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.

Explore Coronado with So Diego Tours

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.

After the Credits at The Dive

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.

 

 

 

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.

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

 

LEONARD MALTIN INDUSTRY TRIBUTE AWARDS GALA

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.

Special Thank you to our Platinum Benefactors + Sponsors and Gala Underwriters

                       

________________________________________________

Gala Dinner Wine Sponsor

Awards Media Partners

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.

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