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San Diego International Film Festival

San Diego International Film Festival

October 13-18, 2026

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Film Insider Series

Film. Conversation. Celebration.

Exclusive early access to films before their theatrical debut.

Each May through August, the Film Insider Series begins with a curated pre-reception featuring signature drinks and bites, followed by a screening and engaging conversation. The evening continues afterward with sweet treats, cocktails, and lively discussion—bringing filmmakers, industry professionals, and passionate audiences together for a seamless, shared cinematic experience.

Join us next season!

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    2026 Screenings

    2026 Awards Viewing Party
    Join us for a glamorous Awards Viewing Party, where film lovers gather to experience cinema’s biggest night while enjoying a thoughtfully curated evening of cocktails and bites from San Diego’s top chefs—honoring a legacy rooted in culture, coast, and cinema. Proceeds benefit the Festival’s FOCUS on Impact Educational Program, supporting educators and students across San Diego County through film-based learning and social impact storytelling. Sunday, March 15, 2024 | 3:00 Red Carpet | Guests Cast Ballots for 50/50 Raffle | 4:00 Academy Awards Live Telecast Begins | Attire: Black Tie | Location: TBD | Valet Parking Included in Ticket
    Buy Now
    Mar 15
    25 Years After Dark Party - Belly Up Tavern
    Celebrate 25 years of the San Diego International Film Festival at 25 Years After Dark, our signature Saturday night celebration at Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach. After a full day of Festival screenings, keep the celebration going with an evening of live music, dancing, and great company. The night begins with a live DJ, followed by a high-energy band playing crowd favorites and dance-floor hits. Join filmmakers, industry guests, and fellow film lovers as we toast 25 years of storytelling, culture, and community while supporting the San Diego Film Foundation’s year-round education programs.
    Buy Now
    Oct 17
    A Talent For Murder
    Drama
    The film follows a mysterious young man from a New York publisher (Ehrenreich) who is sent to Switzerland to persuade the renowned writer Patricia Highsmith (Mirren) to write one final installment of the Ripley anthology.
    Buy Now
    Oct 15, Oct 16
    Alone on the Mound: The Tortured Life of Eric Show
    Drama
    Behind every broken record is a broken heart. When Pete Rose eclipsed Ty Cobb as Major League Baseball’s all-time hits leader exactly 40 years ago, no one stopped to think about the pitcher who served it up, who never wanted to be a baseball player to begin with, who was so conflicted and woe-is-me that he sat down that night on the pitching mound. His name is Eric Show, pronounced like “how,’’ as in how did he become one of the most star-crossed players in big league history? The answer —as the victim of the Rose hit, an abusive childhood and a beanball incident that left him public enemy No. 1 —is a case study of being at the wrong place at the wrong time. A case study of being all alone.
    Buy Now
    Oct 17, Oct 18
    American Muscle
    Drama
    A desperate auto mechanic with a troubled past, enlists the help of his estranged sister to pay off a sizable gambling debt. But when two collectors show up demanding immediate payment, their plan begins to unravel. As pressure mounts and the clock ticks down, old wounds and buried family secrets resurface, forcing the siblings to confront their past and the ties that bind them - or risk losing everything, including each other.
    Buy Now
    Oct 15, Oct 16
    Animation Filmmaking
    Animation, international films, Shorts
    Immerse yourself within the animated realm through incredible narrative, experimental technique and literal moving art. Addicted To It: Dace thought “unplugging” would be a walk in the park, but when his phone comes to life and chases him down, he learns that he just might be a little bit… addicted to it. Azuki: This little animated poem tells the story of a stray searching for a place to belong. Companionship: The film realizes the dynamic expression of traditional ink painting art through AI technology, and explores the theme of harmonious coexistence between man and nature. Flink’s Pigeon Problems: An adorable creature leaves no stone unturned trying to rescue his kingdom's pigeons. Home: In a desolate world without nature, a grieving old man clings to the phantom of his daughter after losing everything to a great disaster. Memory Jar: “Memory Jar” is a film about the everyday struggle of balancing work and family, and the choices we make about how and where we spend our time. Life is like a camera: every day, we have the power to choose what we focus on. See You Tomorrow: A five-year-old boy wakes to find his beloved dog has died in the early morning. As he drifts through the moment in a quiet daze, memories of their time together begin to surface—joyful moments, missed chances, things left unsaid—leading him to feel the quiet ache of regret for the very first time. Sundays: in this intimate, 2D animated, memoir, a daughter navigates the aftermath of loss as she reflects on the weekly rituals she once shared with her father. The Farmer’s Daughter: An eco-conscious stop-motion animated short film about a daughter who strives to save her father’s failing conventional farm using regenerative farming practices. The High King’s Daughter: Ruairí is captivated after meeting The High King’s Daughter while a plan is hatched in an attempt to keep them apart forever. The Last Amulet: To escape relentless bullying and her grandfather's strict rituals, a 16-year-old girl runs away on her coming-of-age day—stumbling upon a deeply hidden family secret. The Sun & The Wind: Two cosmic rivals battle it out, only to realize that even the fiercest power can’t beat a small spark of warmth.
    Buy Now
    Oct 16, Oct 18
    August Screening - 2026 Film Insider Series
    Coming soon!
    Buy Now
    Aug 19
    Between Worlds
    Drama
    Between identies, borders, and unexpected circumstances, these stories explore what it means to navigate the space between worlds. Creators: A struggling content creator chasing viral fame gets in over his head after turning a stranger's darkest moment into clickbait. Double Exposure: Two young women investigating a suspected romance between their brothers unexpectedly fall in love with each other. Green or Yellow: During the Korean War, a young refugee girl’s innocent mistake exposes the brutality of war and the tragic futility of ideological conflict. Homebodies: In a near-future where it costs money to go outside, a burnt-out woman risks fraud when she pays her boyfriend's 'exit toll' for alone time. Method Cowboy: When a struggling actor feigns being gay to land the role of a lifetime in an Oscar-bait Cowboy Western, he decides to transform himself for the role, blurring the lines between reality and performance. SAM: Sam, a former humanitarian, witnesses the impact of 30,000 migrants seeking asylum as a sudden border crisis unfolds just half a mile from home.
    Buy Now
    Oct 17, Oct 18
    Birds of War
    Romance, Social Issue
    The love story of London-based Lebanese journalist and Syrian-based activist/cameraman over thirteen years of revolutions, war and exile.
    Buy Now
    Oct 17, Oct 18

    Thank You to our 2025 Sponsors


    Over the years, the Film Insider Series has showcased some incredible films.

    2024


    2023


    May 2023 Screening poster
    Trailer The Lesson June 2023 Screening
    It Ain't over yogi berra mover poster
    the unknown country movie poster

    2019


    2018


    2017


    2016


    Category: Festival News
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    The San Diego Film Foundation is a 501c.3 non-profit arts and education organization that provides a year-round global narrative through film screenings, as well as a world-renowned annual Film Festival each October. 

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