Newport Beach CA
8-14-2026 6:04am

The Long Beach Film Festival | Art Theatre/Long Beach | Aug 29-30

Long Beach is getting ready for its close-up! 

TICKETS

The Long Beach Film Festival is pleased to unveil the full lineup for its inaugural festival weekend, bringing together independent filmmakers, emerging voices and movie lovers for two days of screenings, conversations, and special events. The festivities kick-off with an Opening Night Party aboard the Queen Mary on Friday, August 28, followed by two full days of cinema at the Art Theatre of Long Beach, August 29–30.

The Festival spans four feature films and four curated short-film programs, with stories ranging from dark comedy and horror to science fiction, drama and deeply human stories of second chances. Throughout the weekend, screenings will be complemented by filmmaker Q&As, panel conversations and programming in the LBFF FilmLounge, giving audiences the opportunity to meet filmmakers, hear the stories behind their work and continue the conversation beyond the screen.

The weekend begins Friday, August 28, with the LBFF Opening Night Party aboard the Queen Mary. From 6 to 9 p.m., guests will walk the red carpet inside one of Long Beach’s most iconic landmarks for an evening celebrating the filmmakers, artists and community behind the city’s newest film festival. Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson will join the celebration to share a few words and lead a special toast marking the official kickoff of the inaugural festival.

On Saturday, August 29, the festival moves to the Art Theatre of Long Beach for its first full day of screenings. The day begins at noon with “Out of This World!”, a collection of five short films exploring different worlds, dimensions and some of life’s biggest questions. At 3 p.m., writer, director and actor Emily Robinson, known for Eighth Grade, brings “Ugly Cry” to the screen. The darkly comedic feature follows an actor whose “ugly cry” costs them their dream role and sends them spiraling down a dangerous path toward perfection.

Saturday evening continues at 6 p.m. with “Again Again,” written, directed by and starring Mia Moore and executive produced by Lilly Wachowski. The film follows Agatha, who has spent 10 years reliving the same day in a torturous time loop, only to unexpectedly wake up to something even more frightening: a brand-new day.

Closing Saturday night at 9 p.m. is “Nightmares on 4th Street,” a 90-minute collection of eight horror shorts promising campy fun, scares and plenty of reasons to keep the theater lights on a little longer.

The festival returns Sunday, August 30, beginning at 11 a.m. with “The Pursuit of Happiness,” a collection of six short films examining change, risk and the forces shaping modern life around the world. At 1:30 p.m., LBFF brings the story home with “Rescued,” written, directed by and starring Long Beach filmmaker DJ Hale. The feature follows a homeless man who finds the motivation to turn his life around after a stray dog befriends him and refuses to leave his side.

At 4:30 p.m., “21st Century Problems” turns its attention to the complications of modern adulthood, with seven short films exploring love, friendship and life in times of crisis through stories ranging from comedic to dramatic.

The inaugural screening program concludes Sunday at 7 p.m. with director Danny Madden’s “Downbeat.” The feature follows a troubled drummer who moves in with his sister in Boston and rediscovers his passion through street performing, only to find his newfound stability threatened by his own reckless choices.

Beyond the screenings, LBFF is creating opportunities for audiences to engage directly with the people behind the films. Filmmaker Q&As and panel conversations will take place throughout the weekend, while the LBFF FilmLounge will serve as a gathering place for filmmakers, industry professionals and festivalgoers.

The festival is also making room for its youngest future filmmakers. On Sunday, from 9:00 - 10:30 a.m., LBFF StoryLab will invite children ages 8–12 into the FilmLounge for a hands-on introduction to filmmaking. Young storytellers will explore camera basics, visual storytelling and how filmmakers turn an idea into something audiences can experience on the big screen, with an emphasis on creativity, confidence and finding their own storytelling voice.

Festivalgoers can experience LBFF in several ways. Individual screening tickets begin at $10, while the $75 All Festival Pass provides unlimited access to screenings Saturday and Sunday. The $150 VIP Pass offers the festival’s most complete experience, including all film screenings, Friday’s Opening Night Party, the Saturday Soiree, Festival Afterparty, panel talks and other FilmLounge events. All festival passes include complimentary popcorn at the Art Theatre.

2026 LONG BEACH FILM FESTIVAL AT A GLANCE

Friday, August 28
6–9 p.m. — Opening Night Party | Queen Mary

Saturday, August 29
12:00 p.m. — Out of This World! | Short Film Block

2:00 p.m. — Industry Panel Talk | In the FilmLounge
3:00 p.m. — Ugly Cry | Feature Film

6:00 p.m. — Again Again | Feature Film
9:00 p.m. — Nightmares on 4th Street | Short Film Block

Sunday, August 30
9:00 a.m — StoryLab

11:00 a.m. — The Pursuit of Happiness | Short Film Block
1:30 p.m. — Rescued | Feature Film
4:15 pm. — “Rescued in Real Life” panel talk | In the FilmLounge

4:30 p.m. — 21st Century Problems | Short Film Block

7:00 p.m. — Downbeat | Feature Film

9:00 p.m. — LBFF Afterparty | In the FilmLounge

Weekend festival passes are available now. To purchase tickets and learn more visit www.longbeachfilmfestival.org.

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