The American Film Institute (AFI) today revealed a special event at AFI FEST 2026 presented by Canva, ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD WITH QUENTIN TARANTINO. The evening will include a conversation with Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Quentin Tarantino following a screening of ONCE UPON A TIME…IN HOLLYWOOD. Ahead of David Fincher’s highly anticipated new film THE FURTHER MIS-ADVENTURES OF CLIFF BOOTH, the festival will revisit Cliff Booth’s original misadventures on Friday, October 23 at the TCL Chinese Theatre, where ONCE UPON A TIME…IN HOLLYWOOD held its U.S. Premiere in 2019.
Individual tickets and passes are available at FEST.AFI.com.
“As the world awaits THE FURTHER MIS-ADVENTURES OF CLIFF BOOTH, AFI is proud to celebrate where it all began,” said Bob Gazzale, AFI President & CEO. “And to do so with one of the greatest storytellers of our generation is a gift to all who love the movies.”
As previously announced, the 40th edition of AFI FEST will run October 21 to 25 at the TCL Chinese Theatres in the heart of Hollywood. This year’s festival now presents 158 films across 6 Red Carpet Premieres, 12 Special Screenings, 13 Luminaries selections, 18 Discovery titles, 16 World Cinema selections, 17 documentaries, 3 After Dark films, 4 Guest Artistic Director presentations, 45 films in the Short Film Competition and 24 films from the AFI Conservatory Showcase presented by AMC Global Media. Of the official selections, 45% are directed by women and 32% are directed by BIPOC filmmakers.
The full lineup represents 50 countries and includes 12 official submissions for Best International Feature at the 99th Academy Awards®: 9 TEMPLES TO HEAVEN (Thailand); ALL OF A SUDDEN (Japan); BEN’IMANA (Rwanda); CITIZEN OSAMA (Palestine); ELEPHANTS IN THE FOG (Nepal); EVERYTIME (Germany); THE MELTDOWN (Chile); NINA ROZA (Canada); POSSIBLE LOVE (South Korea); REHEARSALS FOR A REVOLUTION (United Kingdom); ROSE (Austria) and WE ARE ALL STRANGERS (Singapore).
The festival will open with the U.S. premiere of WILDWOOD and close with BEING HEUMANN. Additional Red Carpet Premieres include the World Premiere of THE MOSQUITO BOWL, I PLAY ROCKY and RAY GUNN. Special Screenings include 14th, ASHES, BEHEMOTH!, BITTER CHRISTMAS, BUNKER, CLARISSA, ELSINORE, JOSEPHINE, THE MAN I LOVE, MOUSE, TANGLES and WILD HORSE NINE.
This year’s Guest Artistic Directors are Academy Award®-winning filmmakers Phil Lord and Chris Miller. The Guest Artistic Director Program will include “An Evening with Lord and Miller,” which will feature a Q&A with the directors followed by a screening of 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY (1968) as well as screenings of HAROLD AND MAUDE (1971), THE MUPPET MOVIE (1979) and RIFIFI (1955).
Explore the full program for AFI FEST 2026 presented by Canva.
Canva is the exclusive Presenting Sponsor of AFI FEST. FIJI Water is the festival’s Official Water Sponsor. American Airlines is the Official Airline of the festival.
Passes to AFI FEST 2026 are now available for purchase online at FEST.AFI.com. Festivalgoers can choose from the Star Pass, Patron Pass and the new Marquee Pass. The AFI FEST Star Pass features access to all screenings (excluding Red Carpet Premieres), early screening selection and theater access, access to the AFI FEST Lounge, AFI FEST merch and free rush access. The Patron Pass features all the benefits of the Star Pass, plus access to Red Carpet Premieres and priority screening selection and theater access.
AFI FEST is recognized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as a qualifying festival for the Live Action, Animated and Documentary Short Film categories for the annual Academy Awards®. AFI FEST is also a qualifying festival for consideration for the British Short Film categories of both the BAFTA Film Awards and the British Independent Film Awards (BIFA).
AFI is a nonprofit, donor-powered organization. Join AFI’s Premiere Circle to support the American Film Institute and enjoy access to exclusive one-of-a-kind opportunities at AFI events, including AFI FEST. To learn more, email Advancement@AFI.com.
Canva, the all-in-one visual communication and collaboration platform, returns as the exclusive Presenting Sponsor of AFI FEST 2026. Built to empower everyone across the entertainment industry, from screenwriters and directors to producers, production teams and studios, Canva helps bring ideas from early concept to screen. Entertainment professionals use Canva to pitch projects and secure buy-in, develop storyboards and mood boards, plan productions, collaborate with cast and crew, create marketing campaigns and promotional assets, and build presentations that bring creative visions to life.
Canva will be integrated throughout AFI FEST including hosting industry networking events and hands-on training workshops for filmmakers, while powering the festival’s digital and printed materials. Entertainment professionals can explore resources to pitch projects, plan shoots and bring creative visions to life at canva.com/entertainment.