Coming August 29-30th

Written By Sonja Schenk

Debuting at the historic Art Theatre, the two-day event brings world-class cinema to Long Beach: "Big enough to move the world, small enough to feel connected."

LONG BEACH, CA — May 28, 2026 — The first annual Long Beach Film Festival (LBFF) was officially announced today, set to bring a new, filmmaker-led cinematic experience to the city on Saturday, August 29 and Sunday, August 30, 2026. The inaugural event will transform the waterfront city into a dynamic cultural hub, uniting premier global cinema with local filmmaking talent at the iconic Art Theatre Long Beach.

Produced in partnership with the Arts Council for Long Beach and Visit Long Beach, the festival serves as a critical launching pad for independent visual artists, anchors community storytelling, and drives regional tourism. Over its weekend run, LBFF will screen a diverse slate of international feature narratives, shorts, and documentaries, while offering a dedicated spotlight for local Long Beach creators.

Festival Highlights Include:

  • Historic Venue: All screenings will take place at the iconic Art Theatre Long Beach on 4th Street.

  • Filmmaker-Founded and Curated: With five working directors and producers on its seven-member board; LBFF is built from the ground up to champion the artist’s experience and high-quality cinematic exhibition.

  • Industry Panels: Educational sessions bridging emerging creators with established Hollywood professionals.

  • Local Incentives: Discounted submission rates via FilmFreeway for local residents and films made in Long Beach. 

“Our vision is to create a film festival that feels both world-class and deeply local,” says board member and Long Beach filmmaker Christo Brock.  Director of Programming and filmmaker Hunter Stiebel adds, “Our festival celebrates Long Beach’s unique character and invites filmmakers from across the industry to become part of this growing creative force."

“Long Beach is one of the most diverse and vibrant cities in the country, and that community spirit is the heartbeat of this festival,” adds Andi Orendain, Director of Advancement and Community Partnerships for the festival. “We’ve planned industry panels where real conversations happen and mixers where filmmakers and film lovers actually connect. Our community is ready for this. We're just opening the doors."

The festival is open to the public, with passes and tickets available in early summer. The final deadline for film submissions is June 15, 2026.

Event Details

Sonja Schenk
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About the Long Beach Film Festival