The Yucca Valley Film Festival has selected 52 films for its 2026 edition, following a record breaking year that brought in more than 600 submissions from 34 countries.
Alongside the 52 films selected for the festival, YVFF has also selected 23 scripts for official competition, giving screenwriters a platform to showcase their work and connect with the independent film community.
Now in its eighth year, the festival continues to grow while staying true to its roots: bringing independent film, artists and audiences together in the Hi-Desert.
The official selection features a wide range of genres, the most represented being short films, documentaries and music videos. This year’s Kids Program will also bring seven gems of films for younger audiences and families to discover.
There is plenty of local talent in the lineup, too. A record 21 local artists have been selected for the official competition, alongside 12 returning filmmakers who are coming back to Yucca Valley after previous participations of the festival.
The program also celebrates the Desert itself, with a large selection of short films, feature films and documentaries shot locally in Yucca Valley, Joshua Tree, Landers and across the Mojave Desert.
Thanks to the Town of Yucca Valley, our main sponsor, every event at the Community Center is free to attend. The festival is designed to be accessible to everyone, whether you come for one screening, spend the day discovering films, or join us for the full weekend.
Filmmakers attending the festival will also have a dedicated green room, and on Friday and Saturday, media opportunities will be available through the State Farm Red Carpet Interview Booth, sponsored by our local State Farm agent Marianne Fenley and Yucca Valley TV.
Join us November 6 to 8, 2026, for three days of films, filmmakers and community in Yucca Valley.