New Orleans Film Festival 2026
The New Orleans Film Society recently announced Victory, a documentary about New Orleans music legend Irma Thomas, as the opening night film for the 2026 New Orleans Film Festival. The in-person festival will run from October 22-27 and the virtual festival will run from October 22 to November 1.
While many spotlight films will not be revealed until September 17, the festival announced a few other in-competition titles. Loves Company is a Misery-inspired dark comedy set in New Orleans starring SNL alum Rachel Dratch and local acting luminary and Mad Men alum Bryan Batt.
Scrim will have its world premiere at the festival. The documentary tells the wild story of the New Orleans rescue dog and escape artist who captivated public attention.
Some Kind of Refuge is a documentary that premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and offers an intimate look at the unique community living along the Mississippi River's batture.
These titles are just a small sampling of 175 films that will screen in-person at venues across the city.
"Last year's New Orleans Film Festival was the biggest in our history, and rather than slowing down, we used that momentum to dream even bigger," said Dodd Loomis, executive director of the New Orleans Film Society. "This year's lineup celebrates the full spectrum of cinema, from remarkable Louisiana filmmakers and emerging new Southern talent to some of the year's most anticipated films featuring internationally acclaimed artists like Dame Helen Mirren and John Malkovich."
Festival goers can buy an All Access Pass and Unlimited Film Package online at neworleansfilmsociety.org. Individual tickets will go on sale to NOFS members on September 21 and the general public on September 24 at the film society's website. Film society remembers receive $50 off All Access Passes, $3 off in-person screening tickets, and $2 off virtual cinema tickets.
Screenings will take place at the
Prytania Uptown, the Historic New Orleans Collection, the Broad Theater, the
CIVIC Theater, and the Contemporary Arts Center, which will also serve as the
festival hub.
