the community has earned them local collaborators even on shark research, which gives scientists new insights into these mysterious predators. A group of unlikely allies bound by a bold, mutually beneficial idea have transformed a dangerous livelihood into a model for sustainable tourism.
A young journalist wakes up in the middle of the night on a deserted New York City street with bruises on her face and body and realizes, to her horror, that she has lost her memory and doesn't know who she is. When a stranger comes to her aid, she embarks on a disquieting journey to recover her identity and find out what happened to her.
The films included in this showcase are: The Public, A Crime Across Four Landscapes, Bloom, Broken Dawn, The Whole Thing, Remember This
Two strangers meeting at a crematorium while picking up their loved ones' remains. They decide to spend the day together, killing time and watching the world go by.
In the gentle hush of dawn, when the world rests, Young-ok(Squid Game Season 2, 3, Extraordinary Attorney Woo), an old woman, drifts through quiet streets. She drives others’ cars home, seeking a friendly voice.
To calm her lonely heart, she wanders the night. But harsh words and silent glances greet her, her quiet voice slipping into the dark.
Under a soft yellow glow, Young-ok keeps on driving, through a dawn that lingers, unanchored.
80-year-old Niels is faced with a life-changing decision when, after the death of his wife, he reveals a big secret he has kept for his entire life. The revelation sparks anger and sorrow in his daughter, who feels betrayed. While she struggles with the grief of losing her mother, Niels now stands on the verge of losing his daughter as well. Niels must figure out how to repair their bond while confronting the choices he has made throughout his long life.
When a small-town crime goes awry, the evidence is scattered across four picturesque landscapes in the American South - inviting viewers to piece together what happened.
The Public have just played the best gig of their lives, and for the first time, someone in a suit is interested. It feels like the moment they have been waiting for, but celebrations quickly descend into chaos. Andy, the band's quiet and devoted guitarist, watches as his dream begins to dissolve around him. A chain reaction is set in motion as secrets are exposed, loyalties shift, and buried tensions explode to the surface. As the night spirals further out of control, the frontman, Ted, is pulled toward a future that could take him away for good. Andy becomes desperate to save Ted from himself and hold everything together, even as it becomes clear that some things will never be the same.
An inspiring showcase of films that capture resilience, rivalry, and the spirit of competition—showing how the pursuit of victory reaches far beyond the field.
The films included in this showcase are: Panther Pat, Beauty, I Got Next, Submitting Tigers, Dick's-A-Thon
Join us for a Filmmaker Q&A following the screening.
26 Miles, 5 Meals, 1 Wild Tradition. Learn about Seattle's wackiest marathon and it's mission to honor a friend, and give back to the outdoors.
After surviving horrific childhood trauma and rising as a professional MMA fighter, Julija Pajic faces an unexpected crossroads when instability threatens her career - only to find unexpected healing, connection, and purpose among the street fighters and orphanages of Tanzania.
A young girl with an intellectual disability sets her sights on joining her local rec basketball team. When she begins training with a former high school basketball star haunted by personal loss, an unexpected bond forms—giving them both a shot at redemption.
Alejandro lost a leg. But he found a purpose: to improve the lives of those who, like him, live beyond the norm.
In 1970, a schoolteacher crashes into the brutal world of professional football, shattering its gender barrier.
More than 50 years after combat, three Vietnam War veterans are brought together by one picture.
A poet on his deathbed.
A disease that refused to explain itself.
And a scientist who spent decades chasing the question at the center of the disorder. Answering it took obsession, failure and faith that the next experiment might finally matter.
Giving Back Breath is a 20-minute documentary about the long road from suffering to discovery — and the lives changed along the way.
A filmmaker returns to his hometown that built the atomic bomb. There he meets the workers who created humanity's greatest weapon that now wrestle with their legacy, while their grandchildren inherit a world on the brink of nuclear catastrophe.
In February 2006, 19-year-old Renee Yohe was at the edge of death. With drugs in her system and a self-inflicted wound on her arm, she was denied entrance into a Florida rehab facility. Her friends spent five days looking after her while she detoxed, and eventually decided to write about the experience in a MySpace post.
At a time when it was taboo to talk about self-harm, the writing found its way around the world, reaching millions who had no other outlet to express how they were feeling. Powered largely by the punk rock scene, and then the music scene at large, the story would grow beyond anyone’s wildest expectations into a global movement that helped save thousands of people’s lives.
Filmed during the hottest days of Phoenix, Arizona’s summer heatwave, A NEW INFERNO follows paramedics as they race to save the lives of heatstroke victims using a radical new treatment: ice immersion therapy.
A diverse collection of documentary films capturing real lives, raw truths, and unexpected journeys.
The films included in this showcase are: A New Inferno, To Write Love, Born Secret, Giving Back Breath, The Picture
Join us for a Q&A immediately following the screening.
A diverse collection of documentary films capturing real lives, raw truths, and unexpected journeys.
The films included in this showcase are: Stalin Boys, Sole (얼), I Got My Brother, The Time My Grandmother Was Held Hostage by Bank Robbers, Body of Work
Join us for a Q&A immediately following the screening.
Introducing artist Eric Anfinson, who was critically injured at 16 and went on to achieve success as an artist, creating a body of work of over 700 paintings. Told through 8mm, cinematic recreations, intimate interviews, and archival footage.
On September 1, 1983, my grandmother Rosa Tursi, a feisty 72-year-old Italian immigrant, was watching her favorite soap opera, in her Montreal apartment when two guys who robbed a bank burst into her home armed with guns and a grenade and took her hostage.
My family has been telling this story for decades. But did this really happen as we remember it? Could it be that we’ve been exaggerating all these years? Or is the reality of what unfolded that day even wilder than any of us could have ever imagined?
In the short documentary The Time My Grandmother Was Held Hostage by Bank Robbers, I join members of my family to share our recollections of what happened that day to get to the truth. Along the way, a shocking discovery casts a whole new light on the incident.
Two brothers reflect on their candid and often humorous memories of surviving the foster care system and prison, realizing along the way that their path to healing has always been each other.
A Korean American cobbler in Nashville, Tennessee finds peace in his simple life.
Four Mexican-American middle school boys in a Texas border town have developed an unusual obsession: Joseph Stalin. When their teacher tells them about the Texas State History Fair, they write a play about the Soviet dictator - and his efforts to destroy all who opposed him. With cardboard props and fur hats purchased on the internet, the boys enter the competition as underdogs and leave home for the very first time.
An evocative collection of films that explore connection, identity, and the enduring bonds that shape our lives and communities.
The films included in this showcase are: Take Me Home, Chinaman, Head Case, The Pearl Comb, Em & Selma Go Griffin Hunting
A Filmmaker Q&A will immediately follow the screenings.
From BAFTA-winning Exec Producer Roy Lee (Weapons, How to Train Your Dragon, Barbarian, It, Welcome to Darry) comes an allegorical 1930s-set coming-of-age fable about mothers, daughters & the beasts they hunt. Starring HEREDITARY's Milly Shapiro and WALKING DEAD's Pollyanna McIntosh.
In 1893, a fisherman’s wife becomes the first person to cure someone of tuberculosis. A doctor, intent on proving a woman’s place is in the home and not practising medicine, investigates - only to discover the source of her unearthly power.
Ivy is forced to face her most existential fear since nearly dying: a dinner with her family.
Inspired by real events
Chinaman is set in a Chinese takeaway in the north of England, 1989. When a group of customers turn hostile, a father and his eldest son are forced into a confrontation that exposes everything they cannot say to each other. A BFI-funded short film written and directed by Chinese-British filmmaker Rob Chiu, and drawn from his own childhood, Chinaman is an unflinching portrait of inherited grief, racial hostility, and the cost of belonging nowhere.
The estranged relationship between an "always-too-busy" daughter and her mother who suffers from Alzheimer's comes to a head when the mother escapes from her assisted living facility to search for her husband.
A lighthearted and entertaining collection of films that find humor in unexpected places, offering witty, comedic takes on life’s challenges and absurdities.
The films included in this showcase are: Balloon Animals, Josephine's Untitled Storybook, Everything Is Brand, Hai Davai, Happy Birthday, Dorif, Daddy's Little Meatball
A Filmmaker Q&A will immediately follow the screenings.
On a trip to New York, an Australian father and daughter navigate the city and their strained relationship.
Greg, a struggling pianist, brings his nurse coworker to his grandmother Doris’ 70th birthday party, hoping she’ll accept in-home care while he leaves on tour. When he panics and pretends they’re dating, the lie sparks a poignant confrontation about grief, independence, and letting go.
On the cusp of leaving her rural Moldovan village for a new life abroad, Nina is stopped, quite literally, by an old superstition: a black cat has crossed the road. Her worried Grandmother refuses to let her pass, citing bad luck. What begins as a petty standoff quickly spirals into an absurdist village-wide standstill that forces Nina to confront exactly what she is leaving behind.
A marketing executive’s pitch becomes an existential crisis.
In a storybook world, a young woman faces growing up, as an artist, an adult, and a modern day human being.
Josephine is 28 years old, and she can't help thinking: someday she'll be 30. In this land of cardboard and crayola, she combats the realities of growing up as an already grown adult and trying to be an artist along the way.
Two grocery store employees have a helium-fueled encounter with a late-night customer.
A heartfelt collection of films that capture the complexities of love, connection, and the unexpected bonds that shape our lives.
The films included in this showcase are: Homebodies, Pencils Down, Leonardo, Don't Forget Me, Clean Slate, We Were Here
A Filmmaker Q&A will immediately follow the screenings.
In a crumbling Indian town, three retired men protest machines replacing human jobs by pretending to be household appliances.
When a new government-sanctioned program is implemented to reduce prison numbers by erasing violent offenders’ memories, the retribution falls to the survivors of their victims. A dystopian sci-fi that tackles social issues and the ripple effects of trauma.
Emery, a waitress stuck in a suffocating routine is suddenly drawn into an unexpected journey with a mysterious stranger, who may be the key to escaping her frustrations.
Inspired by the Vitruvian Man and the Leonardo DiCaprio syndrome, “Leonardo” imagines a near future in which Néstor, after losing his partner, seeks comfort in an artificial replica of her. What begins as a desperate attempt to revive their relationship seems to work... until an unexpected event changes everything.
When a woman discovers her co-worker dead at the office, she must find an immediate replacement or risk losing her own job.
In a near future where it literally costs money to leave the house, a burnt-out woman risks fraud when she pays her live-in boyfriend's 'exit toll' to get some alone time.
A dynamic selection of films that explore unique voices and fresh perspectives, offering powerful stories and thought-provoking themes.
The films included in this showcase are Captive Audience, Meeting Your Maker, For Niko, Like Father, Fire Lily
A Filmmaker Q&A will immediately follow the screenings.
One night, as a pandemic, protests and wildfires rage across the world, a brutal encounter between a police officer and a dancer spirals into a surreal reckoning. As violence flares, reality fractures — giving way to a poetic vision of resistance, repentance, and renewal.
A poignant look at the work of renowned children's author Richard Scarry as his son carries on the family legacy.
A single mother struggles to balance chasing her dreams and raising a child with special needs.
Life is hard. Puppets are soft. A feel-good movie about a puppet that kills himself.
Meeting Your Maker is a darkly whimsical short film that follows Otis, a beloved puppet on a long-running children’s show, as he faces an existential crisis just before the series’ milestone 300th episode.
Set against the vibrant chaos of a TV studio and the surreal backdrop of a puppeteer’s inner world, the story explores themes of identity, burnout, and the creative struggle, blurring the line between performer and creator in (hopefully) poignant and unexpectedly funny ways.
Rejected by the music industry, a disenchanted musician decides to perform his music to a different audience — animals at the zoo.
A powerful and imaginative selection of shorts that blend artistry, emotion, and inventive storytelling across cultures and styles.
The films included in this showcase are: Saba, On Saint Nicholas' Eve, Ball Lightening, The Whistle, Addicted to It, Murmuration, King Karno, Living with a Visionary
Q&A with filmmakers will follow the screenings.
Narrated by Academy Award nominee James Cromwell (Babe, L.A Confidential), and based on John Matthias’ memoir first published in The New Yorker, Living with a Visionary is a soulful, bittersweet reflection on John’s fifty-year marriage to Diana, an art curator grappling with Parkinson’s. As Diana’s medication besets her with vivid, often beautiful hallucinations, John, now her caregiver, adapts to her imaginary world. When the Covid-19 pandemic separates them, John is forced to admit he can no longer care for Diana, and struggles to free himself from a psychiatric ward. In John’s final phone conversation with a Covid-positive Diana, he reads her the first poem he ever wrote for her, and is left with the memories of her visions.
A clown falls passionately in love with a mannequin, embarking on a mad courtship that is ultimately shattered by a sudden return to reality.
An elderly man realises he’s suddenly turning into a bird.
Dace attempts the unthinkable: To go for a short walk without his phone. Unfortunately, his phone (“Phoney Bunny”) has other plans, coming to life and chasing him through the park. As he dodges his phone’s attempts to suck him back in, he encounters other screen-junkies and encourages them to do the same. Addicted to It is a fast and ridiculous metaphor for how we literally can’t do anything without our phones.
A Jewish doctor and his family are living a comfortable life in Cologne, Germany when, in 1938, the Nazis enact a law making it illegal for a Jewish doctor to treat non-Jews. The doctor defies that law and the consequences are harsh. Will his past determine his future? The Whistle is a testament to the power of empathy, hope, courage and integrity, even in the darkest times. Based on a true story.
Ball Lightning is the true story of a refugee who fled the personal and social effects of Soviet run East Germany after the end of WWII and immigrated to the United States in the 1960s. The story is told through the eyes of the surrogate daughter that she raised after she was forced to give away her own infant daughter as the iron curtain rose. Gusta serves as an example of survival, kindness and the fortitude of human resilience. The film is dedicated to her lost daughter, Esther, a reminder that the children separated from families because of war are never forgotten by those who love them.
After seeing a man lying in the snow, a boy recalls a Saint Nicholas night spent with his father years before. Playing with his father takes an unexpected turn, while his dream toy leaves a bitter aftertaste.
In an abstract and symbolic world where gravity is reversed, a unique bond forms between a grandfather and his grandson. As Saba, the grandfather guides the boy through this surreal reality, a violent storm strikes, tearing one of the ropes anchoring their home - and with it, their life together.
After suffering a devastating loss of Saba, the boy embarks on an emotional journey in search of closure. Through a stylized and poetic visual language, the film explores life’s fundamental questions: the paths we take, separation from those we love, and the endless effort to find closure, reconcile loss, and move forward.
A powerful and imaginative selection of shorts that blend artistry, emotion, and inventive storytelling across cultures and styles.
The films included in this showcase are: Leg Day, Three Words, They, Remember My Name, Bridge - My Little Friends, The Craftsman, Fold, Wildkind, Whale 52
Q&A with filmmakers will immediately follow the screenings.
Magical Realism. A third-grade student who's selectively mute and a grieving 80-year-old school volunteer discover that some of the deepest conversations only require a single word.
Voiced by three generations of one family, WildKind is a poem painted to awaken the senses, a fluid journey of hope and healing across our shared watercolour motherland. A universal bedtime story, a call to nurture a life wild and kind.
A grieving boy folds a paper house that holds a magical secret -- one that will shape his life forever.
Blending artificial intelligence with traditional storytelling, this short animated film explores the quiet legacy of a man whose hands told stories louder than words—offering a moving tribute to the power of reinvention, generational memory, and art born from history.
"I'll bring Shiro to you. I promise!" Jin, the cat, made this promise to Mugi, who is deeply sad about losing her beloved dog, Shiro.
Jin loves Mugi very much and, after hearing the story of the ""Rainbow Bridge"" from his owner Aki, he decides to take Mugi to meet Shiro at theRainbow Bridge! Can Jin heal Mugi's sadness? With the help of nearby pigeons and squirrels, Jin's great plan is now underway!"
"In Nazi-occupied Denmark, the teddy bear Mo is torn from the child he has just begun to love and is forced to flee to Sweden.
Told through Mo’s eyes, this gentle yet powerful story offers a child’s perspective on war, rescue, and the quiet heroism of ordinary people in extraordinary times."
As townsfolk rage in their fog of negativity, our hero and his dog aim to encourage a return to better days! The opposite effect leads to an unexpected calamity which galvanizes the masses.
A confession propels Todd into a surreal and unexpected journey.
A fun and heartwarming story about a hyper-focused and very dedicated penguin who refuses to skip leg day. As a matter of fact, all his days are leg days... as if his own future depended on it.
Exclusive CIFF guided walking tours throughout festival weekend
Festival week on Coronado Island is about more than what's on the screen. Our friends at So Diego Tours — a locally owned and operated San Diego tour company led by passionate local guides — are offering CIFF guests an exclusive discount on two unforgettable Coronado experiences. Whether you're drawn to ghost stories and Victorian intrigue or prefer a sun-soaked morning stroll through island history, there's a tour for every kind of explorer.
Haunted Walking Tour of Coronado
Friday, November 6 at 9:30 PM | Saturday, November 7 at 8:00 PM
After the credits roll, the real mystery begins. Join So Diego's expert guides for a spine-tingling after-dark walking tour through the haunted history of Coronado Island. From the legendary Hotel del Coronado — home to San Diego's most famous ghost, the tragic Kate Morgan, who checked in in 1892 and never checked out — to the gilded Victorian mansions and secret stories that line these storied streets, this tour weaves together history, folklore, and just enough mystery to keep you looking over your shoulder.
Your guide, a certified Coronado ambassador, will lead you through landmark locations including the former Spreckels mansion and the iconic Hotel del Coronado grounds, sharing the hidden and haunted history of the island like only a true local can.
→ Book the Haunted Walking Tour
Coronado Morning Walking Tour
Sunday, November 8 at 8:00 AM
Start your final festival morning the right way — with a golden-hour stroll through one of California's most beloved islands. So Diego's Coronado Walking Tour takes you through the island's rich cinematic and cultural history, past the iconic landmarks, hidden gems, and scenic spots that make Coronado a place unlike anywhere else in the world.
With a knowledgeable local guide leading the way, you'll come away with a deeper appreciation for the island you've been calling home all week — and maybe a few new favorite spots to add to your list. The perfect Sunday morning before heading into our closing day.
→ Book the Morning Walking Tour
About So Diego Tours
So Diego is a locally owned and operated tour company built by San Diegans who are obsessed with their city. Their guides are passionate locals who bring history, humor, and insider knowledge to every tour — the kind of experience you simply can't get from a guidebook. CIFF is proud to partner with them to help our guests discover the magic of Coronado on and off the screen.
Friday, November 6 & Saturday, November 7
9:00 PM – Midnight
When the credits roll, head upstairs. The Dive, the rooftop lounge atop The Bower Coronado, becomes Festival headquarters after dark, welcoming guests for two exclusive late-night gatherings on Friday and Saturday evening.
Open exclusively for Coronado Island Film Festival guests until midnight, The Dive is the perfect place to gather after an evening premiere, continue conversations sparked by the day's films, or unwind after exploring Coronado on one of our late-night ghost tours.
Enjoy a special Festival food and cocktail menu, available for purchase throughout the evening, while taking in the relaxed rooftop atmosphere overlooking the heart of Coronado. Whether you're celebrating with fellow filmmakers, reconnecting with friends, or making new ones, there's no better place to end the night.
No tickets or reservations required — just come as you are and keep the festival going.
Sunday, November 8, 2026
Marriott Coronado Island Resort & Marina
We're taking closing night to the Bay — an unforgettable evening under the stars with the sparkling skyline of downtown San Diego as your backdrop.
This year, we're doing something we've never done before. CIFF's beloved closing night reception moves to the stunning waterfront setting of the Marriott Coronado Island Resort & Marina — where the bay stretches out before you, the city skyline glitters across the water, and the open air makes every moment feel just a little more cinematic.
Reception on the Bay
6:00–7:30 PM
Join us as we raise a glass to an unforgettable five days of film, storytelling, and connection at the Closing Night Reception, hosted in a beautiful new setting at the Coronado Marriott Resort & Marina.
Gather for a gorgeous waterfront reception as the sun sets over San Diego Bay. Sip, mingle, and soak in the views—the kind of golden-hour moment that reminds us why we love gathering around great films and great company. With the downtown skyline shimmering across the water and the warm November air all around, it's the perfect prelude to one final night of cinema.
As the Festival draws to a close, celebrate with filmmakers, industry guests, sponsors, and fellow film lovers while reflecting on the moments, conversations, and discoveries that made this year's experience so memorable. Reconnect with new friends, share favorite films and festival highlights, and enjoy one last opportunity to experience the camaraderie and magic that define the Coronado Island Film Festival.
Following the reception, continue your Closing Night experience with one of two featured screenings. Guests may remain at the Marriott for a special Closing Night presentation or make their way to the Village Theater for an alternate Closing Night feature.
Whether you've attended one film or dozens, the Closing Night Reception is a chance to celebrate the stories that moved us, the artists who inspired us, and the community that comes together each year to honor the power of cinema.
Join us as we toast another remarkable Coronado Island Film Festival and look ahead to the stories still to come.
From the bay to the big screen — guests will move inside for our closing night film in the warm, intimate theater space at the Marriott. The film will be announced closer to the event, but one thing is certain: it will be a worthy finale to five days of extraordinary cinema.
HAROLD!
He was the Founding Father of Romantic Comedy.
He was the King of Boy-Chases-Girl Cinema Thrills.
He was the Clock-Climbing Superstar from San Diego.
He was Harold Lloyd — and he's coming to Coronado in November!
Come catch HAROLD! at CIFF.
Featuring his granddaughter, Suzanne Lloyd, Hollywood legend Leonard Maltin, and a fully-restored Harold Lloyd masterpiece.
Saturday, November 7, 2026 | 4:00-6:00PM
The Bower Hotel | Orange Avenue
Limited Passes | Open Benefactors | Reservations for badge holders will open soon.
Be a Part of the Action
From 4:00–6:00 PM on Saturday, November 7, guests will embark on a flavorful stroll down Orange Avenue, where each star on the sidewalk honors an individual with real ties to Coronado's rich film and cultural history.
Lights. Camera. Taste
Your evening begins at The Bower Coronado, where you'll check in, receive your exclusive StarPass, and kick off the experience with a welcome tequila tasting from Bebemos.
Your StarPass serves as your guide for the evening, featuring a map of every participating stop so you can explore the full tasting trail at your own pace.
From there, stroll down Orange Avenue as each stop offers a unique bite, sip, or special experience from one of Coronado's favorite local businesses. Between tastings, take in the stories behind the legendary names embedded in the Avenue of the Stars—celebrating the actors, filmmakers, writers, and visionaries who helped shape Coronado's remarkable connection to Hollywood.
As the sun begins to set, Scenes & Sips transforms into more than a tasting event—it's a celebration of film, community, local flavor, and the timeless charm that makes Coronado one of California's most iconic destinations.
Scenes & Sips is made possible by the generous support of our host sponsors.
Reserve Your StarPass
Your festival badge unlocks access but your reservation secures your place.
Because of the intimate nature of this progressive tasting experience, attendance is limited and available exclusively to Festival Badge Holders. Scenes & Sips has quickly become one of the festival's signature events and is expected to sell out.
Reserve your complimentary StarPass today and join us for an unforgettable evening celebrating Coronado's cinematic history, exceptional local cuisine, and vibrant community.
Wednesday, November 4, 2026
The Garden & The Crown Room at the Iconic Hotel Del Coronado
5:30 PM Hosted Champagne Reception and Red Carpet
7:00 PM Dinner & Awards Presentation
9:00 PM AfterParty & Dancing
The Coronado Island Film Festival’s most glamorous evening returns as we celebrate our 11th Anniversary with the Leonard Maltin Industry Tribute Awards Gala. This unforgettable evening honors the creative forces—both above and below the line—who have elevated the art and science of cinematic storytelling.
Festival Host and Honorary Jury President Leonard Maltin, one of the most respected film critics and historians, will preside over the night’s tributes, engaging honorees in thoughtful onstage conversations as they accept their awards.
The evening begins with a golden-hour sunset champagne reception on the Garden Terrace, sparkling conversation, and our signature red carpet and step & repeat. As the sun sets, the celebration moves inside to the historic Crown Room, a venue that has welcomed presidents, movie stars, and royalty since 1888, for an elegant dinner and awards presentation. Surrounded by soaring architecture and timeless charm, we will spotlight visionary individuals whose artistry, music, cinematography, cultural impact, and legacy have inspired audiences and defined generations of cinematic storytelling.
As the formal program concludes, the festivities continue with the Industry Tribute Wrap Party. The ballroom dance floor opens as the DJ turns up the music, offering the perfect finale to a night of glamour, celebration, and cinematic excellence.
This year, as CIFF marks a decade of storytelling magic, we look forward to celebrating new luminaries whose contributions continue to inspire and enchant audiences worldwide.
VARIETY MAGAZINE | 
Good Morning Badge Holders! Donuts and Coffee
Badge holders start the day off right with a dash of sugar and a kick of caffeine.
Served in the Hospitality Center Thursday-Sunday!
Good Morning Starshine! Donuts and Coffee
Badge holders start the day off right with a dash of sugar and a kick of caffeine.
Served in the Hospitality Center Thursday-Sunday!
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The Coronado Island Film Festival (CIFF) welcomes makers and lovers of film from all over the world to the storied seaside village of Coronado, California to celebrate the magical art of visual storytelling. Coronado’s enduring love affair with Hollywood began more than a century ago.
