Healdsburg International Short Film Festival 2026
Dates:
September 25 -27
Times:
Friday: 6:00 pm to 10:30 pm
Saturday: 1:00 pm to 10:30 pm
Sunday: 1:00 pm to 10:30 pm
Price:
Adults:$20 per screening block (multiple films per block)
Students: $10 per screening block (multiple films per block)
Saturday 7:30 PM Student Film Block: All seats $10
Special festival access passes: $75-$150
Each autumn, independent filmmakers travel from across the globe to bring their stories to Healdsburg, and you can be a vital part of their journey by hosting a traveling filmmaker. See the HISFF page for details.
Doors open 30 minutes before each event.
Accessibility and the surrounding area:
Set in the heart of California wine country, the highly anticipated Healdsburg International Short Film Festival (HISFF) returns this September for its 5th year, promising another weekend of unforgettable cinema, parties, and a red carpet opening night. This three-day festival runs from September 25th through September 27th. Organized in collaboration with the Healdsburg Center for the Arts (HCA), HISFF 2026 coincides with HCA’s Festival of the Arts, creating a vibrant, art-filled weekend. Watch the official HISFF trailer from last year (2026 coming soon)!
Our panel of notable judges from the entertainment industry makes the HISFF an attraction for new and veteran filmmakers alike — people like Ed Begley, Jr., Laraine Newman, Billy Ray, Tom Waits, and so many more. Several judges are attending the festival this year, including writer Billy Ray (The Hunger Games and the soon-to-be released The Hunger Games: Sunrise On the Reaping ), who will make a book-signing appearance at the Raven on Saturday, September 26th (Time TBD). Read about the judges on the Raven’s festival webpage.
HISFF 2026 kicks off with an Opening Night Soirée, a lively red-carpet arrival and photo op at the Raven, and an exquisite collection of mixed genre short films. Festivities continue with multiple screening sessions, a Saturday night party at The Rooftop at the Harmon Guest House, and a filmmaker breakfast, culminating in an awards ceremony on Sunday night with awards presented by actors Ed Begley Jr. and Jeff Kober.
Scroll down to see the schedule for the 2026 Healdsburg International Short Film Festival. To see schedules for individual screening blocks, click on the “Film Schedule” buttons below and scroll down the page to the appropriate time block.
Visit our booth at the Healdsburg Festival of the Arts
on Saturday, September 26th, from 10 am to 6 pm
on Center Street in front of HCA. The street will be lined with booths
featuring fine arts, crafts, jewelry, poetry, live music, food trucks, and more!
Copperfield’s is organizing a free-admission book-signing event with screenwriter (and festival jurist) Billy Ray
at the Raven from 11:30 am to 12 pm, also on Saturday, September 26th. Books will be available for purchase and signing,
but it’s best to order your copy ahead of time from Copperfield’s.
All Access Pass: $175
- Red-Carpet arrival and photo op begins at 6 pm at the Raven.
- Opening Night Kick-Off Screening Block, 7:00 pm.
- Opening Night Kick-Off Soirée, 8:30 pm at Portalupi Wines.
- Saturday Night Sweet & Uncorked Social at the beautiful Harmon House Rooftop, 8:15 pm.
- Every screening session including the filmmaker Q&A sessions.
Festival Pass: $100
- Every screening block including the filmmaker Q&A sessions!
- Narrative films, animation, documentary, Cine Latine, Women in Film Screening, & Emerging Voices Showcase.
Saturday All-Access Pass: $100
- Every screening block on Saturday, including the filmmaker Q&A sessions!
- Narrative films, animation, documentary, Women in Film Screening, & Emerging Voices Showcase.
- Saturday Night Sweet & Uncorked Social at the beautiful Harmon House Rooftop, 8:15 pm.
Kick-Off Soirée and Screening: $75
Friday, September 25, 6:00 PM
- Red-Carpet arrival and photo op begins at 6 pm at the Raven.
- Opening Night Kick-Off Screening Block, 7 pm.
- Filmmaker Q&A session, following the screening.
- Friday Night Kick-Off Soirée, 8:30 PM at Portalupi Wines.
Kick-Off Screening Block: $10 Student/$20 Adult
Friday, September 25, 7:00 PM
- Red-Carpet arrival and photo op begins at 6 pm at the Raven.
- Opening Night Kick-Off Screening Block, 7 pm at the Raven.
- Filmmaker Q&A session, following the screening.
Mixed Genre: $10 Student/$20 Adult
Saturday, September 26, 1 PM
- A collection of outstanding films across different genres.
- Filmmaker Q&A session, following the screening.
- May not be appropriate for all ages.
Mixed Genre: $10 Student/$20 Adult
Saturday, September 26, 3 PM
- Exceptional collection of films with a variety of styles and tones,
from poetic visualizations to informative, eye-opening cinema. - Filmmaker Q&A session, following the screening.
- May not be appropriate for all ages.
Women in Film: $10 Student/$20 Adult
Saturday, September 26, 5:00 PM
- This remarkable collection shines the spotlight on a cross-section of of women filmmakers from all over the world.
- Filmmaker Q&A session, following the screening.
- May not be appropriate for all ages.
Emerging Voices: Student Film Showcase: $10
Saturday, September 26, 7:30 PM
- Mixed genre student films.
- Filmmaker Q&A session, following the screening.
- May not be suitable for all ages. Suggested 13+.
Sweet & Uncorked Social: $50
Saturday, September 26, 8:15 PM
- Local wine & desserts.
- Enjoy good company with filmmakers, judges, and HISFF All-Access Pass holders.
- Location is The Rooftop of Harmon Guest House, one of Healdsburg’s most stylish hotspots.
Documentary: $10 Student/$20 Adult
Sunday, September 27, 1 PM
- Exceptional collection of films with a variety of styles and tones,
from poetic visualizations to informative, eye-opening cinema. - Filmmaker Q&A session, following the screening.
- May not be appropriate for all ages.
Cine Latine: $10 Student/$20 Adult
Sunday, September 27, 3 PM
- A collection of outstanding films from Latino filmmakers across different genres. Some films in Spanish with English subtitles.
- Filmmaker Q&A session, following the screening.
- May not be appropriate for all ages.
Finale Screening & Awards Presentation: $10 Student/$20 Adult
Sunday, September 27, 5 PM
- A captivating selection of mixed-genre short films.
- Closing awards ceremony with actors Ed Begley Jr. and Jeff Kober, celebrating the standout films and filmmakers of the weekend.
- Q&A session with Jeff Begley Jr. and Jeff Kober follows awards.
- May not be appropriate for all ages.
Show Dates
- Healdsburg International Short Film Festival 2026: September 25, 2026 (Friday)
6:00 PM – 10:30 PM - Healdsburg International Short Film Festival 2026: September 26, 2026 (Saturday)
1:00 PM – 5:30 PM - Healdsburg International Short Film Festival 2026: September 27, 2026 (Sunday)
1:00 PM – 5:30 PM