Santa Cruz Film Festival
The Santa Cruz Film Festival brings together independent cinema, adventurous artists, curious audiences, and a community that knows how to celebrate. Rooted in the creative spirit of Santa Cruz, SCFF is a place to discover a film that stays with you, meet the person who made it, and keep the conversation going over dinner, on the dance floor, or beside a beach bonfire.
🎬 Five days of films. A whole lot of Santa Cruz.
October 14–18 | Santa Cruz Film Festival 2026
Clear your calendar for independent films, filmmaker conversations, local flavors, and plenty of reasons to stay out after the credits. Here’s how the week unfolds – for our film guide, please go to our website!
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14 — LET’S MAKE A SCENE
We open with *Lunar Sway* at the Del Mar Theatre, then head to the Museum of Art & History for our Opening Night Party. Think music, cocktails, culinary bites, and a room full of people ready to celebrate independent cinema.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15 — SIP HAPPENS
Discover fresh voices on screen, then keep the conversation flowing at Big Basin Tasting Room. Wine, bites, and fireside conversations bring filmmakers and film lovers together.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16 — POUR DECISIONS
Make a day of discovering films, then join us at Woodhouse Blending & Brewing for live music, custom SCFF brews, and a Friday night with a few surprises.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17 — THE S’MORE THE MERRIER
Spend the day exploring the film lineup, then trade your theater seat for some ocean air. Our beachside gathering with Dream Inn brings the community together for fire pits, s’mores, and conversations under the Santa Cruz sky.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18 — BRUNCH WITH BENEFITS + CUE THE APPLAUSE
Start with brunch and industry conversation at Hotel Paradox, catch more festival films, and join us for our Closing Night screening at the Rio Theatre. Then it’s back to Hotel Paradox for the awards celebration and one final toast.
Every day is an invitation to discover artists, support local businesses, and connect with your community. Your support also helps SCFF provide workshop scholarships and a matching ticket and pass program for film students.
🎟️ Bring your curiosity. Bring your people. Explore the schedule and get your tickets at: https://www.santacruzfilmfestivals.org
We are part of the Santa Cruz arts community, and we want that community to thrive. Our commitment includes the visual artists, galleries, cultural organizations, and creative spaces that give this region its character. Through our festival poster artist program, artist celebrations, and collaborations with local arts partners, we create opportunities for audiences to encounter art beyond the theater. Film lives alongside illustration, photography, design, music, and performance, and we love bringing those creative worlds into conversation.
Then there are the parties.
Opening Night takes the excitement of a screening at the Del Mar Theatre into a celebration at the Museum of Art & History. Closing Night carries us from the Rio Theatre to an awards celebration at Hotel Paradox. These gatherings give filmmakers and audiences time to connect, celebrate the work, and enjoy the company of people who care about it. Plan your festival experience.
Our local partners help make these experiences distinctly Santa Cruz. Restaurants, chefs, wineries, breweries, hotels, theaters, and galleries bring their talent and hospitality to the festival. In turn, we encourage audiences to explore the neighborhood, discover a new favorite business, and spend time in the places that sustain our community throughout the year.
