The 18th Annual Santa Fe International Film Festival
Oct 14, 2026 - Oct 19, 2026
The 18th Annual Santa Fe International Film Festival
The 18th Annual Santa Fe International Film Festival (SFiFF) takes place October 14-19, 2026 for six days of over 160 premiere film screenings, daily industry events, free educational panels, and special programming for both filmmakers and audiences.
Santa Fe International Film Festival is an Academy Award®-qualifying festival in the categories of Documentary Short, Narrative Short, and Animated Short. During its history, Santa Fe International Film Festival (SFiFF) has presented an array of films ranging from major Academy Award® winners to top international films to undiscovered indie gems—to more than 145,700 attendees. Founded in 2009, SFiFF is now one of the top annual events and the largest event of its kind in New Mexico, with more than 300 hours of programming each season.
Recent guests have included Edward James Olmos, Bryan Cranston, Christopher Guest, Oliver Stone, Godfrey Reggio, Catherine Hardwicke, Shirley MacLaine, Ethan Hawke, Wes Studi, Jay Roach, Ali MacGraw, John Sayles, Ricki Lake, and Jane Seymour. Santa Fe was host to a wealth of amazing theaters, like the 1930 built Lensic, and the Center for Contemporary Arts. In 2013 George RR Martin reopened the Jean Cocteau Cinema, and a year later Sky Cinemas Railyard (then Violet Crown Cinema) was completed. In 2026, Sky Cinemas revitalized the Midtown theater, making Santa Fe one of the world’s greatest movie theater cities. SFiFF was recognized nationally by IndieWire Magazine as “a young Sundance” and was named one of Moviemaker Magazine’s “Coolest Film Festivals on the Planet,” and “50 Festivals Worth the Entry Fee.” SFiFF receives editorial coverage in major media outlets, including MovieMaker, Variety, the Hollywood Reporter, and The Wrap. SFiFF also presents Variety’s 10 Screenwriters to Watch, which is the only “10 to Watch” event in the Southwest Region.
The annual festival flows throughout downtown Santa Fe and its Railyard District day and night at theaters screening independent and international films, plus receptions, panels, and discussions with movie makers.
Date: October 14-19, 2026
Location: throughout Santa Fe
Cost: Prices Vary.
Tickets: Tickets and Passes Now On Sale!
Get your Tickets, Festival Pass, Patron Pass, and Ticket Packages for the 2026 festival at https://santafe.film/
Event Information
Location: Throughout Santa Fe
https://santafe.film/
Cost: Ticket prices/packages vary.
Recommended Lodging
Rancho Jacona
Escape to the glorious New Mexico countryside at this guest ranch, with 12 vacation rental casitas on a 17th-century estancia, or homestead. Located just 15 miles northwest of Santa Fe on the road to Los Alamos, 20 minutes from downtown Santa Fe, Rancho Jacona is a peaceful retreat. Your casita features rustic viga ceilings, a kiva fireplace and other elements of New Mexico style. Stay for a few days or for a while, as lodging includes well-equipped kitchens and laundry facilities.
Cities of Gold Hotel
Just north of Santa Fe, this comfortable hotel features Sangre de Cristo
Mountain views and places you steps from casino gaming, dining, and entertainment near the Poeh Cultural Center at Pojoaque Pueblo.
citiesofgold.com/