Dances With Films: LA is set to captivate cinephiles with its 2026 festival lineup, featuring a diverse collection of independent cinema. This year's program promises an exciting blend of narrative features, compelling documentaries, and innovative short films, highlighting the vibrant spirit of independent filmmaking. The festival, known for championing emerging voices and unconventional storytelling, will host a comprehensive series of screenings and events.
Scheduled to unfold from June 18 to June 28, 2026, the festival will once again take over the iconic TCL Chinese Theater in Los Angeles. Audiences can anticipate a rich cinematic experience, with a total of 279 films slated for presentation. This impressive roster includes 41 narrative features, 17 documentary features, 4 midnight features, 33 television and streaming pilots, and 184 short films, ensuring there is something to appeal to every taste.
Among the highly anticipated selections are Jay Silverman's "Yale," which has been chosen to inaugurate the festival, and Adam Hoelzel's "Tender," set to bring the event to a close. "Yale" features a notable cast including Kevin Dunn and Rachael Harris, while "Tender" stars Jesse Garcia, Jess Weixler, David Koechner, and Robert Longstreet, promising strong performances in both opening and closing slots.
Further enriching the narrative feature category are films such as Jay Diaz’s “Angeleno,” Brian L. Tan’s “Bandit,” John Brownell’s “Coin,” Mädchen Amick’s “Fractured,” and Rachel Carey’s “Good Thoughts.” The documentary section is equally robust, with highlights including Kern Konwiser’s “Autumn,” David Booth Gardner’s “The Last Place on Earth,” Beatrix Ryle’s “My Name is Gitta,” and Jordan Kronick’s “Peaking: Psychedelics and the Pursuit of Happiness.”
Founders Leslee Scallon and Michael Trent expressed their enthusiasm for the upcoming festival, emphasizing its long-standing tradition of showcasing "The Power of Indie Film." They highlighted that the 2026 lineup, characterized by unique and diverse voices, exemplifies the creativity thriving outside traditional studio systems. The founders eagerly look forward to connecting filmmakers with enthusiastic audiences, industry distributors, and veterans within Hollywood's cinematic heartland.
This year's Dances With Films: LA festival continues its legacy of promoting independent cinema, offering a platform for filmmakers to share their visions and connect with a broader audience. The carefully curated selection reflects the festival's commitment to diverse storytelling and groundbreaking artistry, reaffirming its position as a crucial event in the independent film landscape.
