More than 3,200 filmmakers from 85 countries submit work to the San Diego International Film Festival every year. The films that premiere here have gone on to earn 36 Oscars and 167 nominations.

The silver edition runs across La Jolla, University City, and Solana Beach. Six days of premieres, tributes, panels, parties, and one late night on a North County dance floor.

Three Awards and a Red Carpet at The Conrad

The week opens Tuesday with Night of the Stars at The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center. Viola Davis takes the Gregory Peck Award of Excellence in Cinema, joining past honorees Mark Hamill, Annette Bening, and Geena Davis.

Two more honors land the same night. Mira Sorvino receives the Virtuoso Award, and Iliza Shlesinger receives the Trailblazer Award, seven stand-up specials in.

Red carpet and pre-reception at 5:30 PM, awards show at 7 PM. General admission is $185, VIP box seats are $250 per person, and the online silent auction runs 2 PM to 9 PM.

The Debut Premieres Across Fay Avenue

Wednesday moves one block over to THE LOT La Jolla. DJ Valentina starts the pre-party at 5:30 PM, and Jesse Eisenberg’s The Debut goes up at 7 PM.

Julianne Moore stars as a housewife cast in a community theater production who loses herself in the role, with Paul Giamatti, Halle Bailey, and Bernadette Peters.

Individual tickets are gone, so a VIP Pass is the way in. The after-party runs late with bites, cocktails, and dancing.

Four Days at AMC 14, From Elsinore to Chasing Summer

Thursday through Sunday the festival takes over AMC 14 at Westfield UTC for premieres, filmmaker Q&As, and panels at $25 a seat. The Fest Lounge runs all four days, and a day pass is $50.

Three titles joined the slate this week. Elsinore tells the true story of Ian Charleson, the actor who kept performing while facing his own mortality, Saturday at 6:15 PM.

La Bola Negra won Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi Best Director at Cannes, and it runs 155 minutes Thursday at 7:15 PM. Chasing Summer, Shlesinger’s script, plays Thursday at 5 PM and Sunday at 1 PM.

People of the West, Plus a Panel on Women in Film

During Indigenous Peoples Week, the festival screens Episode 1 of People of the West, a ten-part Native docu-drama presented with Pechanga. Friday at 6 PM and Sunday at 11:30 AM.

“I wanted to create the series I wish my children could have seen growing up,” said creator and executive producer Bradley Munoa. Barona, Sycuan, Jamul, and Viejas are all supporting the screening.

The Women’s Film Series continues with the San Diego History Center. Women in Film: Breaking Barriers and Shaping the Industry runs Friday at 2:30 PM with directors Jo Rochelle, Arabella Oz, and Lauren Noll.

A Funk Band Saturday, a Michelin Chase Sunday

Saturday the celebration heads north. 25 Years After Dark takes over Belly Up Tavern with doors at 8 PM, the Filmmaker Awards at 9 PM, and The Mustache Bash Band around 9:30 PM.

General admission is $55, and the night funds the festival’s education program.

Sunday starts with Culinary Cinema: bagels and coffee, then Feast or Famine, narrated by Marco Pierre White. Both seatings are sold out, and A Talent for Murder closes the week at 7 PM.

What $250, $375, and $575 Get You

The VIP Pass is $575 and covers all six days: every signature event, screening, panel, and Fest Lounge access. The Fest Pass is $375 for Thursday to Sunday.

The Weekend Pass is $250 for the Saturday and Sunday version of the same, Belly Up party included.

A pass gets you in, but screenings still need advance reservations and they fill. Opening night and Culinary Cinema are already gone.

See you there!

Twenty-five years of premieres, tributes, and late nights within a short drive of each other. The slate is out and seats are going, so book now.

📆 Tuesday, October 13 – Sunday, October 18
📍 First venue: 7600 Fay Ave, La Jolla
🎟️ View ticket options here
ℹ️ Check what else is happening here

See you there, San Diego!