Invite-only - reservations are required. Open only to filmmakers, industry, and screenwriting badge holders.

A powerful collection of films that highlight stories of bravery, courage, and resilience in the face of adversity, showcasing the strength of the human spirit. The films included in this showcase are: Return Engagement, Filming Under Fire, Bring Them Home. Q&A with filmmakers will immediately follow the screenings.

Bau, Artist at War is based on the true story of Joseph and Rebecca Bau, whose wedding took place in the Plaszow concentration camp during WWII, an event immortalized in Steven Spielberg's Schindler's List. This film is a war drama, love story, and espionage tale that needs to be told in this era where survivors […]

WATER BROTHER is a poignant reflection on a life well-lived and a tribute to the enduring spirit of surf culture. The film celebrates the people and places that make surfing & skating more than just hobbies and shows how one man's dedication can inspire a community.

The films included in this showcase are: And You Are...?, Deep In My Heart Is A Song, Smile God Loves You, Thursday in March, Tidy House, Sleep Training. Q&A with filmmakers will immediately follow the screenings.

Across continents, one man's quest against the water crisis: five challenges, five countries, one cause.

Berta, a mature woman from the upper class, has been hiring the services of Alberto, a professional escort, for some time. One day, Alberto can't make it, so he sends another escort, Hugo, a much younger and inexperienced guy from his neighborhood. Berta distrusts Hugo and insists him to leave, but Hugo wants to finish […]

Documentary on Operation Paperclip and early V-2 Rocket Development at White Sands, NM

A young man brings his girlfriend to his rural Oregon hometown for Christmas to introduce her to his family, only for things to go terribly wrong upon arrival.

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: Brownies, Spag Bol, The Mood Swing, Belief, A Fateful Weekend, Dion & Denver, Delivery. Q&A with filmmakers will immediately follow the screenings.

A middle-aged woman decides to overthrow the powerful oligarch who controls her country. Armed with only her wit and a stolen government stamp, she must outsmart the oligarch’s henchmen, evade the secret police, and trick her countrymen into sparking a revolution. Facing off against armed riot police, water cannons, and deep fakes, she must stop […]

From Executive Producers Matthew Modine and Adam Rackoff, ''I Hope This Helps!'' is a humorous, genre-bending hybrid documentary that invites viewers to ponder the evolving relationship between humanity and technology. In the film, investigative journalist Daniel Freed enlists the help of Google''s AI chatbot, Bard, to collaborate on a documentary...about AI. Appearing in the blue, […]

The world seems to be coming to an end, teeming with the vestiges of a human presence. Cat is a solitary animal, but as its home is devastated by a great flood, he finds refuge on a boat populated by various species, and will have to team up with them despite their differences. In the […]

Good Morning! Donuts and coffee all badge holders start the day off right!

CONVERSATION ON CONSERVATION - Join in discussion with experts, scientist and advocates for this screening and conversation. RETURN OF THE MANATEES: Florida’s Crystal River has long been a safe haven for the Florida manatee, but when an invasive algae wiped out the eel grass that manatees need for food, the community rallied to restore the […]

After 53 consecutive years of touring and over 5,000 performances, the iconic duo of 'America' privately says goodbye to a lifetime on the road. The film dives into their extraordinary journey and the profound decision that marks the end of a musical era.

A compelling collection of films that explore resilience, determination, and the challenges faced in pushing boundaries across different landscapes and stories. The films included in this showcase are: The Final Copy of Ilon Specht, Then Comes The Body, Winding Path, Motorcycle Mary, Destined To Play: The Untold Story of Saudi Women's Football. Q&A with filmmakers will immediately follow the screenings.

Culinary Cultural Collaboration: The story of Chef David Yárnoz (5 Michelin stars), who returns to Taiwan after 3 pandemic years to face the problems of bringing Spanish cuisine to the other side of the world. Meanwhile, in Taipei, local chef, Kai Ho (3 Michelin stars) tirelessly searches for influences to combine the produce of his […]

From Executive Producers Matthew Modine and Adam Rackoff, ''I Hope This Helps!'' is a humorous, genre-bending hybrid documentary that invites viewers to ponder the evolving relationship between humanity and technology. In the film, investigative journalist Daniel Freed enlists the help of Google''s AI chatbot, Bard, to collaborate on a documentary...about AI. Appearing in the blue, […]

Alan returns to his small Floridian hometown to find his sister Quinn all grown up. But when he discovers that their overbearing mother is sheltering Quinn because of her autism, he hatches a plan for them to run away together so that Quinn can pursue her dream of becoming a professional dancer.

Screening followed by a conversation about how comedy is a tool for discussion and social change. Screening Synopsis: While preparing for a live performance where she will iron her belly stretch marks flat, an artist struggles to balance the expectations of motherhood while fulfilling her wild creative side. Filmmaker + Producer and SDSU Professor Jessica […]

Dive into the creative fusion of music, film, and pop culture with the first-ever short film collaboration between the Coronado Island Film Festival (CIFF) and WONDERFRONT. This special engagement explores the powerful synergy between festivals and the arts, showcasing how music influences film and resonates across pop culture. Join key creatives as they discuss the […]

The films included in this showcase are: Burn Out, Head In The Clouds, Feet On the Ground, BestFriendAI, The Lights Above, Home Sweet Home, The Ballad of Tita and the Machines. Q&A with filmmakers will immediately follow the screenings.

Queen of the Ring is inspired by Jeff Leen''s book, chronicling the true story of Mildred Burke, the first million-dollar female athlete in history. The film follows Millie, a young single mother who defies societal norms by becoming a professional wrestler during a time when female wrestling was illegal in most of the U.S. Starting […]

Northern Lights, winner of the Camera d’Or for Best First Feature at the 1979 Cannes International Film Festival and many other prizes around the world, is a classic American independent film. Originally released in 1978, this is the new 4K restoration produced in 2024. Against a backdrop of a bitter winter on the Dakota prairie […]

More than a culinary icon, Marcella was a pillar of resilience whose life story is presented in this captivating film. Overcoming early life challenges, including the loss of full function in her right hand, Marcella went on to earn a dual doctorate in the sciences before immigrating to New York. There she reinvented herself, becoming […]

When a Greek diner owner is diagnosed with dementia, he imagines himself as a late-night talk show host, putting his wife’s love to the ultimate test. Synopsis: Yianni and Plousia (Joe Cortese and Julia Ormond) own a charming family diner by the beach, where Yianni is a convivial host. Lately, Plousia has noticed that her […]

The world seems to be coming to an end, teeming with the vestiges of a human presence. Cat is a solitary animal, but as its home is devastated by a great flood, he finds refuge on a boat populated by various species, and will have to team up with them despite their differences. In the […]

PRESCREENING RECEPTION 6:00-7:00 PM: Enjoy the Vista Terrace as the sun sets on the final night of the film festival, then head off to your Closing Night feature. FILM BEGINS: 7:00PM Vista Terrace Hotel del Coronado FILM: 1939 Classic Wizard of Oz Celebrate the 85th Anniversary of this classic film, just in time to relive […]

Closing Night Feature  CIFF is honored to present a special screening of The Seed of the Sacred Fig, a searing drama by acclaimed Iranian filmmaker Mohammad Rasoulof. Known for his fearless criticism of authoritarian regimes, Rasoulof has long been a target of Iran’s hardline conservative government. Facing persecution for his work, Rasoulof was forced to […]