Film Festival 2026
How to Fest
WAYS TO ATTEND:
Tickets
General Admission Tickets
Tickets are sold per screening.
You can find pricing on our Tickets page.
🎟 Tickets are a great option if you:
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Are only planning to attend a few screenings
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Have limited time in your schedule
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Want to get a feel for the festival before diving in
PSIFS Members: Don’t forget to sign in to receive your discounted ticket pricing!
How to attend with a ticket
Bring your valid ticket with you to the theatre, whether you received it at a box office, printed it at home, or have it on your mobile device
- Lines begin forming 30-45min before showtime, outside of the theater.
- Enter the "Ticket Holder" line for the specific film you have a ticket(s) for
- Seating is not guaranteed, if you are not in your seat 15 minutes prior to show time
- Upon entering the theater, please have your ticket ready to be scanned
- Hold on to your ticket and/or stub for re-entry (accompanied by a re-admit slip)
- If you need to leave the theater at any time after you are seated, you MUST get a re-admit slip. You will not be admitted back into the screening without presenting your ticket stub AND re-admit slip
Passes
Festival Passes
Passes are the best way to experience PSIFF! Even with the most basic pass, you’ll enjoy unlimited access to regular screenings, Talking Pictures, BIFF Panels, and Family Day events. Premium passes offer all that — and more.
✅ Passes are perfect if you:
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Plan to see lots of films and want the best value
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Prefer the freedom of flexible access
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Want to skip ticketing and dive right into the festival atmosphere
🎟 No individual tickets or advance reservations needed — just scan your pass, join the line, and let the festival begin!*
*Concierge Pass requires reservations; Premium passes offer expedited entry.
How to attend with a Pass?
HOW TO NAVIGATE WITH YOUR BENEFACTOR or PREMIERE PASS
- Wear your pass at all times throughout the festival, entry will not be granted without it.
- You do not need a ticket or wait in the pass holder line at screenings, simply show your pass at the entrance of each screening and you will be directed inside.
- You must be in your seat no later than 15 minutes before the screening begins, after this time seating is not guaranteed. No late seating.
- A designated section in each theater is reserved for Benefactor & Premiere pass holders. Reserved seating will have yellow signs that read, ‘Reserved for Benefactor or Premiere pass holders.’ If you do not wish to sit in the location of these seats, feel free to sit in any open unreserved seat. Volunteers are stationed outside and inside each theater to help you find a reserved seat.
- If you are accompanied by anyone with a ticket or non-reserved section pass, they must wait in the designated lines for entry into screenings
- Bearing a ticket or pass to the Palm Springs International Film Festival signifies agreement to all terms and conditions.
HOW TO NAVIGATE WITH A CONCIERGE PASS
- Kindly ensure you secure your seat by contacting the Concierge Team at Concierge@psfilmfest.org at least 24 hours prior to the event.
- Check-in at the Concierge table, which will have teal signage. If no one is present, please be patient, someone will be with you soon.
- For any film you have reserved, you will not have to stand in line, but may not enter the auditorium until Theater Managers are ready to seat the house.
- Volunteers will advise you of your seat assignment, and auditorium # (if applicable), and may escort you into the theater.
- Have your pass ready to be scanned. All passes will be scanned prior to entering the auditorium.
- If you have to leave the auditorium for any reason after being scanned and plan to return, you MUST get a re-entry. Provide this re-entry slip to the volunteer for re-entry.
- Bearing a ticket or pass to the Palm Springs International Film Festival signifies agreement to all terms and conditions.
HOW TO NAVIGATE WITH A PLATINUM, 5-DAY A OR B, SPONSOR, GUEST, INDUSTRY, MEDIA, OR STUDENT PASS
- Wear your pass at all times during the festival; entry is not allowed without it.
- ALL passes allow entry for the pass holder only
- Enter the "Passholder" line for the film you wish to see.
- It is recommended you arrive 30-45 minutes prior to show time. Lines begin forming outside of the theater, no earlier than 1 hour before showtime. *There is a pass holder seat allotment and seating is not guaranteed.
- Queue cards* will be given out until the pass allotment is reached
- Have your queue card and pass ready for scanning. All passes will be scanned before entering the auditorium.
- If you leave the auditorium after being scanned, you MUST obtain a re-entry slip from a volunteer for re-entry. You will be asked for your re-entry slip and to show your pass for re-entry.
- Bearing a ticket or pass to the Palm Springs International Film Festival signifies agreement to all terms and conditions.
Festival Venues
From locally owned movie theaters, to historical landmarks and education institutions. Our International Film Festival spans all across the greater Palm Springs area and Coachella Valley.
Checkout our list of venues!
Festival Events
Our festival events offer much more than just film screenings. From engaging Talking Pictures presentations with filmmakers and actors to delectable film-inspired dinners that merge the worlds of food and film, you'll have the opportunity to indulge all your senses.
Join us for the glamorous Opening and Closing Night festivities, and don't miss the highlight of our festival, the star-studded Film Awards.
Transportation and Directions
From veteran Film Festival attendees to rookies, everyone can get lost and turned around sometimes. Check out our Getting Around page for some helpful information about where our venues are and local transportation services that can help you get there.
Where to Stay
Experience the allure of Palm Springs by staying with one of our travel partners featured here. Immerse yourself in the vibrant culture, iconic mid-century architecture, and breathtaking desert landscapes while enjoying luxurious accommodations for an unforgettable escape.
More information Here
Where to Play
Discover the thrilling side of Palm Springs, where adventure meets relaxation. From scenic hikes and golf courses to vibrant galleries and entertainment venues, our curated selection of activities invites you to dive into the best of what this desert playground has to offer. Get ready to play!
Where to Eat
Explore the local flavors and embrace the spirited atmosphere that defines Palm Springs – a perfect blend of culinary delights and stylish cocktail retreats awaits you. Cheers to a memorable dining and drinking experience in the heart of this iconic desert oasis!
ABOUT OUR FESTIVAL
Launched in 1990, the Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF) is a premier presenter of world cinema located in the beautiful Coachella Valley at the base of Mt. San Jacinto in southern California. The Festival brings together a sophisticated and diverse audience, including industry, film aficionados from across the country and filmmakers from around the world.
The 36th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival is scheduled to be held physically from January 2 - 12, 2026. The annual star-studded Film Awards, honoring the best and brightest performances of the year, is scheduled for January 3, 2026.
PSIFF is mounted by the Palm Springs International Film Society, a 501(c)(3) charitable non-profit organization, whose mission is to cultivate and promote the art and science of film through education and cross-cultural awareness.