AFI Fest 2026 Announces Full Lineup, Featuring International Award Winners and Star-Studded Premieres
The American Film Institute has unveiled the complete roster of films slated for its 40th annual festival, presented by Canva. This year's AFI Fest is set to captivate audiences from October 21 to 25 at Hollywood's iconic TCL Chinese Theatre, showcasing an impressive total of 157 cinematic works. The diverse program includes five highly anticipated red carpet premieres, a dozen special screenings, 13 luminaries titles, 18 discovery selections, 16 international films, 17 documentaries, three after-dark features, and four presentations curated by guest artistic directors. Additionally, the festival will feature 45 short films and 24 productions from the AFI Conservatory showcase, supported by AMC Global Media. This expansive lineup promises a rich and varied cinematic journey for all film enthusiasts.
Highlighting the festival's esteemed selections are numerous films that have garnered significant recognition at prominent international events. These include Lee Chang-dong's 'Possible Love', a recipient of the Silver Lion grand jury prize at the Venice Film Festival, and Ryûsuke Hamaguchi's 'All of a Sudden', a Cannes Film Festival award-winner featuring Virginie Efira and Tao Okamoto. Werner Herzog's 'Bucking Fastard', a Venice selection starring Kate Mara and Rooney Mara, also joins the lineup. Other notable entries include Andrew Haigh's 'A Long Winter', with Fred Hechinger and Kit Connor, and Malgorzata Szumowska and Michal Englert's 'The Idiot(s)', starring Johnny Flynn. Mike Leigh's San Sebastián Golden Shell winner 'Tender Loving Care' is also featured, alongside the North American premieres of Asghar Farhadi's 'Parallel Tales', with Isabelle Huppert and Vincent Cassel, and Céline Sciamma's 'Tutti Fruitti'.
Curated Selections and International Acclaim
The festival's program is a vibrant tapestry of global cinema, featuring films that have captivated critics and audiences worldwide. Among the distinguished selections are Ilker Çatak's 'Yellow Letters', a Berlinale Golden Bear laureate, and Markus Schleinzer's 'Rose', which earned Sandra Hüller the Berlinale Silver Bear for best lead performance. Sandra Wollner's 'Everytime', an Un Certain Regard prize winner, and Marine Atlan's 'La Gradiva', the grand prize recipient at Cannes' Critics' Week, further enrich the lineup. Louis Clichy's 'Iron Boy', honored with Cannes' Un Certain Regard special jury prize, and Stephanie Ahn's 'Bedford Park', recognized at Sundance for debut feature, highlight emerging talent. Additionally, Lance Hammer's 'Queen at Sea', starring Juliette Binoche, Tom Courtenay, and Anna Calder-Marshall, who shared the Berlinale Silver Bear for best supporting performance, underscores the festival's commitment to showcasing exceptional acting and storytelling.
This year's AFI Fest also boasts an impressive array of previously announced films, promising a diverse cinematic experience for attendees. The roster includes Peter Farrelly's 'I Play Rocky' with Anthony Ippolito, and Netflix's animated feature 'Ray Gunn' by Brad Bird, featuring the voices of Scarlett Johansson and Sam Rockwell. Martin McDonagh's 'Wild Horse Nine', starring Rockwell and John Malkovich, and Ava DuVernay's documentary '14th' are also on the schedule. Diego Luna's 'Ashes', Tony Gilroy's 'Behemoth!' featuring Pedro Pascal as a gifted cellist, and Pedro Almodóvar's 'Bitter Christmas' are set to draw considerable attention. Florian Zeller's 'Bunker', with Javier Bardem and Penélope Cruz, and Arie and Chuko Esiri's 'Clarissa', starring David Oyelowo and Sophie Okonedo, further diversify the offerings. Simon Stone's 'Elsinore', with Andrew Scott, Beth de Araújo's 'Josephine', featuring Channing Tatum, and Ira Sachs' 'The Man I Love', with Rami Malek, promise compelling narratives. Finally, Kelly O’Sullivan and Alex Thompson’s 'Mouse', and Leah Nelson’s animated 'Tangles', with an all-star voice cast including Seth Rogen and Julia Louis-Dreyfus, complete this stellar collection, ensuring there is something for every cinematic taste.
Festival Highlights and Special Presentations
The 40th edition of AFI Fest promises a captivating cinematic journey, commencing with the U.S. premiere of Travis Knight’s animated feature, 'Wildwood'. The festival's program also includes screenings of Sian Heder’s 'Being Heumann' and Netflix’s 'The Mosquito Bowl', directed by Peter Berg and featuring Nicholas Galitzine and Bill Skarsgard. Esteemed filmmakers Phil Lord and Chris Miller, known for 'Project Hail Mary', will serve as guest artistic directors. They are scheduled to host a Q&A session, followed by a screening of the classic '2001: A Space Odyssey'. Their curated selections for the festival also include 'Harold and Maude', 'The Muppet Movie', and 'Rififi', offering a unique insight into their cinematic influences and appreciation.
Todd Hitchcock, director of AFI Fest, emphasized the festival's mission to celebrate the artistic vision of filmmakers globally. He highlighted the extensive program, encompassing over 80 features and nearly 70 shorts, which will illuminate the screens of the iconic TCL Chinese Theatre. Hitchcock noted that the diverse slate includes highly anticipated award contenders and a few unexpected surprises. Abbie Algar, director of programming for AFI Fest, expressed excitement about sharing the year's most compelling films with Los Angeles cinephiles. She underscored that this year's lineup, ranging from red carpet premieres by established auteurs to exciting debuts from emerging talents, invites audiences to immerse themselves in new worlds and forge connections through the power of great art. Canva is the exclusive presenting sponsor, with FIJI Water as the official water sponsor and American Airlines as the official airline, ensuring a premium experience for all attendees. Passes are currently available, with individual tickets going on sale October 3, offering ample opportunity for film lovers to partake in this grand cinematic celebration.
