By Teri Kinne
Los Angeles, CA (The Hollywood Times) 2/26/26 – The filmmaker-founded festival that has long championed bold, first-time voices is back in Los Angeles for its second year in the city, running February 19–25, 2026. For Angelenos invested in the deeper currents of this city’s arts culture, beyond red carpets and studio launches, this fest return is a celebration.
Founded in 1995 by a group of filmmakers whose work was not accepted into the Sundance Film Festival, including Dan Mirvish and Jon Fitzgerald, Slamdance built its reputation on discovery. Rather than leave Park City, they organized their own screenings to showcase their films, an act of self-determination that became the foundation of the festival’s filmmaker-run identity and enduring focus on emerging voices.
Over the years, organizers and programmers have maintained a filmmaker-first structure that continues to define the festival’s tone.
Its alumni include artists who went on to redefine independent cinema, and its programming continues to prioritize emerging directors working outside the studio system. The 2026 lineup promises world premieres, boundary-pushing documentaries, and narrative features that reflect the complicated global moment we are living.
Says alumn Christopher Nolin, “I’ve made other films since, but Slamdance was exactly the right place to start.”
What makes Slamdance distinctive is its structure. The festival is programmed by filmmakers, for filmmakers. That peer-review ethos often results in riskier selections and more intimate post-screening conversations. In a city saturated with red carpets and awards campaigns, that proximity feels intentional.
Beyond in-person screenings, Slamdance continues to expand access through the Slamdance Channel, offering a curated digital extension of its programming and filmmaker community.
Los Angeles now enters its second year hosting the festival, embracing Slamdance’s fiercely independent spirit and preserving its edge.
More coverage from The Hollywood Times will follow once screenings begin.
Festival Dates: February 19–25, 2026
Location: Landmark Sunset Boulevard Theater, Los Angeles, CA
Festival passes are sold out but virtual passes are available here. Tickets are available for individual showings here.
