Phoenix Film Festival 2026

The Phoenix Film Festival returns for its 26th annual event Thursday, April 9 – Sunday, April 19 at Harkins Scottsdale 101, bringing filmmakers and movie lovers together for another year of standout storytelling, special events, and community celebration.
 
Originally founded in 2001 by local filmmakers, the Phoenix Film Festival has grown into an 11-day celebration featuring 250+ films, plus filmmaking seminars, parties, and student workshops for more than 15,000 attendees.
 
Festival favorites will return, including the Party Pavilion, Industry Night, Film Prom, and Kids Day, along with new competition categories for 2026: Music Videos and Deaf Directed Shorts.
 
The Phoenix Film Festival is a program under the 501(c)3 non-profit organization Phoenix Film Foundation. It is a sibling of the Phoenix Film Society, International Horror and Sci-Fi Film Festival, Peoria Film Fest, IFP/Phoenix, Arizona Student Film Festival and Phoenix Critics Circle. The Phoenix Film Foundation is dedicated to promoting diversity and education in the arts, elevating underrepresented voices, and driving the growth of independent film in Arizona. Through film showcases and accessible educational initiatives, we cultivate a vibrant, inclusive cinematic community, utilizing it as a catalyst for personal growth, creative expression, and positive social change.