As part of our 2026 Guide to the Arts in PRIME Magazine, entertainment writer Phillip Valys offers his Critic’s Picks for the best film festivals coming up in South Florida. Want to see the full Guide? Go to SunSentinel.com/prime.
OUTshine LGBTQ+ Film Festival
Oct. 15-25 at multiple Broward and Miami-Dade county venues including Paradigm Cinemas: Gateway Fort Lauderdale, Regal Dania Pointe in Dania Beach and Silverspot Cinema in Miami; and Oct. 26-Nov. 1 for OUTshine At Home virtual festival. 877-766-8156, OUTshineFilm.com
The 28th edition of genre-bending, stereotype-smashing indie films, documentaries and rowdy after-parties is still firming up its movie lineup as of this writing. But based on the last OUTshine event earlier this year, we’re in for a strong fall program. The spring edition featured screenings of “The Dinner (La cena),” an acclaimed comedy-drama about a young lieutenant who arranges a banquet for generals after the end of the Spanish Civil War; and “Rock Out,” an excavation of the queer roots of rock, metal and punk featuring talking-head interviews with Roger Daltrey, Dolly Parton and Danny Fields. As usual, OUTshine plans to split its fall festivities between Fort Lauderdale and Miami venues with panel discussions, parties and in-person screenings.
OUTshine LGBTQ+ Film Festival / Courtesy
A still from the 2025 comedy “The Dinner (La cena),” one of the standout films that screened during the spring edition of the OUTshine LGBTQ+ Film Festival. (OUTshine LGBTQ+ Film Festival/Courtesy)
GEMS 2026
Oct. 29-Nov. 5 at Miami Dade College’s Tower Theater Miami, 305-237-3456, MiamiFilmFestival.com
Last year’s aptly named GEMS screened “Hamnet,” “Sentimental Value” and “The Secret Agent” before their theatrical distribution — and long before they earned 2026 Oscar Best Picture nods. That makes this mini offshoot of the much-larger Miami Film Festival (whose 44th outing returns April 1-11, 2027) prestigious on its own, full of buzzy awards-season heavyweights and indie sleepers drawing early acclaim on film-festival circuits. As usual, this year’s schedule is TBA, but visitors can expect appearances from filmmakers, seminars and post-screening parties. (And if nothing else, going to GEMS should give you an early edge on your next Oscar office betting pool.)
Miami Jewish Film Festival
Jan. 13-28, 2027, at multiple locations in Miami-Dade County, 305-573-7304, MiamiJewishFilmFestival.org
Arguably the most powerful moment at this year’s bash happened just after the credits rolled on “A Letter to David,” writer-director Tom Shoval’s chilling documentary about actor David Cunio and brother Ariel, two of the last Israeli hostages freed by Hamas after the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks. The Cunios, in attendance at their first film festival after 738 days in captivity, got a lengthy standing ovation from a sold-out crowd that included Steven Spielberg’s sister, Nancy. Such events make this festival, which had 45 sold-out premieres and a record-breaking 58,500 in-theater and virtual attendees, appointment viewing in South Florida. MJFF’s 2027 event, marking its 30th anniversary, is poised to deliver another round of memorable moments.
Miami Jewish Film Festival / Courtesy
Returning in January, the Miami Jewish Film Festival will mark its 30th anniversary. (Miami Jewish Film Festival/Courtesy)
Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival
Feb. 19-27, 2027, at Savor Cinema in Fort Lauderdale, Cinema Paradiso Hollywood and other Broward County venues, 954-525-3456, FLIFF.com
This long-running bash had its landmark 40th anniversary last February by leaning into, as FLIFF typically does, a frenzy of stars: Chevy Chase, Jamie Kennedy and Guy Harvey all made appearances. Yet keen-eyed fanatics may have noticed stark differences this time around. It was the first FLIFF in more than 30 years not to be curated by ex-president and CEO Gregory Von Hausch; had a shorter run of 50 feature-length flicks; and was bumped from November to February to avoid competition with the boat show and elections. All this to say: FLIFF will be leaner and meaner come next February with 100 expected high-profile films, documentaries, shorts, plus another bevy of celebrities, we’re sure.
Michele Eve Sandberg/Contributor
Chevy Chase attends a Q&A after a screening of his movie “I’m Chevy Chase and You’re Not” during the 40th annual Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival at Savor Cinema in Fort Lauderdale on Feb. 26, 2026. (Michele Eve Sandberg/Contributor)
Popcorn Frights Film Festival
August 2027 at Savor Cinema in Fort Lauderdale and Cinema Paradiso Hollywood, PopcornFrights.com
In case you haven’t heard the screams (of delight) from Hollywood execs, horror’s having a box-office moment, between “Weapons” and “Sinners” last year to the low-budget bonanza of “Obsession” and “Backrooms” this spring. Which is something the scare-peddlers behind Popcorn Frights, Igor Shteyrenberg and Marc Ferman, have been trying to teach us for years: Horror deserves its place in the sun. Their two-week film festival will return to the dead heat of summer with another bloody showcase of Florida-grown indies and nostalgia classics. Last August’s frightfest had appearances from actors Stephen Lang and Michael Ironside; sold-out advance screenings of “The End of Oak Street” (Ewan McGregor, Anne Hathaway) two days before its theatrical release; and a live shadowcast of “Little Shop of Horrors,” where costumed performers acted out the film with props as the classic played in the background. Can’t wait until next August? The festival is plotting a Nightmare Weekend trove of screenings this Halloween.
Popcorn Frights Film Festival / Courtesy
The Popcorn Frights Film Festival will return for its next edition in August 2027. (Popcorn Frights Film Festival / Courtesy)