AFI Fest 2026 Unveils Exciting New Additions to Its Film Lineup

Celebrating Four Decades of Cinematic Excellence: AFI Fest's Enduring Legacy

Unveiling the Latest Red Carpet Premieres

The 2026 AFI Fest has proudly revealed several new additions to its prestigious red carpet premiere category. Among the highly anticipated films are Peter Farrelly's biographical drama, I Play Rocky, featuring Anthony Ippolito in the lead role. Also joining the premiere slate is Netflix's animated endeavor, Ray Gunn, helmed by the acclaimed director Brad Bird and boasting an impressive voice cast including Scarlett Johansson and Sam Rockwell.

Spotlight on Acclaimed Special Screenings

Beyond the premieres, the festival's special screenings section is set to showcase a collection of critically lauded films. Martin McDonagh's compelling feature, Wild Horse Nine, starring Sam Rockwell and John Malkovich, will make its appearance after garnering significant attention at the Venice Film Festival. This selection underscores AFI's commitment to presenting films that have already made a mark on the international festival circuit.

A Diverse Array of Cinematic Narratives

The AFI Fest 2026 lineup is further enriched by an eclectic mix of films spanning various genres and formats. Documentarian Ava DuVernay contributes with her thought-provoking work, 14th, while Diego Luna presents Ashes. Tony Gilroy's Behemoth!, featuring Pedro Pascal as a gifted cellist, adds a dramatic flair. European cinema is represented by Pedro Almodóvar's Bitter Christmas and Florian Zeller's Bunker, starring real-life couple Javier Bardem and Penélope Cruz. Animation takes center stage with Leah Nelson's Tangles, a poignant film about Alzheimer's disease, featuring an all-star vocal ensemble including Seth Rogen and Julia Louis-Dreyfus. Additionally, Arie and Chuko Esiri's Clarissa, Simon Stone's Elsinore, Beth de Araújo's Josephine, Ira Sachs' The Man I Love, and Kelly O’Sullivan and Alex Thompson’s Mouse are slated for screenings, promising a rich tapestry of stories and performances.

Key Dates and Artistic Vision for the 40th Anniversary

The 40th iteration of AFI Fest is scheduled to run from October 21 to 25 at the iconic TCL Chinese Theatres in Hollywood. The festival will commence with the U.S. debut of Travis Knight's animated feature, Wildwood. Other notable screenings include Netflix's The Mosquito Bowl from filmmaker Peter Berg and Sian Heder’s Being Heumann. Esteemed filmmakers Phil Lord and Chris Miller have been appointed as guest artistic directors, bringing their unique vision to the event. The full program will be announced on September 29, with passes currently available for purchase, inviting cinephiles to partake in this significant anniversary celebration.

AFI's Commitment to Community and Inspiration

Bob Gazzale, the President and CEO of the American Film Institute, articulated the festival's core mission: "AFI Fest is where the world tells stories in the beating heart of Hollywood." He further emphasized the organization's pride in reaching its 40th year, highlighting the festival's role in fostering a powerful sense of community by uniting artists and audiences, inspiring them through the shared experience of cinema.