The 27th Annual Ojai Film Festival has announced its 2026 program, bringing 74 films from more than 30 countries to Ojai, California. Scheduled from November 4 to 9, 2026, the six-day independent film event features special screenings, filmmaker conversations, and appearances by Martin Sheen, Jeff and Beau Bridges, and Melissa McCarthy.
Curated under the artistic direction of Hidden Figures director Ted Melfi, the festival offers an intimate setting for audiences and creators to connect. “Ojai Film Festival is put on by filmmakers for filmmakers and an army of volunteers who love cinema,” Melfi said. “We want to screen the best films of the year in an intimate setting where real conversation and connection can happen.”
Opening Night and Special Premieres Led by Martin Sheen
Martin Sheen will appear on November 4 at Libbey Bowl to host the world premiere of American Mosaic. Created for America’s 250th anniversary, the short musical documentary features photographer Joe Sohm’s images of all 50 states, an orchestral score by Peter Boyer, and narration by Sheen.
The official opening competition night on November 6 features the U.S. premiere of Everybody Digs Bill Evans. Directed by Grant Gee, the biographical drama won top honors at the Berlin International Film Festival. It stars Anders Danielsen Lie as jazz pianist Bill Evans, alongside Bill Pullman, Laurie Metcalf, and Barry Ward, following the artist through the ten days after his bassist’s sudden death.
Hollywood Icons Return: The Bridges Brothers and Melissa McCarthy
The six-day calendar includes major screenings and tribute events:
- Jeff & Beau Bridges: The brothers will reunite in person on November 5 at Libbey Bowl for a screening of the 1989 Oscar-nominated film The Fabulous Baker Boys, directed by Steve Kloves and co-starring Michelle Pfeiffer.
- Melissa McCarthy & Ben Falcone: The creative couple will receive the festival’s Artists of Distinction Award. They will join a live audience conversation following a 10th-anniversary screening of their 2016 comedy, The Boss.
Closing Night and Diverse Independent Film Slate
The festival concludes on November 8 with a screening of Rob Burnett’s dark satire In Memoriam. The film stars Marc Maron as an aging actor desperate to secure a spot in the Academy Awards’ annual tribute reel.
The lineup includes 20 narrative features and 11 documentaries, highlighting international works such as Asghar Farhadi’s Parallel Tales, Jay Duplass’s See You When I See You, Leah Nelson’s Tangles, and Paul Schrader’s The Basics of Philosophy.
Industry Panels and Festival Access
The 2026 program also features industry panels, including “Agenting in New Media” with dealmakers from UTA, CAA, and WME. Actor and director Ed Burns will host a discussion titled “The State of the Indie.”
Tickets and festival passes-including Two Pack, Four Pack, and All Access Film passes-are available through the official Ojai Film Festival website.
