Filmmakers: Navigating DIFF 2026
Welcome, Official Selections, Finalists, and Honorable Mentions! Whether your work is lighting up the big screen at AMC Theatres at The Grove or streaming globally at DaVinciPlus™ (or both!), this page is your direct roadmap for the 8th Edition of the DaVinci International Film Festival. An FAQ for our Selections.
You can also navigate to our How to Fest page here for more details.
As we return to our roots this year as a high-impact, single-day format (comprising our Friday opening night ceremonies and all-day Saturday programming) while expanding our global residencies, we have designed this hub to keep you fully informed and moving smoothly.
Key Information & Logistics
- Venue & Schedule: All theatrical screenings and events take place at AMC Theatres at The Grove in Los Angeles. Because of our streamlined, high-density one-day format, our screening blocks will move on an exceptionally tight schedule. Please review your designated time slots carefully and plan to arrive early.
- Credential & Badge Pick-Up: Filmmaker badges, lanyards, and any allocated credentials will be available for on-site pick-up at the DIFF welcome desk starting Friday at 1200PM. Bring a valid photo ID. The name we will have registered at Will Call is the name on film title’s FilmFreeway profile.
- Plus-One Allocations: Official Selections and finalists receive two (2) complimentary All-Access passes to DIFF. One for the filmmaker or screenwriter, and a plus-one. IMPORTANT: Plus-ones must be present to collect Badge. These passes are non-transferrable. Filmmakers may wish to assign their plus-one complimentary badge to another filmmaker on the same title.
- Accommodations & Travel: For out-of-town filmmakers looking for nearby lodging, we recommend securing accommodations close to the Fairfax/Miracle Mile district or utilizing local preferred partner hotel listed on our main hospitality page, under “venues“.
Festival Participation Guidelines
- Filmmaker Q&As: Due to our tightly paced Saturday program, all post-screening Q&A sessions will begin immediately following credits. To help our moderators keep the day running smoothly, please be mindful of stage time and share the mic graciously when participating in multi-filmmaker panels.
- Red Carpet & Press: Join us Opening Night for our Getty red carpet event. Make sure to hang around after your screening; our media team will be waiting at the main step-and-repeat banner to talk about your film.
- DaVinciPlus™ Streaming Overflow: Because we received an overwhelming caliber of submissions this year and could not fit every masterwork into our limited theatrical schedule, we are thrilled to feature overflow projects on DaVinciPlus™ as well as our Honorable Mentions. DaVinciPlus will serve as our new online streaming platform to connect your work with cinephiles worldwide.