Friday, November 6
Balsamico Italian Kitchen
An Italian-inspired buffet featuring a fresh salad bar with grilled chicken, rigatoni with Bolognese sauce, mushroom ravioli, and individual cannoli.
Thursday–Sunday · 9–10 AM
Morning Coffee & Breakfast
Start your Festival day with coffee from Better Buzz Coffee and delicious breakfast treats from Clayton’s Bakery. Grab a little morning fuel, catch up with fellow film lovers, and plan your day of screenings and events.
VIP Lounge Sponsor
VIP Hospitality & Lounge
Our VIP Hospitality Lounge is the perfect place to relax, recharge, and connect with filmmakers, industry professionals, Festival supporters, and fellow film lovers throughout Festival weekend.
VIP Hospitality access, including Friday–Sunday lunches, is available to guests with:
- VIP
- Benefactor
- Member
- Filmmaker
- Screenwriter
- Sponsor
- Marquee
Emerald badge holders are welcome at the general Hospitality Center, morning coffee, and Friday’s Cinema Social happy hour. VIP Lounge access and VIP lunches are not included with Emerald badges.
Friday–Sunday · Noon–1 PM · Spreckels Center patio
VIP Lunches
Three days of delicious food and Festival conversation.
Saturday, November 7
Bread & Cheese
The ultimate comfort-food lunch! Enjoy freshly prepared, hot, melty grilled cheese sandwiches, perfect for refueling between screenings.
Sunday, November 8
The Med Spread
Back by popular demand! One of our 2025 Festival favorites returns with a delicious Mediterranean-inspired lunch featuring fresh, vibrant flavors.
VIP lunches are reserved for guests holding VIP, Benefactor, Member, Filmmaker, Screenwriter, Sponsor, or Marquee badges. VIP lunches are not included with Emerald badges.
Friday, November 6 · 5–6:30 PM · Spreckels Bowling Green
Friday Festival Happy Hour · Cinema Social
Join us for a lively Festival happy hour! Mingle with filmmakers, industry guests, sponsors, and fellow film lovers while celebrating another wonderful day of cinema.
All badge holders are welcome!
Thursday, November 5–Sunday, November 8 · Noon–1 PM pickup
Box Lunches from High Tide Bottle Shop & Kitchen
No time to slow down during CIFF? High Tide Bottle Shop & Kitchen has you covered with delicious, convenient box lunches to keep you fueled between screenings. Whether you’re an Emerald badge holder or simply can’t make one of our VIP lunches, you can order a tasty lunch delivered right to our Festival Hospitality Center.
OrderOnline or by phone directly through High Tide Bottle Shop & Kitchen.
Festival discountUse promo code CIFF2026 when ordering.
DeliveryJohn D. Spreckels Center, 1019 Seventh Street, Coronado.
PickupNoon–1 PM at the Festival Box Office in the Activities Room.
We recommend ordering early to avoid delays and make the most of your Festival day!
Box lunches are available for separate purchase and are not included with Festival badges.
Our Hospitality Partners
A special thank-you to the wonderful local businesses helping make our Hospitality Center such a welcoming place throughout Festival weekend.
We’re also proud to recognize Purvellay, whose partnership helps support the cleanliness, comfort, and care of our Festival hospitality spaces. Learn more about Purvellay.
