OFFICIAL SELECTIONS OF IDYLLWILD 2026!

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Idyllwild CinemaFest
  • Home
  • About
    • Contact Us
    • Organizers
    • Grand Jury
    • Advisory Board
    • Team
  • Past Festivals
    • IDYLLWILD 2025
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    • IDYLLWILD 2021
    • IDYLLWILD 2020
  • Services
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OFFICIAL SELECTIONS OF IIFC 2026

    IIFC 2026 SPOTLIGHTED FILMS

    Guns In Paradise

    DIR: James Boss 

    (US) RT: 29:41

    Guns in Paradise is a South Korea–set short film that blends fantasy, action, and romance through a metafictional lens. Trapped in routine, a DVD store clerk imagines a violent, passionate love story between two doomed assassins — unaware that the fantasy she’s creating might hold the key to rewriting her own life.

    The Devil Returns to Monolith

    DIR: William Stancik 

    (US) RT: 86:27

    In 1933 Father Sydol left the dust bowl in Kansas for the clean air of Monolith, Washington. In 1934 he performed his first exorcism.  Now in 1959, the youth he saved from demons in 1934 is a troubled grown man, and the townspeople eye him with fear and suspicion.

    Gym Rat

    DIR: Korstiaan Vandiver 

    (US) RT: 102:00

    Lonnie Milsap’s delusional trek to the Mr. Olympia bodybuilding contest as an ex-con turned physique trainer as he navigates a world of bold and colorful characters that match his own often absurd behavior, from his reckless pursuit of a pump to his fixations with The Incredible Hulk and Lou Ferrigno. 

    Good Boy

    DIR: Brett Robert Culbert 

    (US) RT: 08:11

    A journey of how two wandering souls find exactly what they are looking for.


    The Death of the Hired Man


    DIR: Donald Tongue

    (US) RT: 18:01

    An aging farmhand returns to the couple he betrayed, seeking refuge and redemption. As night falls, buried wounds resurface, testing the limits of forgiveness and the true meaning of “home”. Robert Frost’s “The Death of the Hired Man” is a haunting portrait of the fragile bonds that define our humanity.

    Mother Knows Best

    DIR: Monda Raquel Webb 

    (US) RT: 27:26

    Liza, a bitter, widowed Italian mother squares off against Emma, her only son Donnie’s Jewish fiancée for his love and loyalty. Who wins this catty, churlish contentious contest? Will Emma marry the man of her dreams, or does Mother, with a closet chock full of skeletons, really know best? 


    Anxiety Club

    DIR: Wendy Lobel 

    (US) RT: 86:17

    Anxiety Club offers a heartfelt and humorous exploration of anxiety through the lens of some of today’s most brilliant comedians, including Marc Maron, Mark Normand and Tiffany Jenkins. With a mix of stand-up, sketch videos, exclusive interviews, and everyday life scenarios, they candidly share their personal struggles with anxiety.

    Namas Dei: The Tucker J. James Story

    DIR: Yannis Zafeiriou 

    (US) RT: 100:00

    In this satirical look at the Hollywood industry, a clueless wannabe movie star moves to LA and goes viral for all the wrong reasons, only to evolve into a slightly less terrible version of himself. #blessed

    Blue Moon Romance


    DIR: Howard Gensler 

    (US) RT: 155:56

    Linda Allen re-enters the dating world after the untimely passing of her husband, Tom. Two worlds collide when her birthday falls on a blue moon and a supernatural figure from her past enters her life.

    Blue

     DIR: Dayna Lynne North

    (US) RT: 12:42

    As her newfound love grows more distant, a young woman fighting to save her relationship makes a surprising discovery.

    Hit-Woman

    DIR: Malachi Lewis 

    (US) RT: 03:30

    A hit-woman's mission takes a deadly turn when her slippery target fights back. In this battle of wits and survival, only one will walk away alive. Who will it be?


    Quiet After Supper

    DIR: Francis Tejada 

    (US) RT: 96:00

    Tristan Weathers, a serial killer in Los Angeles, receives a surprise visit from his childhood friend, Abby, who stumbles upon artifacts that tells the story of each of his victims which leads Abby to confront a horrifying truth.

    Betty & Mary: The Actors Prepare

    DIR: America Young 

    (US) RT: 11:41

    Betty, a middle-aged actress, is preparing for another laughably low-stakes role when sudden pain spirals her into neuroses about aging, irrelevance, and survival. Enter Mary, her young rival, eager to “help.” “Betty & Mary” humorously explores ambition, aging, and female friendship set against the backdrop of a trivial audition.

    Swipe

    DIR: Patia Prouty 

    (US) RT: 05:30

    In this proof-of-concept short film, a woman Megan, who is very discriminating when it comes to lovers, comes across a supernatural stalker on her dating app.

    The Other Side

    DIR: Nikita Hattangady 

    (US/INDIA) RT: 28:13

    Set in the heart of Mumbai, "The Other Side" is a compelling portrayal of the struggles endured by a Mumbai street artist aspiring to attend one of the country's finest art academies. When he is faced with the decision between his desires and a friend's needs, he must choose between his heart and his conscience.

    OFFICIAL SELECTIONS OF IIFC 2026

    A Man Apart

    (US) RT: 07:00

    DIR: Nate Myers


    After Hours

    (US) RT: 04:09

    DIR: Natalie Grace Daubert


    Aliadas

    (US) RT: 27:42

    DIR: Juan Diego Ramirez


    Amadeus

    (US) RT: 18:24

    DIR: David Sasik, Lindsey Delamontaigne


    Anxiety Club

    (US) RT: 86:17

    DIR: Wendy Lobel


    Back To One

    (US) RT: 06:30

    DIR: Carly Miller


    Before The Party

    (US) RT: 14:16

    DIR: eP Cho


    Bellow

    (US) RT: 42:53

    DIR: Miguel Lopez de Leon


    Betty & Mary: The Actors Prepare

    (US) RT: 11:41

    DIR: America Young


    Blue

    (US) RT: 11:50

    DIR: Dayna Lynne North


    Blue Evening

    (US) RT: 40:00

    DIR: Jeff Jansen Fernandez


    Blue Moon Romance

    (US) RT: 155:56

    DIR: Howard Gensler


    Burn Real Slow - Acoustic

    (US) RT: 05:01

    DIR: Marvin Glover


    Caroline

    (US) RT: 11:58

    DIR: Tian Ni


    Crossing Tahoe

    (US) RT: 23:54

    DIR: Lis Bartlett


    Crossroads: Journey of the Heart

    (US) RT: 14:33

    DIR: Frank J. Fazzio


    Desperate Measures

    (US) RT: 09:50

    DIR: Jill Maxcy


    Died Twice

    (US) RT: 29:54

    DIR: Carlos Diaz


    Dinner with Quinn

    (US) RT: 09:00

    DIR: Dawn Fields


    Driven By Angels

    (US) RT: 94:00

    DIR: Brett Buescher, Nick Costello


    Durban: Creolized Creative City

    (S AFR) RT: 80:53

    DIR: Ashwin Singh, Quintin Lee White


    Eugene O’Neill’s - The First Man

    (US) RT: 100:00

    DIR: Hardeep Giani


    Flame Out

    (US) RT: 14:55

    DIR: Emily Grace Goldwyn


    Fountain of Youth

    (UK) RT: 18:04

    DIR: Ajitpal Babbra


    getaway

    (US) RT: 21:13

    DIR: Tim Burnham


    Given

    (US) RT: 14:51

    DIR: Marissa Vonn


    Going Pro

    (US) RT: 61:39

    DIR: Andre Oziol


    Good Boy

    (US) RT: 08:11

    DIR: Brett Robert Culbert


    Grind

    (US) RT: 15:50

    DIR: Mark Apicella


    Group Home Gradz

    (US/CAN) RT: 34:52

    DIR: Anja Christie - Johnson


    Guns in Paradise

    (US) RT: 29:41

    DIR: James Boss


    Headbang

    (US) RT: 14:46

    DIR: Anna Khaja


    Heckler Guy

    (US) RT: 04:40

    DIR: Miguel Lopez de Leon


    Hit-Woman

    (US) RT: 03:30

    DIR: Malachi Lewis


    I Love You More Than Dinosaurs

    (US) RT: 14:55

    DIR: Tyler Coon


    I Should Tell You

    (US) RT: 10:58

    DIR: Evan Pascal Covington


    I’m Running For My Life

    (US) RT: 03:15

    DIR: Jamon Holmes


    In Absentia

    (UK) RT: 13:09

    DIR: Charles Sharman-Cox


    Intervention

    (US) RT: 07:37

    DIR: Debradawn Shockey


    Is This The Bed We Lie In?

    (US) RT: 04:30

    DIR: Joseph McGovern


    Jonny McCoy - A Badge of Disrespect

    (US) RT: 29:15

    DIR: Sean W. Malone


    Kick The Can

    (US) RT: 90:00

    DIR: Jim Menza


    Life Support

    (US) RT: 10:32

    DIR: Jamon Tolbert


    Love and Taxe$

    (US) RT: 85:05

    DIR: Ken Feinberg and Craig D. Tollis


    Macabre

    (CAN,US) RT: 16:55

    DIR: Erik Champney, Zack Cherry


    Madre

    (AUS) RT: 19:30

    DIR: Karen Craigie, Christopher Daw

     

    Malignant Practice

    (US) RT: 34:18

    DIR: Kristin Catalano


    MascLooking

    (US) RT: 08:52

    DIR: Jonathan Brandon Hammond


    May I Put You On Hold?

    (US) RT: 13:25

    DIR: Ash Blodgett


    Monster Slayer

    (US) RT: 21:03

    DIR: Catie Skipp


    Morning Vigil

    (FRA/US) RT: 10:45

    DIR: David M. Night Maire


    Mother Knows Best

    (US) RT: 27:28

    DIR: Monda Raquel Webb


    Mr. Harris

    (US) RT: 08:47

    DIR: Max Luque


    My Little Hobby

    (US) RT: 11:59

    DIR: Lauren Stava


    My Movie Starring Paul Dano

    (US) RT: 93:19

    DIR: Joe Bartone


    My So-Called Iraqi Wedding

    (US) RT: 13:15

    DIR: Ayser Salman


    Namas Dei: The Tucker J. James Story

    (US) RT: 100:00

    DIR: Yannis Zafeiriou


    Nic of Time

    (US) RT: 06:53

    DIR: Vincent Giovanni 


    No Slasher Here

    (US) RT: 08:50

    DIR: Robert Tiemstra


    Novel Idea

    (US) RT: 04:25

    DIR: Miguel Lopez de Leon


    Now Smile

    (US) RT: 04:13

    DIR: Miguel Lopez de Leon


    Objects of Affection

    (US) RT: 14:25

    DIR: David Allan Rohrer


    Open House

    (US) RT: 09:56

    DIR: Julie Fergus


    Pieces of Lilo

    (US) RT: 88:30

    DIR: Nathaniel Mathis


    Pizza Time Pizza

    (US) RT: 06:32

    DIR: Nicholas Thurkettle


    Pocket Change

    (US) RT: 15:13

    DIR: Tanner Mobley, Heston Roewe


    Private i

    (US) RT: 16:14

    DIR: Evan Patrick Adams


    Quiet After Supper

    (US) RT: 96:00

    DIR: Francis Tejada


    R.E.W.I.N.D. To Her

    (US) RT: 05:59

    DIR: Melissa Blue


    Ramona and the Ballad of Juan Diego

    (US) RT: 116:38

    DIR: Jason Sklaver


    Remember This

    (US) RT: 19:21

    DIR: Andrew Serban


    Reminisce

    (US) RT: 11:36

    DIR: Leslie Morris


    Remnants

    (US) RT: 22:33

    DIR: Michael Catenacci


    Roughing It

    (US) RT: 16:14

    DIR: Michael D. Cohen


    Round The Corner

    (US) RT: 03:59

    DIR: Russ Emanuel


    Shoot, Shovel and Shut Up

    (US) RT: 14:58

    DIR: Tràn Hoàng Calvin


    Sienna and the Sit

    (US) RT: 16:30

    DIR: Scottie Thompson


    SilverSizzle

    (US) RT: 13:35

    DIR: Brian Russell


    Souvenirs

    (US) RT: 12:09

    DIR: Rachel Taggart


    Split Guts

    (US) RT: 10:59

    DIR: Taylor Witczak 


    Strolling Down Brighton Pier

    (UK) RT: 04:58

    DIR: Kenny McCraken


    Swipe

    (US) RT: 05:00

    DIR: Patty Prouty


    Taking Flight: The Nadine Ramsey Story

    (US) RT: 66:00

    DIR: Matthew J Hausle


    The Art of Inflation

    (COLOMBIA) RT: 22:33

    DIR: Brett Wietecha


    The Bank Yank

    (US) RT: 65:00

    DIR: Nate Myers


    The Death of the Hired Man

    (US) RT: 18:01

    DIR: Donald Tongue

     

    The Devil Returns to Monolith

    (US) RT: 86:27

    DIR: William Stancik


    The Embrace of a Bird

    (US) RT: 13:14

    DIR: Sofía Ayerdi & Vange Tapia


    The Haze

    (US) RT: 23:57

    DIR: Craig Deering


    The High King’s Daughter

    (IRE) RT: 04:59

    DIR: Joël Gibbs


    The Interview

    (US) RT: 24:09

    DIR: Kai Kim


    The Long Way Back

    (US) RT: 24:54

    DIR: Steve Tanguy


    The Nutcracker at Wethersfield

    (US) RT: 86:00

    DIR: Annie Sundberg


    The Oldest

    (US) RT: 09:48

    DIR: Caithlin McCullough


    The Other Side

    (US/INDIA) RT: 28:13

    DIR: Nikita Hattangady


    The Sandwich Line

    (US) RT: 12:19

    DIR: Jaime Schwarz


    The Shouting Fox

    (US) RT: 10:30

    DIR: Nolan Wang


    The Silver Lady

    (US) RT: 24:33

    DIR: Lux Karpov Kinrade, Dmytry Karpov Kinrade


    The Unburdened

    (US) RT: 13:11

    DIR: Arnon Z. Shorr


    The Wind

    (US) RT: 14:33

    DIR: Jeremy Patsy, Jonathan Elias


    Timewriter

    (US) RT: 26:17

    DIR: Ryan M. Luevano


    Travel Plans

    (US) RT: 03:28

    DIR: Zoey Tidwell


    Two Is Too Many

    (AUS) RT: 80:00

    DIR: Robert Hoskin


    Up North

    (US) RT: 20:21

    DIR: Joseph Salvatore DiBartolo, Ryan Luckhardt


    Vasomotor Rhinitis

    (GEORGIA) RT: 15:00

    DIR: Mikheil Gabaidze


    Waiting for Aphrodite

    (US) RT: 06:36

    DIR: Richard Stephen Bell


    Wake

    (US) RT: 11:00

    DIR: Andrew Patrick Torrez


    Work Sucks Presents: Kev Calls in Sick - The Animated Web Series

    (US) RT: 01:35

    DIR: Kevin R Fintland


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