A place for great stories and film.
Ojai Film Festival celebrates the power of cinema by welcoming compelling voices, original perspectives, and films that leave a lasting impression. We’re proud to create a space where strong storytelling and great filmmaking can truly shine. Join us November 5th–9th, 2026, for four days dedicated to great cinema and the voices behind it.
Stay tuned for upcoming announcements about tickets, special events, and our official film lineup.
A beautiful place for storytelling. More than a screening event, Ojai Film Festival brings filmmakers, audiences, and unforgettable stories together in one of California’s most inspiring settings. Join us November 5th–9th, 2026, for five days of inspiring films, special events, and meaningful filmmaker connections.
Stay tuned for upcoming announcements about tickets, special events, and our official film lineup.
🎬 Save the Dates — Ojai Film Festival 2026 🎬
The Ojai Film Festival 2026 returns 📍 Ojai, California 🗓 November 5th–9th, 2026
Mark your calendars for five unforgettable days of inspiring films, filmmaker conversations, and community celebration in the heart of Ojai.
Stay tuned for upcoming announcements about tickets, special events, and our official film lineup.
🎥 Filmmakers: Submissions are now open on FilmFreeway! Submit your film here: 👉 https://filmfreeway.com/OjaiFilmFestival
We can’t wait to welcome you back to Ojai this November.
02/24/2026
The 2026 Ojai Film Festival Is Now Open for Submissions on FilmFreeway!
Filmmakers from around the world are invited to submit their films and be part of one of Southern California’s most welcoming and filmmaker-focused festivals. Sign up now: https://filmfreeway.com/OjaiFilmFestival
Now in its 27th year, the Ojai Film Festival continues to grow in importance and prestige as one of the country’s premier destination festivals. This celebrated 4-day event has earned a reputation for showcasing the very best new films from emerging and established filmmakers — and has helped launch numerous careers over the past two decades.
Don’t miss your chance to screen in beautiful Ojai, connect with fellow creatives, and share your story with an engaged and enthusiastic audience.
02/21/2026
Congratulations🥂 on the Academy Award nomination to winner of our 2025 Audience Choice Award and Bill Paxton Award for best Gold Coast film!
The curtain has closed on the 26th Annual Ojai Film Festival, but the spotlight shines bright on this year’s incredible award-winning filmmakers! 🌟
From powerful documentaries to breathtaking narratives and innovative animations, every film brought something unforgettable to the screen. Thank you to all the artists who shared their vision — and to our audiences for being part of the magic in Ojai! ❤️🎞️
👏 Congratulations to all our 2025 award winners!
11/13/2025
🎬✨ We want to hear from YOU!
The 26th Annual Ojai Film Festival wrapped Monday night — but your feedback helps shape next year’s magic. 🌟
If you attended screenings, panels, or parties, please take a minute to fill out our online audience survey. Your insights help us grow, improve, and attract future sponsors who support independent film in Ojai. 🎥💬
Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Ojai Film Festival posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
An international forum for filmmakers, the Ojai Film Festival has a reputation for presenting world-class independent films to savvy, sophisticated audiences. From animators to screenwriters, students and Hollywood veterans - this community of film lovers gather for ten days in the Fall to be “at the movies.” An intimate yet worldly festival, nestled in secluded Ojai - yet in easy reach of the film industry power center of Los Angeles. Celebrating the festival’s 20th Anniversary this year, opening night kickoff includes a Halloween theme and a free all ages movie in downtown Ojai’s Libbey Bowl on October 31, 2019.
Ranked as one of the top 100 Best Reviewed Festivals on FilmFreeway (number one film submission platform worldwide) the Ojai Film Festival continues to grow in prestige as one of the country’s premier destination festivals. A 10-day event showcasing the best new films from emerging and established filmmakers - helping to launch several careers over the last decade. Since 2000, 15 alumni received Academy Award nominations, two won Oscars, and numerous others went on to gain distribution and prestigious awards.
“Our festival provides a valuable service to filmmakers,” Steve Grumette, Artistic Director for the Festival, said. “We give them access to a highly appreciative audience that includes film industry professionals who can help guide their careers. We’re particularly proud of the fact that over a dozen films first shown at the Ojai Film Festival went on to win great honors elsewhere, including Academy Awards and Nominations.”
With a lineup of titles from around the world, including many groundbreaking works otherwise inaccessible to the public, past entries represent over 46 countries. Categories include short or long narrative film, short or long documentary film, animation, and screenplay. Winning filmmakers accept several prizes, including trophies, best-of category honors, and a Panavision camera rental package worth $60,000 USD for the Best Student Film. In addition to an award, the writer of the winning script will also be honored at the festival's award ceremony with a table-read by a cast of professional actors under the guidance of an experienced director.
“We added this screenplay competition to the festival," said Bruce Novotny, Screenplay Competition chairman, "in order to celebrate the very starting point of the creative process — the story . . . The quality of the screenplays submitted - from all over the world - has been outstanding, and the live read of our most recent winning script was a big crowd favorite."
The Festival strives to embody their theme: “Enriching the Human Spirit through Film,” and features two Free Community Screenings, Lifetime Achievement Award honorees, filmmaker and screening seminars, Focus Earth screenings, Gold Coast screenings (films created in and around Ventura County), a Student Filmmakers Program with Workshops and special events, and special surprise guests. Previous honorees included Ed Asner and Malcolm McDowell, among others.
Located in the picturesque Ojai Valley - a visitor destination that was recently featured in Condé Nast Traveler, Sunset, Men’s Journal, The New Yorker, The New York Times and The Washington Post - the Ojai Film Festival is just fifteen miles from the Pacific Ocean, and about an hour’s drive to Los Angeles or Santa Barbara. Starts October 31 and runs through November 11, 2019. Shouldn’t you be planning your visit?
