Cinequest Film Festival Celebrates 35 Years with Innovative Programming

The annual festival moves to a new venue and features several firsts, including two Maverick Spirit Award events on the same day.

Published on Feb. 1, 2026

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After 35 years, the Cinequest Film and Creativity Festival is still finding ways to keep things fresh. This year's festival will feature several innovative programming elements, including moving the second half of the event to the Alamo Drafthouse in Mountain View due to scheduling conflicts with the Nvidia conference in downtown San Jose. The festival will also host two Maverick Spirit Award events on the same day, a first for Cinequest, honoring Vivica A. Fox and Steve Zahn. Overall, the festival will screen 268 new films from 44 countries, including 123 world and U.S. premieres.

Why it matters

Cinequest has established itself as one of the premier film festivals in the Bay Area, drawing thousands of attendees each year. By adapting its programming and venue to accommodate changes in the local event landscape, the festival is demonstrating its ability to remain relevant and engaging for both filmmakers and audiences over the course of its 35-year history.

The details

In deference to the Nvidia conference, which last March drew about 25,000 folks to downtown San Jose and took over many of the venues that Cinequest attendees usually frequent, the festival will pull up stakes and move the second half of the event to the Alamo Drafthouse in Mountain View starting March 14. Cinequest previously held a festival at this movie theater in August 2023, when it was still run by ShowPlace ICON. Alamo Drafthouse took over the venue last June. Films will be screened in both downtown San Jose and Mountain View on March 14-15.

  • Cinequest Film and Creativity Festival is set for March 10-22, 2026.
  • The first half of the festival will take place in downtown San Jose.
  • The second half of the festival will be held at the Alamo Drafthouse in Mountain View starting March 14.
  • On March 14-15, films will be screened in both downtown San Jose and Mountain View.
  • On March 22, Cinequest will host two closing night films at the Alamo Drafthouse.

The players

Cinequest Film and Creativity Festival

An annual film festival that has been held in the San Jose area for 35 years, showcasing new films from around the world.

Nvidia

A technology company that held a large conference in downtown San Jose last March, taking over many of the venues that Cinequest usually uses.

Alamo Drafthouse

A movie theater chain that took over the ShowPlace ICON venue in Mountain View in June 2025, where Cinequest will hold the second half of its 2026 festival.

Vivica A. Fox

An actress who will receive the Maverick Spirit Award at Cinequest following the world premiere of her latest film, 'Plan C.'

Steve Zahn

An actor who will be honored with the Maverick Spirit Award at Cinequest following a presentation of the film 'She Dances,' which also stars Ethan Hawke and Rosemarie DeWitt.

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What they’re saying

“We like to keep it interesting. It's a feast of festival firsts.”

— Halfdan Hussey, Cinequest CEO (mercurynews.com)

“Technology is neutral. When it's in the hands of the user, that's when it gains its identity.”

— Halfdan Hussey, Cinequest CEO (mercurynews.com)

What’s next

Cinequest will host two Maverick Spirit Award events on March 14, marking the first time the festival has welcomed two recipients on the same day.

The takeaway

Cinequest's ability to adapt its programming and venue to accommodate changes in the local event landscape demonstrates the festival's commitment to remaining relevant and engaging for both filmmakers and audiences over the course of its 35-year history.