Coast Film & Music Festival

2026 COAST FILM & MUSIC FESTIVAL

We're excited to announce the 7th Annual Coast Film & Music Festival will be October 16 – 25, 2026 in Laguna Beach, CA.

This is a documentary only festival. Please do not submit narrative films.

We are adding a new category for the 2026 festival: films with music. We have been developing programs with a live music component to the film watching experience. If you think your film would be great for a program like this, please submit!

The films and topical discussions are curated to entertain and inform audiences of all ages and inspire positive change through the power of film, music and storytelling.

The event includes screenings, speaker panels and networking opportunities with filmmakers, athletes and change makers. Each program is organized around inspiring and thought provoking themes and important topics. We focus on outdoor adventure, conservation, mental health, cultural awareness, social equality, climate change, ocean plastics and more.

We are committed to recognizing and promoting filmmakers and their important stories. We give 9 awards after the event including the CFF MacGillivray Freeman Environmental Filmmaker of the year $3,000 cash prize. For students grade 6 - 12 we have the Coast Student Filmmaker program at the Festival and give a scholarship to a graduating Laguna Beach High School student focusing on studying film.

A portion of event proceeds are raised for the Coast Film Foundation to promote documentary filmmaking and support future documentary filmmakers. We also donate to select local environmental non-profits committed to conservation and getting people outside. Past recipients include 1% For The Planet, Surfrider Foundation, Protect Our Winters, Stoked.org, Chill foundation, Laguna Canyon Foundation and others.