Fest to open with \u201cThe Debut\u201d and close with \u201cClub Kid\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cLa Bola Negra\u201d directors Javier Calvo & Javier Ambrossi & star Guitarricadelafuente to receive the Variety Virtuoso Award; John Turturro to receive Variety Creative Vanguard Award\u00a0<\/p>\n
Festival also set to honor Kyle MacLachlan, John Cameron Mitchell, and \u201cMouse\u201d directors Kelly O\u2019Sullivan & Alex Thompson<\/p>\n
Miami, FL (Oct. 8, 2026) Miami Dade College\u2019s (MDC) renowned Miami Film Festival (MFF) today unveiled the lineup for its 13th Miami Film Festival GEMS, the Festival\u2019s fall midseason event taking place from Oct. 29-Nov. 5, 2026. GEMS will open with A24\u2019s \u201cThe Debut\u201d from writer-director Jesse Eisenberg and close with A24\u2019s \u201cClub Kid\u201d from director and star Jordan Firstman.<\/p>\n
The Festival will open on Thursday, October 29 with A24\u2019s \u201cThe Debut,\u201d written and directed by two-time Academy Award nominee Jesse Eisenberg. Julianne Moore stars as Mona Friedman, a shy, unassuming housewife who is cast in a bit part at a small community theater and becomes a zealous method actor, ready to wage war on the show\u2019s domineering director (Paul Giamatti) to protect the artistic integrity of her role. The musical comedy also stars Halle Bailey, Eisenberg and Bernadette Peters, with music and lyrics by Eisenberg.<\/p>\n
Closing out the Festival on Thursday, November 5 is A24\u2019s \u201cClub Kid,\u201d written and directed by Jordan Firstman in his feature directorial debut. Firstman stars as Peter, a hard-partying New York City club promoter whose whirlwind lifestyle is upended by the arrival of the 10-year-old son he never knew he had. The film, which premiered in Un Certain Regard at the Cannes Film Festival, also stars Cara Delevingne, Diego Calva and Kirby Howell-Baptiste.<\/p>\n
Centerpiece titles include \u201cBeing Heumann\u201d, \u201cBehemoth!\u201d, \u201cBunker\u201d, \u201cElsinore\u201d, \u201cPaper Tiger\u201d, and \u201cWild Horse Nine\u201d. The festival also places a focus on international submissions to the Academy Awards, and will feature submitted titles such as Ryusuke Hamaguchi\u2019s \u201cAll of a Sudden\u201d, Lukas Dhont\u2019s \u201cCoward\u201d, and Andrey Zvyagintsev\u2019s \u201cMinotaur\u201d.<\/p>\n
Additional programming highlights include a special screening of \u201cLa Bola Negra\u201d at the festival. At a separate event, directors Javier Calvo & Javier Ambrossi will be joined by the film\u2019s star, Guitarricadelafuente, to receive the Variety Virtuoso Award. They will participate in an extended conversation moderated by Variety co-editor-in-chief Ramin Setoodeh.<\/p>\n
Variety will also honor actor John Turturro with the Variety Creative Vanguard Award during the festival. The award will be presented as part of a moderated conversation about his illustrious career and his latest film, \u201cThe Only Living Pickpocket in New York\u201d, hosted by Setoodeh. SPC\u2019s \u201cThe Only Living Pickpocket in New York\u201d will also screen at the festival.<\/p>\n
Additionally, \u201cMouse,\u201d from directors Kelly O\u2019Sullivan and Alex Thompson, will screen as part of the lineup, with the filmmakers receiving the Festival\u2019s Art of Light Award. The film premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival and comes from the filmmakers behind \u201cGhostlight.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kyle MacLachlan will receive the Precious Gem Award at a special event in partnership with Books & Books in Miami to honor the release of his debut memoir \u201cFictional Self\u201d. MacLachlan is recognized for roles in \u201cBlue Velvet,\u201d \u201cDune\u201d and \u201cTwin Peaks,\u201d as well as \u201cSex and the City\u201d and \u201cDesperate Housewives.\u201d<\/p>\n
In honor of the 25th anniversary of \u201cHedwig and the Angry Inch,\u201d the Festival will host a special retrospective screening of the cult-favorite rock musical, followed by Impact Award presentation and Q&A with writer, director and star John Cameron Mitchell.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe 13th edition of GEMS further solidifies the festival as a major awards season stop, bringing together some of the most anticipated films of the year alongside a curated collection of discoveries from around the world,\u201d said Lauren Cohen, Director of Programming. \u201cWith 50 titles, this is the largest GEMS line-up yet. To be able to celebrate the work of incredible storytellers such as Danny Boyle, Martin McDonagh, James Gray, Pedro Almodovar, Ryusuke Hamaguchi, Hirokazu Kore-eda, Mike Leigh, Si\u00e2n Heder, and Brad Bird all in one lineup captures the richness and resonance of world cinema today. \u201c<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAudiences can expect GEMS 2026 to be one of our most memorable editions yet,\u201d said James Woolley, Executive Director of the Festival. \u201cAs we continue to cement our place on the fall awards circuit, we are beyond thrilled to honor actor Kyle MacLachlan, filmmaker John Cameron Mitchell and Los Javis\u00a0 for their incredible contributions to the entertainment industry.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Centerpiece films include:<\/p>\n
\u201cBeing Heumann\u201d \u2013 from Academy Award-winning director Si\u00e2n Heder, who co-wrote the screenplay with Rebekah Taussig, is based on the memoir by disability rights activist Judy Heumann. The film tells the story of the 1977 takeover of the San Francisco Federal Building, when Heumann (Ruth Madeley) and a coalition of disabled activists refused to leave until the government enforced Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, in what became the longest occupation of a federal building in American history. Mark Ruffalo stars as Joseph Califano, the government official standing in their way, and Dylan O\u2019Brien also stars.
\n\u201cBehemoth!\u201d \u2013 From Academy Award-nominated writer-director Tony Gilroy follows Alex Serian (Pedro Pascal), a gifted cellist who returns home to Los Angeles after 20 years on the road, as the music that has defined his life carries him toward a journey that will change him forever. The film also stars Olivia Wilde, Eva Victor, Will Arnett and Hank Azaria.
\n\u201cBunker\u201d \u2013 From director Florian Zeller (\u201cThe Father,\u201d \u201cThe Son\u201d) Bunker centers on an architect who takes a morally ambiguous job building a survivalist bunker for a tech billionaire, while his wife begins to question their marriage of 17 years. The psychological thriller stars Javier Bardem and Pen\u00e9lope Cruz.
\n\u201cElsinore\u201d \u2013 From director Simon Stone (\u201cThe Dig\u201d) and writer Stephen Beresford (\u201cPride\u201d) tells the true story of actor Ian Charleson (Andrew Scott), who in 1989 stepped into the role of Hamlet at London\u2019s National Theatre while privately battling AIDS, in a performance that became the triumph of his career. The film also stars Olivia Colman, Billie Piper and Johnny Flynn.
\n\u201cPaper Tiger\u201d \u2013 Follows two brothers (Adam Driver and Miles Teller) chasing the American dream in late-1980s New York, who become entangled in a scheme that is too good to be true and find themselves in the dangerous world of the Russian mafia, where family bonds begin to fray. Directed by James Gray, Scarlett Johansson also stars in the film.
\n\u201cWild Horse Nine\u201d \u2013 From Academy Award-winning writer-director Martin McDonagh is set shortly before the 1973 Chilean coup, when CIA agents Chris (John Malkovich) and Lee (Sam Rockwell) are dispatched by their bureau chief (Steve Buscemi) from Santiago to Easter Island, where Chris\u2019s bond with a pair of rebellious students threatens to send the trip sideways. The black comedy also stars Mariana di Girolamo and Ail\u00edn Salas with Tom Waits and Parker Posey.<\/p>\n
Two more anniversary screenings round out the program. The Festival will host a special 20th anniversary screening of Sofia Coppola\u2019s \u201cMarie Antoinette\u201d at Vizcaya Museum & Gardens, one of Miami\u2019s most iconic estates. The Festival will also present a 10th anniversary screening of Anna Biller\u2019s \u201cThe Love Witch\u201d in 35mm on Halloween.<\/p>\n
The festival will also host two Preview Night screenings before the festival dates. First will be Fjord directed by Cristian Mungiu, which will play on October 14 at Silverspot Cinema. Winner of the Palme d\u2019Or at this year\u2019s Cannes Film Festival, the film stars Sebastian Stan and Renate Reinsve. The second Preview Night title is Sundance hit Wicker directed by Alex Huston Fischer & Eleanor Wilson on October 20. The film stars Alexander Skarsg\u00e5rd, Olivia Colman, Elizabeth Debicki, Peter Dinklage & Richard E. Grant.<\/p>\n
The complete list of films screening at the 2026 GEMS Festival include:<\/p>\n
\u201cAll of a Sudden\u201d (Director Ryusuke Hamaguchi)
\n\u201cBedford Park\u201d (Director Stephanie Ahn)
\n\u201cBeing Heumann\u201d (Director Si\u00e2n Heder)
\n\u201cBehemoth!\u201d (Director Tony Gilroy)
\n\u201cBitter Christmas\u201d (Director Pedro Almodovar)
\n\u201cBunker\u201d (Director Florian Zeller)
\n\u201cBurgundy\u201d (Directors Michael Dweck, Gregory Kershaw)
\n\u201cCampe\u00f3n Gabacho\u201d (Director Jon\u00e1s Cuar\u00f3n)
\n\u201cClarissa\u201d (Directors Arie Esiri and Chuko Esiri)
\n\u201cClub Kid\u201d (Director Jordan Firstman)
\n\u201cCoward\u201d (Director Lukas Dhont)
\n\u201cElsinore\u201d (Director Simon Stone)
\n\u201cEverytime\u201d (Director Sandra Wollner)
\n\u201cFirst Light\u201d (Director James J. Robinson)
\n\u201cFjord\u201d (Director Cristian Mungiu)
\n\u201cHedwig and the Angry Inch\u201d (Director John Cameron Mitchell)
\n\u201cI Play Rocky\u201d (Director Peter Farrelly)
\n\u201cIron Boy\u201d (Director Louis Clichy)
\n\u201cInk\u201d (Director Danny Boyle)
\n\u201cJosephine\u201d (Director Beth de Ara\u00fajo)
\n\u201cLa Bola Negra\u201d (Directors Javier Calvo & Javier Ambrossi)
\n\u201cLa Gradiva\u201d (Director Marine Atlan)
\n\u201cLook Back\u201d (Director Hirokazu Kore-eda)
\n\u201cMarie Antoinette\u201d (Director Sofia Coppola)
\n\u201cMinotaur\u201d (Director Andrey Zvyagintsev)
\n\u201cMouse (Directors Kelly O\u2019Sullivan & Alex Thompson)
\n\u201cPaper Tiger\u201d (Director James Gray)
\n\u201cQueen at Sea\u201d (Director Lance Hammer)
\n\u201cRay Gunn\u201d (Director Brad Bird)
\n\u201cRehearsals for a Revolution\u201d (Director Pegah Ahangarani)
\n\u201cRisa and the Wind Phone\u201d (Director Juan Cabral)
\n\u201cRiver\u201d (Director Joshua Giuliano)
\n\u201cRose\u201d (Director Markus Schleinzer)
\n\u201cSad Girlz\u201d (Director Fernanda Tovar)
\n\u201cSummer of Three\u201d (Director Carlitos Ruiz-Ruiz)
\n\u201cTangles\u201d (Director Leah Nelson)
\n\u201cTender Loving Care\u201d (Director Mike Leigh)
\n\u201cThe Beloved\u201d (Director Rodrigo Sorogoyen)
\n\u201cThe Debut\u201d (Director Jesse Eisenberg)
\n\u201cThe Gallerist\u201d (Director Cathy Yan)
\n\u201cThe Huntress\u201d (Director Suzanne Andrews Correa)
\n\u201cThe Liberation\u201d (Director Guy Nattiv)
\n\u201cThe Life & Deaths of Wilson Shedd\u201d (Director Tim Blake Nelson)
\n\u201cThe Love Witch\u201d (Director Anna Biller)
\n\u201cThe Only Living Pickpocket in New York\u201d (Director Noah Segan)
\n\u201cTime Warp\u201d (Director Allison Berg)
\n\u201cWicker\u201d (Director Alex Huston Fischer & Eleanor Wilson)
\n\u201cWild Horse Nine\u201d (Director Martin McDonagh)
\n\u201cYellow Letters\u201d (Director Ilker Catak)<\/p>\n
About Miami Dade College\u2019s Miami Film Festival<\/p>\n
Miami Dade College celebrates cinema in two annual events, Miami Dade College\u2019s Miami Film Festival GEMS (October 29-November 5, 2026) and Miami Film Festival (44th annual edition, April 1-11, 2027). The Miami Film Festival is considered the preeminent film festival for showcasing Ibero-American cinema in the U.S., and a major launch pad for all international and documentary cinema. The annual Festival welcomes more than 45,000 audience members and more than 400 filmmakers, producers, talent and industry professionals. In the last five years, the Festival has screened films from more than 60 countries, including 300 World, International, North American, U.S. and East Coast Premieres. The Festival also offers unparalleled educational opportunities to film students and the community at large. For more information, visit http:\/\/www.miamifilmfestival.com\/<\/a> or call 305-237-FILM (3456).<\/p>\n Funding Support<\/p>\n With the support of the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners.<\/p>\n Sponsored in part by the State of Florida through the Division of Arts and Culture and the National Endowment for the Arts.<\/p>\n With support from the Miami Downtown Development Authority.<\/p>\n With the support of the City of Miami Beach Cultural Affairs Program, Cultural Arts Council, and the Miami Beach Mayor and City Commissioners.<\/p>\n John S. and James L. Knight Foundation supports Miami Dade College\u2019s Department of Cultural Affairs through its comprehensive digital transformation initiative.<\/p>\n Miami Film Festival Media Relations Contacts:<\/p>\n NEW YORK \/ LOS ANGELES \/ TRADE:<\/p>\n Steven Wilson, Scenario Communications | (310) 497-4951 | steven.wilson@scenariopr.com<\/p>\n Kylie Elliot, Scenario Communications | (818) 224-0839 | kylie.elliot@scenariopr.com<\/p>\n MIAMI:<\/p>\n Debbie Ramirez, Pinzur Communications | (786) 877-2295 | Debbie@pinzurpr.com<\/p>\n Rachel Pinzur, Pinzur Communications | (305) 725-2875 | Rachel@PinzurPR.com<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Fest to open with \u201cThe Debut\u201d and close with \u201cClub Kid\u201d\u00a0 \u201cLa Bola Negra\u201d directors Javier Calvo &…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":422588,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[225,227,226],"class_list":["post-422587","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-hialeah","tag-hialeah","tag-hialeah-headlines","tag-hialeah-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/422587","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=422587"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/422587\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/422588"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=422587"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=422587"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=422587"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}