Gemma Chan, Mason Reeves and Channing Tatum appear in Josephine by Beth de Araújo, an official selection of the 2026 Sundance Film Festival. Courtesy of Sundance Institute | photo by Greta Zozula.

Hollywood is rolling out the red carpet for another celebration of cinema as AFI Fest presented by Canva returns to Los Angeles. The annual American Film Institute event sees acclaimed filmmakers, emerging talent, and movie lovers come together for five days of independent cinema. This year, the festival celebrates its 40th edition, running October 21–25, with 12 Sundance Institute–supported films in its lineup.

Several award winners from the 2026 Sundance Film Festival will screen, including Josephine, which took home the U.S. Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic and Audience Award: U.S. Dramatic; Bedford Park, recipient of the U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Debut Feature; and The Friend’s House Is Here, which earned the U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Ensemble Cast. 

Documentary lovers have plenty to look forward to as well. AFI Fest will screen Nuisance Bear, winner of the U.S. Grand Jury Prize: Documentary; One in a Million, recipient of the Directing Award: World Cinema Documentary and the Audience Award: World Cinema Documentary; and Soul Patrol, which earned the Directing Award: U.S. Documentary. The festival’s short film selections also include Fest award winners The Boys and the Bees and Living With a Visionary.

Explore all 12 Sundance Institute–supported films screening at AFI Fest below, including projects nurtured through Sundance Institute artist programs. And be sure to add them to your festival schedule. For more about the programs and initiatives supporting these filmmakers and their work, click here.