Marina del Rey Film Festival marks 15 years with 2026 run in Beverly Hills

The Marina del Rey Film Festival will celebrate its 15th anniversary from June 19-25, 2026, at Lumiere Cinema at the Music Hall in Beverly Hills. Organizers say submissions are open now on FilmFreeway as the festival brings back its independent-film showcase with two screens and an opening-night event to be announced.

Why it matters: - The Marina del Rey Film Festival is turning 15, marking a milestone for an independent-film event that has grown from a Los Angeles-area launch in 2012 into an international showcase. - The 2026 edition gives filmmakers another venue for screenings and screenplay submissions at a well-known arthouse theater in Beverly Hills.

What happened: - Marina del Rey Film Festival 2026 is scheduled for Friday, June 19 through Thursday, June 25, 2026. - The festival will take place at Lumiere Cinema at the Music Hall, 9036 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills, California 90211. - The venue will use two screens during the festival week. - Film and screenplay submissions are open on FilmFreeway. - The festival website is more information.

The details: - The Lumiere Cinema is described as an independent arthouse theater known for quality films in an intimate and elegant setting. - The festival will host an opening-night kick-off party, with details to be announced. - Jon Gursha founded the festival, and Peter Greene co-founded it. - Jon Gursha serves as festival director. - Peter Greene serves as program director. - Greene said the programming focuses on diverse films from local and international filmmakers. - Filmmakers from around the world are encouraged to submit films and screenplays on FilmFreeway. - The festival’s social accounts include Instagram, Facebook, and X.

Between the lines: - Moving the anniversary edition to Beverly Hills positions the festival in a high-profile venue while keeping its indie-film identity centered on curated screenings. - Two screens suggest organizers expect enough interest to support a broader lineup and more scheduling flexibility. - The combination of international submissions, screenplay entries and an opening-night event points to an effort to serve both filmmakers and industry attendees.

What’s next: - Organizers say the opening-night kick-off party will be announced later. - Filmmakers can continue submitting entries through FilmFreeway ahead of the June festival dates. - Additional event details are expected to be posted on the festival website and social channels.