AFI Fest 2026 has announced a 157-film lineup spanning 50 countries for its 40th edition in Hollywood. Running Oct. 21–25 at TCL Chinese Theatres, the festival will feature red-carpet premieres, international features, documentaries, short films and productions from the AFI Conservatory.
Key Takeaways
- AFI Fest 2026 will feature 157 films from 50 countries during its 40th edition
- The festival is scheduled for Oct. 21–25 at TCL Chinese Theatres in Hollywood
- The lineup includes five Red Carpet Premieres and 12 Special Screenings
- Selections include 18 Discovery titles, 17 documentaries and 45 Short Film Competition entries
- The AFI Conservatory Showcase will feature productions from the institute’s filmmaking program
AFI Fest 2026 Announces 157-Film Hollywood Lineup
The 40th edition of AFI Fest will bring 157 films from 50 countries to Hollywood, with programming spanning feature films, documentaries, shorts and work from emerging filmmakers. The lineup combines international cinema with projects from established directors and newer filmmaking voices.
The festival program includes five Red Carpet Premieres and 12 Special Screenings, along with Discovery, documentary, short-film and AFI Conservatory selections.
AFI Fest 2026 will take place from Oct. 21 through Oct. 25 at TCL Chinese Theatres in Hollywood, placing its screenings in one of Los Angeles’ best-known cinema districts.
The 157-film total covers the complete festival selection rather than a single competition or program. Feature films, documentaries, shorts and Conservatory projects will be presented across distinct sections during the five-day event.
International Filmmakers Join the 40th Edition
Films from 50 countries give the 2026 edition a substantial international presence, with filmmakers from the United States appearing alongside directors from a wide range of international filmmaking communities.
The program includes work from established filmmakers and newer directors, allowing internationally recognized names and emerging voices to appear within the same festival schedule.
The international component also joins a busy regional calendar. The recent Los Angeles festival lineup for Beyond Fest included world, international, North American, U.S. and West Coast premieres across several local theaters.
International features form one part of AFI Fest’s wider program, alongside documentaries, shorts, Discovery selections and productions from the AFI Conservatory.
For Los Angeles audiences, the 50-country lineup provides access to films representing a broad range of filmmaking communities during the festival’s five-day Hollywood run.
Festival Schedule Includes Premieres and Special Screenings
AFI Fest 2026 includes five Red Carpet Premieres and 12 Special Screenings within its larger 157-film program.
The Red Carpet Premieres provide designated festival presentations for five selected films, while the Special Screenings category adds another 12 presentations to the schedule.
The festival also includes 18 Discovery titles, giving emerging filmmakers another defined section within the overall program.
Across the five-day event, the programming structure allows feature films, documentaries, shorts and Conservatory projects to appear in distinct sections rather than within a single screening category.
The schedule will be presented at TCL Chinese Theatres in Hollywood throughout the Oct. 21–25 run.
Documentary and Short Film Selections Expand the Lineup
Documentaries account for 17 selections in the announced program, while the Short Film Competition includes 45 films. Together, the two categories contribute 62 titles to the broader festival lineup.
The documentary section provides a dedicated place for nonfiction filmmaking alongside the festival’s narrative features and international selections.
Short-form filmmaking also has a substantial presence. The 45 Short Film Competition selections give filmmakers a dedicated section for projects produced outside the feature-length format.
Los Angeles’ festival calendar also includes emerging media screenings spanning film, animation, immersive experiences and digital storytelling, reflecting the variety of screen-based work presented across the region.
The Short Film Competition remains one of several distinct sections within AFI Fest, alongside documentaries, Discovery titles, premieres and Conservatory productions.
The documentary and short-film selections will be screened throughout the Oct. 21–25 schedule at TCL Chinese Theatres.
AFI Conservatory Productions Join Festival Program
The AFI Conservatory Showcase will bring productions from the American Film Institute’s filmmaking program into the broader 40th-edition lineup.
The showcase provides a dedicated section for filmmakers developing their work through AFI’s training program. Their projects will appear alongside international features, documentaries, shorts and films from more established directors.
Emerging filmmakers are also represented through the festival’s Discovery selections, creating multiple sections for newer filmmaking voices within the overall program.
The Conservatory Showcase forms part of a lineup that combines premieres, international cinema, documentaries, short-form work and emerging talent.
With 157 films from 50 countries, AFI Fest 2026 will bring established filmmakers, emerging directors, international cinema and Conservatory productions together at TCL Chinese Theatres from Oct. 21–25.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is AFI Fest 2026?
AFI Fest 2026 is scheduled for Oct. 21–25. The festival will run for five days as part of its 40th edition.
Where will AFI Fest 2026 take place?
The festival will take place at TCL Chinese Theatres in Hollywood, which will host screenings throughout the Oct. 21–25 schedule.
How many films are included in the AFI Fest 2026 lineup?
The lineup includes 157 films from 50 countries. The program spans premieres, international features, documentaries, short films and AFI Conservatory productions.
How many countries are represented at AFI Fest 2026?
Films from 50 countries are represented in the 2026 lineup, giving the festival a broad international component alongside U.S. productions.
What types of films are included in the AFI Fest 2026 schedule?
The program includes five Red Carpet Premieres, 12 Special Screenings, 18 Discovery titles, 17 documentaries, 45 Short Film Competition selections and AFI Conservatory Showcase productions.
