The American Film Institute (AFI) has officially revealed the complete, highly anticipated lineup for the milestone 40th edition of AFI FEST 2026, presented by Canva. Scheduled to run from October 21 through October 25, the five-day cinematic celebration will once again anchor itself in the heart of Hollywood at the historic TCL Chinese Theatres. This year’s expansive slate promises an international showcase of bold storytelling, bringing together heavy-hitting auteurs, celebrated award-winners from the global festival circuit, and promising new voices from across the cinematic landscape. Passes for the landmark festival are currently available to the public at FEST.AFI.com, with individual ticket sales slated to open on October 3.
A Massive Global Showcase: By the Numbers
Marking its ruby anniversary, AFI FEST 2026 boasts an impressive programming footprint representing 50 countries. The meticulously curated selection features a total of 157 films, comprising over 80 feature-length films and nearly 70 shorts. The feature lineup is meticulously divided across various thematic and programmatic tracks: 5 Red Carpet Premieres, 12 Special Screenings, 13 Luminaries selections, 18 Discovery titles, 16 World Cinema selections, 17 documentaries, 3 After Dark entries, and 4 Guest Artistic Director presentations. Additionally, the festival continues its commitment to nurturing emerging talent through 45 films in the Short Film Competition and 24 selections from the AFI Conservatory Showcase, which is presented by AMC Global Media.
Diversity remains a core pillar of the institute’s programming philosophy. Of the official selections featured in this year’s festival, 45 percent are directed by women, while 32 percent are directed by BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) filmmakers. This deliberate representation underscores AFI’s ongoing mission to champion a diverse cross-section of global perspectives and modern cinematic artistry.
International Festival Favorites and Academy Award Contenders
The 2026 slate is heavily fortified by some of the most celebrated titles to emerge from the international film festival circuit over the past year. Attendees will have the opportunity to view major prize-winners from Cannes, Venice, the Berlinale, and Sundance.
Among the standout European and Asian imports are Lee Chang-dong’s Venice Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize winner POSSIBLE LOVE (representing South Korea); Ryûsuke Hamaguchi’s Cannes prize-winning ALL OF A SUDDEN, starring Virginie Efira and Tao Okamoto (representing Japan); and İlker Çatak’s Berlinale Golden Bear winner YELLOW LETTERS.
The program also features Werner Herzog’s highly anticipated BUCKING FASTARD, starring the dynamic sibling duo Kate Mara and Rooney Mara; Andrew Haigh’s A LONG WINTER, featuring an ensemble cast including Fred Hechinger, Kit Connor, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Caitríona Balfe; Małgorzata Szumowska and Michał Englert’s THE IDIOT(S), starring Johnny Flynn and Aimee Lou Wood; and Mike Leigh’s San Sebastián Golden Shell winner TENDER LOVING CARE.
Furthermore, the festival will host high-profile North American Premieres, including Asghar Farhadi’s PARALLEL TALES—starring an all-star European cast of Isabelle Huppert, Vincent Cassel, and Virginie Efira—and Céline Sciamma’s TUTTI FRUTTI, which originally bowed earlier this year at the Centre Pompidou in Paris.
Other notable award-winning titles heading to Hollywood include Markus Schleinzer’s ROSE, featuring Sandra Hüller in a performance that earned her the Berlinale Silver Bear for Best Leading Performance; Sandra Wollner’s EVERYTIME, which captured the top prize in Cannes’ Un Certain Regard section; Marine Atlan’s Cannes Critics’ Week Grand Prize winner LA GRADIVA; Louis Clichy’s UN Certain Regard Special Jury Prize winner IRON BOY; Stephanie Ahn’s Sundance U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award winner for Debut Feature, BEDFORD PARK; and Lance Hammer’s QUEEN AT SEA, which features Juliette Binoche alongside Tom Courtenay and Anna Calder-Marshall (the latter two sharing the Berlinale Silver Bear for Best Supporting Performance).
Crucially, AFI FEST 2026 serves as a vital pitstop on the awards campaign trail, featuring 10 official international feature submissions for the 99th Academy Awards. Alongside previously mentioned titles like POSSIBLE LOVE and ALL OF A SUDDEN, the Oscar hopefuls screening in Hollywood include 9 TEMPLES TO HEAVEN (Thailand), CITIZEN OSAMA (Palestine), ELEPHANTS IN THE FOG (Nepal), EVERYTIME (Germany), THE MELTDOWN (Chile), NINA ROZA (Canada), ROSE (Austria), and WE ARE ALL STRANGERS (Singapore).
Master Auteurs and Acclaimed Documentaries
In addition to the aforementioned award circuits, the 2026 lineup offers cinephiles rare opportunities to experience new works from world-renowned auteurs. The roster includes fresh cinematic visions from Ali Asgari (A BIT OF LIGHT), Clio Barnard (I SEE BUILDINGS FALL LIKE LIGHTNING), Anna Biller (THE FACE OF HORROR), Anthony Chen (WE ARE ALL STRangers), Quentin Dupieux (FULL PHIL), Fernando Eimbcke (FLIES), Radu Jude (DIARY OF A CHAMBERMAID), Barbara Kopple (UNION TOWN), Marie Kreutzer (GENTLE MONSTER), Rodrigo Sorogoyen (THE BELOVED), and prolific South Korean master Hong Sang-soo, who brings two new features to the festival: THE DAY SHE RETURNS and NOWHERE TO LAY MY EYES.
The documentary slate is equally robust, highlighting urgent social issues, historical retrospectives, and artistic profiles. Key documentary selections feature Pegah Ahangarani’s Cannes L’Œil d’Or Prize winner REHEARSALS FOR A REVOLUTION; Joss Crowley’s Toronto-premiered PRETENDERS; Ahmed Hassouna’s Venice-debuted CITIZEN OSAMA; Rachel Mason’s MY BROTHER’S KILLER; Ayden Mayeri’s SXSW Grand Jury award-winner SUMMER 2000: THE X-CETRA STORY; and Sundance award-winners ONE IN A MILLION (directed by Jack MacInnes and Itab Azzam), NUISANCE BEAR (Jack Weisman and Gabriela Osio Vanden), and SOUL PATROL (J.M. Harper).
Bookend Screenings and Red Carpet Premieres
As previously announced, the five-day festival will commence on October 21 with the high-profile U.S. premiere of WILDWOOD. The celebratory week will officially draw to a close on October 25 with the screening of BEING HEUMANN.
Additional marquee events include the World Premieres of THE MOSQUITO BOWL, I PLAY ROCKY, and RAY GUNN. Special screenings slated for the festival encompass a diverse array of compelling cinematic works, including 14th, ASHES, BEHEMOTH!, BITTER CHRISTMAS, BUNKER, CLARISSA, ELSINORE, JOSEPHINE, THE MAN I LOVE, MOUSE, TANGLES, and WILD HORSE NINE.
Guest Artistic Directors: Phil Lord and Chris Miller
Adding a unique curatorial flavor to the 40th anniversary, Academy Award-winning filmmakers Phil Lord and Chris Miller serve as this year’s Guest Artistic Directors. Their curated program, "An Evening with Lord and Miller," will feature an in-depth, career-spanning Q&A session with the creative duo.
Following the conversation, the program will present a carefully selected retrospective of masterworks that have deeply influenced their artistic trajectories, including Stanley Kubrick’s sci-fi benchmark 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY (1968), Hal Ashby’s existential dark comedy HAROLD AND MAUDE (1971), Jim Henson’s THE MUPPET MOVIE (1979), and Jules Dassin’s quintessential caper film RIFIFI (1955).
Leadership Perspectives on a Milestone Year
The leadership of the American Film Institute emphasized the cultural significance of reaching the festival’s four-decade milestone, framing the event as both a celebration of cinematic history and an embrace of contemporary global storytelling.
“Our 40th edition of AFI FEST celebrates the cinematic artistry of bold, inspiring filmmakers from around the world,” stated Todd Hitchcock, Director of AFI FEST and the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center. “With more than 80 features and nearly 70 shorts, AFI FEST 2026 will once again light up the screen of the iconic TCL Chinese Theatre with a wide-ranging slate of films that includes highly anticipated awards favorites and a few surprises as well.”
Abbie Algar, Director of Programming for AFI FEST and the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center, echoed these sentiments regarding the community-oriented and experiential nature of the festival.
“We’re thrilled to share some of the year’s most compelling films with the film lovers of Los Angeles at the 40th edition of AFI FEST — from red carpet premieres and major works by established auteurs to exciting debuts from emerging talents, this year’s lineup invites audiences to spend five days experiencing worlds beyond their own and making the connections that great art can spark,” Algar noted.
Ticketing, Passes, and Festival Sponsorships
AFI FEST 2026 is made possible through the backing of prominent corporate sponsors. Canva serves as the exclusive Presenting Sponsor of the festival, providing foundational support for the milestone event. Additional institutional support is provided by FIJI Water as the Official Water Sponsor and American Airlines as the Official Airline of the festival.
Festival passholders can select from multiple tiers tailored to different levels of access. The Star Pass grants entry to all standard screenings (excluding Red Carpet Premieres), early screening selection, theater access, entry to the exclusive AFI FEST Festival Lounge, official festival merchandise, and free rush access. The higher-tier Patron Pass includes all the privileges of the Star Pass, alongside guaranteed access to Red Carpet Premieres, priority screening selection, and premier theater seating.
Passes are currently available for acquisition online at FEST.AFI.com. Film enthusiasts looking to attend individual screenings will be able to purchase single tickets starting October 3. As Hollywood prepares to welcome international creators, industry professionals, and local cinephiles for five days of immersive programming, AFI FEST 2026 solidifies its status as a premier autumn destination for world cinema.
