The American Film Institute (AFI) has announced the complete lineup for AFI FEST 2026 presented by Canva.
Taking place in Hollywood from October 21 to 25, this year’s festival will showcase 157 film, of which 45% are directed by women and 32% directed by BIPOC filmmakers.
Highlighting the most acclaimed films of the season is a documentary by director award winning director Ava DuVernay that explores the history and ongoing battle surrounding the U.S. Constitution’s 14th Amendment.
With a star-studded ensemble cast, Arie and Chuko Esiri’s “Clarissa” which stars Sophie Okonedo, David Oyelowo, India Amarteifio, Toheeb Jimoh, Ayo Edebiri will also screen.
Also screening is “Ben’Imana.” Directed by Rwandan filmmaker Marie-Clémentine Dusabejambo, the film made history as the first feature film by a Rwandan director selected for the official selection at the Cannes Film Festival.
The lineup represents 50 countries and includes 10 official submissions for Best International Feature at the 99th Academy Awards.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recognizes AFI FEST as a qualifying festival for the annual Academy Awards and it is also a qualifying festival for BAFTA and BIFA for the British Short Film category.
“Our 40th edition of AFI FEST celebrates the cinematic artistry of bold, inspiring filmmakers from around the world,” said Todd Hitchcock, Director of AFI FEST and the AFI Silver Theater and Cultural Center. “With more than 80 features and nearly 70 shorts, AFI FEST 2026 will once again light up the screen of the iconic TCL Chinese Theater with a wide-ranging slate of films that includes highly anticipated awards favorites and a few surprises as well.”
Established in 1967, AFI launched the first comprehensive history of American film and sparked the movement for film preservation in the United States.
