2026 Los Alamos Film & Culture Festival Returns April 17-19

Volunteer-run event showcases films from around the world at SALA Los Alamos Event Center

Apr. 12, 2026 at 2:24am

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An abstract, minimalist illustration composed of bold, geometric shapes in shades of blue, green, and orange, conceptually representing the diverse international films and cultural connections of the Los Alamos Film & Culture Festival.The 2026 Los Alamos Film & Culture Festival celebrates the power of global cinema to forge new cultural connections.Los Alamos Today

The 2026 Los Alamos Film and Culture Festival is set to return to the SALA Los Alamos Event Center from April 17-19, featuring a diverse lineup of films from Finland, Iran, Ireland, Spain, Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, Guernsey, Serbia, Switzerland, and Canada. The volunteer-run nonprofit festival aims to inspire global connections through cinema, with filmmakers and producers participating in virtual Q&As with the local audience.

Why it matters

The Los Alamos Film and Culture Festival has grown into a respected regional event, attracting filmmakers from around the world to the small New Mexico town. The festival not only provides the local community access to international cinema, but also supports the continued upgrades and improvements to the SALA Event Center, ensuring it remains a hub for future cultural events.

The details

The 2026 festival will include one-day ($10) and three-day ($25) passes, with full access to all films and events each day. The net proceeds from ticket sales will go towards the Sala Phase Forward project, which is making upgrades to the event center. Festival organizer Sandy Jones has carefully curated the diverse film lineup, which will feature virtual Q&As with many of the filmmakers and producers.

  • The 2026 Los Alamos Film and Culture Festival will take place April 17-19.
  • The festival has been an annual event since 2025.

The players

Mikheil Gabadize

A filmmaker who won additional awards after participating in the 2025 Los Alamos Film and Culture Festival, demonstrating the event's ability to inspire and elevate artists on the global stage.

Allan Saenz

The owner of the SALA Los Alamos Event Center, which is hosting the 2026 film festival. Saenz is honored to partner with the festival organizers and support the event through use of the venue.

Sandy Jones

The volunteer organizer of the Los Alamos Film and Culture Festival, responsible for curating the diverse international film lineup and coordinating the virtual filmmaker Q&As.

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What they’re saying

“What I enjoy most is the opportunity to connect with filmmakers and producers, often through Zoom on the big screen, and hear their perspectives directly. It creates a special experience where our audience can engage with people from different cultures and places while enjoying films that open up new ways of seeing the world.”

— Allan Saenz, Owner, SALA Los Alamos Event Center

“We're excited to host it again, and it is also meaningful that the festival helps support SALA as we continue making upgrades and improvements to the venue. I hope people come and experience these films, thoughtfully selected and organized by Sandy, and we are very thankful for all the effort she puts into making this festival possible.”

— Allan Saenz, Owner, SALA Los Alamos Event Center

What’s next

The 2026 Los Alamos Film and Culture Festival will take place April 17-19 at the SALA Los Alamos Event Center. Tickets are available on the SALA website, with one-day passes for $10 and three-day passes for $25.

The takeaway

The Los Alamos Film and Culture Festival has grown into a respected regional event that brings the global film community to the small New Mexico town. By hosting virtual Q&As and showcasing diverse international cinema, the festival not only enriches the local cultural landscape, but also supports the continued development of the SALA Event Center as a hub for future arts and entertainment programming.