YOUR CINEMATIC HOLIDAY BEGINS HERE
5 DAYS | FILMS | PREMIERES | PANELS | WORKSHOPS
THE CULINARY CINEMA SERIES | 2026 SHORTSFEST
THE LEONARD MALTIN INDUSTRY TRIBUTE AWARDS GALA
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)
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.
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, Hill of Witches, 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:
The Sideways Phenomenon
The Art of Sharing
A Vineyard Cinderella
Join us for a Q&A immediately following the screening.
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 Sleep's Silence, Faustino, Your Own Boss, A Mother's Love
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 Filmmaker Q&A will immediately follow the screenings.
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
A Filmmaker Q&A will immediately follow the screenings.
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
Join us for a Q&A immediately following the screening.
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 Q&A immediately 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 immediately 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.
Check back for reservation details.
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 drink and bite.
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 | 
Enjoy a flavorful walking tour down Orange Avenue celebrating Coronado’s cinematic legacy. Guests will receive a CinePass for tastings from local restaurants and shops, plus a free tour of the Coronado Historical Association’s special D-Day tribute. Stroll among the stars honoring Coronado’s film history and soak in an evening of community, cuisine, and cinematic charm.
CLOSING NIGHT FEATURE
After the Closing Night Reception at the Hotel del Coronado Ocean Ballroom head over to Village Theater to watch the Closing Night feature film.
Sisters Nora and Agnes reunite with their estranged father, the charismatic Gustav, a once-renowned director who offers stage actress Nora a role in what he hopes will be his comeback film. When Nora turns it down, she soon discovers he has given her part to an eager young Hollywood star. Suddenly, the two sisters must navigate their complicated relationship with their father — and deal with an American star dropped right into the middle of their complex family dynamics.
"It’s a movie that sneaks up on you like great fiction, blending theme and character in a way that allows it to live in your mind after you see it, rolling around what it means to both the people in it and your own life." -- Brian Tallerico [RogerEbert.com]
OPENING NIGHT! Badge Holders Only
RED CARPET 5:30 | DOORS OPEN AT 6:00
Champagne & Specialty Cocktails by:
Dead Man's Wire is a 2025 American historical crime film directed by Gus Van Sant, written by Austin Kolodney, based on the true story of kidnapping by Tony Kiritsis in the 1970s. It stars Bill Skarsgård, Dacre Montgomery, Colman Domingo, Myha'la, Cary Elwes, John Robinson, and Al Pacino.
The film had its world premiere out of competition in the 82nd Venice International Film Festival on September 2, 2025
"Scripted with fat-free economy by Austin Kolodney and made in the gritty, realistic style of Sidney Lumet’s ‘70s thrillers, the film pays tribute to Dog Day Afternoon while carving its own identity." - David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter
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!
Join leading voices from San Diego’s film industry for an insider roundtable on the region’s rapidly evolving production landscape. In a candid, conversational format, panelists will explore current opportunities, future growth, resources for filmmakers, and the advantages of collaborating with union talent and SAG-AFTRA productions. Whether you’re a local attendee, a visitor, filmmaker, actor, investor, or industry supporter, this discussion will offer valuable insight into building and sustaining film projects in San Diego.
Christine Altan - Moderator, Actor & Filmmaker, CIFF SAG-AFTRA Liaison
Larry Poole, San Diego SAG-AFTRA President
Michael Wood, San Diego Media Pros President
Jordan Jacobo, San Diego Writer/Director (Emmy-nominated)
Greg Sowizdrzal from IATSE
Jodi Cilley, Founder San Diego Film Consortium
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 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. He co-founded and manages AHA Productions with his wife and actress, Idylia Hachi.
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
Julien Levesque began his entertainment career in CAA’s mailroom before joining Roeg Sutherland’s desk in the agency’s Indie Film Group. While on Sutherland’s desk, Levesque helmed CAA’s 2019 Task Force, which spearheaded significant fundraising and community activities for CAA’s Foundation. In 2001, he was selected for CAA’s first COVID-era Agent Trainee Class. While at CAA, Levesque worked on films like HELL OF A SUMMER, HOW TO BLOW UP A PIPELINE, THELMA, and FATE OF A SPORT. In 2023, Julien left CAA to produce the film PSYCHOTHERAPY, which stars Steve Buscemi, John Magaro, and Britt Lower, and premiered at the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival. In Fall 2023, Levesque joined Gersh, where he co-leads the agency’s Indie Film Group. During this tenure, he has worked on films such as Harris Dickinson’s directorial debut URCHIN, Gore Verbinski’s Sam Rockwell-led GOOD LUCK, HAVE FUN, DON’T DIE, and Philipa Lowthorpe’s H IS FOR HAWK. He was also instrumental in setting Tom McCarthy’s overhead deal at Closer Media. Internally, Levesque heads Gersh’s Festival Group, which works to strengthen the agency’s strategy and presence at major festivals. Outside of financing, packaging, and sales, Julien represents clients such as Fangoria and Washington Film Works. Known for combining creative vision with strategic deal-making, Julien is building a reputation as a community-driven executive shaping the future of indie film.
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!
Back by popular demand, this panel brings together some of the most talented and diverse writers in the industry. Learn from their experience as they share how to craft and deliver a winning pitch, offering insights, strategies, and behind-the-scenes stories from the writers’ room to the big screen.
Moderated by Lisa Bruce
n 2018 Bruce is once again nominated for both an Academy Award for Best Picture and again for 2 BAFTA's for Best Picture and for Best British Picture for her newest feature, "Darkest Hour". In 2015 Bruce won the Best British Film BAFTA and was nominated for both a Golden Globe and an Academy Award® for "The Theory of Everything". Critically acclaimed, it was nominated for 100 international awards and won 29 including three BAFTAs, two Golden Globes, and an Academy Award®.
Prior to that, Bruce produced 15 feature films including the Working Title and HBO telefilm "Mary and Martha", directed by Phillip Noyce, written by Richard Curtis and starring Hilary Swank and Brenda Blethyn. Previously for HBO, she had produced "Walkout", starring Alexa Vega and Michael Pena, about Mexican American activism for which director Edward James Olmos received a Directors Guild of America Award nomination.
Ms. Bruce was an executive producer on Ivan Reitman's hit "No Strings Attached", starring Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher; on Dito Montiel's "Fighting" with Channing Tatum and Terrence Howard; and on Dante Ariola's "Arthur Newman", starring Colin Firth and Emily Blunt. She was co-producer of Nigel Cole's "A Lot Like Love", which paired Mr. Kutcher with Amanda Peet; of Christian Alvart's "Case 39" starring Renée Zellweger; and of Michael Hoffman's "The Emperor's Club", starring Kevin Kline, Emile Hirsch, Patrick Dempsey, Jesse Eisenberg, and Paul Dano.
Bruce was the co-producer of Gavin O'Connor's breakthrough feature, "Tumbleweeds". The film's young star Kimberly J. Brown won the Independent Spirit Award for Best Debut Performance and lead Janet McTeer was nominated for the Academy Award® for Best Actress and won the Golden Globe. Tumbleweeds was cited by the National Board of Review as one of the year's 10 Best Movies.
Bruce was a founding partner of Orenda Films, a New York-based company for which she developed and produced internationally-released feature films including Sam Henry Kass' "The Search for One-Eye Jimmy" and Buddy Giovinazzo's "No Way Home" starring Tim Roth.
Panelist include CIFF Screenwriter Competition Jury
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 Longtime collaborator of writer/director Nancy Meyers, Suzanne Farwell has produced some of the most commercially successful comedies in recent history and has worked with many of the industry’s most recognized and sought-after talent.
With 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, Farwell co-produced the 2003 critically-acclaimed box office success Something’s Gotta Give (starring Academy Award winners Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton) and was Executive Producer on the 2006 worldwide box-office hit The Holiday (starring Academy Award winner Kate Winslet, Academy Award nominee Jude Law and Golden Globe nominees Cameron Diaz and Jack Black) for the studio. In 2009, Farwell went on to executive produce It’s Complicated (starring Academy Award winners Meryl Streep and Steve Martin and Emmy Award winner Alec Baldwin). In 2015, Farwell produced The Intern (starring Academy Award winners Robert DeNiro and Anne Hathaway) for Warner Bros. Pictures.
Farwell produced the 2017 independent feature film Carrie Pilby, starring Bel Powley, Nathan Lane, Gabriel Byrne, Jason Ritter and Vanessa Bayer. Carrie Pilby 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. In 2020, Farwell was Executive Producer on the hit Netflix original film Feel theBeat starring Sofia Carson and on the Disney Channel Original Movie Upside Down Magic, both under the Resonate banner.
She recently produced the final installment of Disney hit musical franchise Zombies 3 which was released on Disney+ in July 2022 as the number one hit movie on the platform
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.
Joey Siara - Joey Siara grew up in Whittier, California. He spent his twenties performing in a noisy indie-rock band and has seen nearly every state in the country through the cracked window of a Ford Econoline. The band played over five-hundred shows including sets at Lollapalooza and Coachella. His music has been featured in several TV series – from Sons of Anarchy to Parenthood to Gossip Girl. He has a Master’s from Harvard, an MFA from UCLA, and has worked on series for PBS, Discovery, and CNN. Most recently, he was staffed on Emergence for ABC and co-wrote a comedy feature with his brother, Andy, for Limelight. He is a writing instructor in the School of Theater, Film, and Television at UCLA. His short-story, The Last of the Goggled Barskys, was just featured on Slate.
From soundscapes to visual effects, editing rhythms to wardrobe and design, discover how today’s creators harness technology and artistry to push the boundaries of storytelling and elevate the magic of cinema.
Behind every jaw-dropping chase, fight, and fall is a fearless stunt team making the impossible look effortless. Seasoned stunt performers and coordinators reveal the craft behind designing action, balancing practical special effects, and the training it takes to bring high-risk, high-reward moments to the screen.
Moderated by Deadline
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 boardroom. A powerful discussion on leadership, representation, and the impact of female voices in shaping storytelling.
Presented by DEADLINE
Moderated by Deadline
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 Malloy, editor of MovieMaker Magazine and MovieMaker.com, writing about the art and craft of moviemaking, as well as film schools, festivals and more.
James Oliver:
James Aaron Oliver is an actor, writer, producer with an extensive early career in Equity Theatre, TV and film as an Actor and later as a Screenwriter, Producer, and Executive Producer on several films under his company BLKBRD Films. He was an acting company member at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival for several seasons and as a recurring co-star for three seasons on NBC’s Frasier as well as several independent and studio films. He is an Executive Producer on the British film INLAND Starring Mark Rylance and a Co-Producer alongside Wim Wenders on the Polish independent film Roving Woman. He recently sold his first screenplay to a major production company to be filmed later this year with an unannounced A-list actor and high profile auteur Director. He is currently setting up his next film, a thriller set in Italy for 2026. His company BLKBRD specializes in film finance, investor relationships, film development and hands-on production services. James is also a native to Coronado with close family recently returning to live on the island.
Bettina Sherick is an entertainment digital marketing veteran and President/Founder of Hollywood In Pixels, a nonprofit dedicated to celebrating and preserving theatrical digital marketing innovation. She began her career at 20th Century Fox, rising to SVP of Strategic Digital Marketing at Fox International, where she led global teams on groundbreaking campaigns, including award-winning campaigns for AVATAR, THE SIMPSONS MOVIE, the X-MEN franchise, and LIFE OF PI. She then held leadership roles in digital, data, and innovation at Warner Bros. and at 20th Century Fox before most recently serving as Head of Digital Intelligence at Prime Video, overseeing audience insights for the first season of THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RINGS OF POWER and launching their global social intelligence program. An active AMPAS member, she has served eight terms on the Marketing & PR Branch Executive Committee, and chaired the Student Academy Awards Executive Committee for five terms. Sherick also sits on Loyola Marymount University’s advisory council for its Masters in Entertainment Leadership. She is the recipient of the CLIO Entertainment Impact Award and the Coronado Island Film Festival Trailblazer Award (2024), was twice named to Variety’s Digital Impact Report (2019, 2022), and received the Advanced Imaging Society’s Distinguished Leadership Award (2018).
Brian Walker Brian is a versatile change agent with over a decade of experience working at the intersection of culture, digital media, social enterprise, and social justice. For over eight years, Brian was the Chief Operating Officer of The Creative Mind Group, he has also formerly directed social impact campaigns and digital strategy at Participant Media and served as the first Culture and Entertainment Advocacy Director at Color of Change. Most recently, Brian served as a Stakeholder Engagement Leader with the Enterprise Diversity & Inclusion group at The Walt Disney Company. Brian also currently serves on the board of Made In Her Image, an organization dedicated to the advancement of young women, girls, and non-binary youth of color within film, media, and technology.
Aaron Roberts is an industry lifer, starting work as a PA on his father’s award-winning commercial sets as early as 10 years old. Since then, Aaron has helped build multi-million dollar creative agencies routinely working with publicly traded tech and hospitality brands, and is working with the city of Chula Vista on developing a next-generation film studio and creative campus to re-ignite the film industry in San Diego again.
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!
Celebrate all of our 2024 independent film, filmmakers and screenwriters!
The CIFF esteemed Jury members will announce the winners of this year’s categories.
All filmmakers and screenwriters are invited and encouraged to attend.
Badge-holder only event.
Reservations required / limited space / first come basis
Open to all badge holders!
Stop by and enjoy happy hour with fellow attendees, filmmakers and industry guests before heading off to watch your evening film!
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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.
