CineFest Brings Independent Cinema from Southern California and Around the World to ArtWalk VenturaCineFest returns for its third year to downtown Ventura as part of ArtWalk Ventura 2026, bringing two days of independent film, emerging voices, filmmaker conversations and awards to the big screen at Downtown Century 10 on September 26–27.
Planned and programmed by an energetic group of young filmmakers, CineFest celebrates independent cinema with a diverse selection of local, national and international films, including award-winning work alongside films from emerging directors and new voices.
A point of particular pride is CineFest’s Youth Block, created to give young filmmakers something that can be difficult to find: the opportunity to see their work screened for a real audience in a professional movie theater.
“We want young filmmakers to know that their work matters and deserves to be seen,” said CineFest Director of Programming Ethan Messecar. “There is something incredibly powerful about watching a film you created come to life on a theater screen with an audience.”
Featured this year is an Experimental Film Block, showcasing filmmakers who push beyond traditional storytelling through innovative approaches to image, sound, structure and form.
Throughout the weekend, audiences will have opportunities to meet and hear from filmmakers during Q&A sessions, celebrate the award winners, and take part in the full cinema festival experience — including red carpet photos.
And unlike many pop-up cinema festivals, CineFest takes place in a full movie theater, with comfortable stadium seating, professional projection and sound, and concessions available throughout the weekend.
CineFest is part of ArtWalk Ventura, the Central Coast’s largest multidisciplinary arts festival, taking place September 26–27 throughout Downtown Ventura and the Westside. ArtWalk brings together visual art, music, dance, poetry, film, street painting, installations, demonstrations and activities for children in a free, community-wide celebration of the arts.
CineFest expands that celebration to the cinematic arts, creating a place where established filmmakers, emerging artists and the next generation of storytellers can share their work with Ventura audiences.
CineFest at ArtWalk Ventura
September 26–27, 2026
1-7 p.m. both days
Downtown Century 10
555 E. Main Street
Downtown Ventura, California 93001
Admission is free. Inquire at the box office for tickets.
ArtWalk Ventura: September 26, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. and September 27, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Event venue
Main Street and California Street, Ventura, CA, United States, California 93001
Tickets
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.