Coronado Island Film Festival

CORONADO ISLAND FILM FESTIVAL
CIFF: Where the Art + Science of Cinema Converge

Just over the bridge from downtown San Diego—gateway to more than 35 million annual visitors—lies Coronado Island, one of cinema’s most storied coastal destinations. With over a century of Hollywood legacy, pristine beaches, and timeless charm, Coronado offers a setting that is both iconic and intimate, a magical place where films are not only screened, but truly experienced.

Each November, the Coronado Island Film Festival (CIFF) welcomes filmmakers and screenwriters from across the U.S. and around the world to a festival defined by artistic excellence, meaningful access, and an unmistakable sense of place. Cosmopolitan yet personal, CIFF is where serious storytellers, on the page and on the screen, come to be seen, heard, and connected.

We proudly invite you to join the conversation. 5 days of films, filmmakers, and industry converge to shape the future of storytelling.

Recognized by MovieMaker Magazine as one of the Top 50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee, named a “Best of California” Top 10 Hidden Gem for Live Events & Festivals, and consistently earning 5-star industry reviews, CIFF has emerged as a must-attend, must-experience destination festival, the Crown Jewel of San Diego.

“CIFF is built on passion, collaboration, and creative risk. We champion independent voices, bold screenwriting, and unforgettable stories. We’re proud to welcome filmmakers and screenwriters into a community where meaningful connections truly happen.”
— Merridee Book, CEO & Artistic Director

CORONADO’S ICONIC FILM LEGACY
Coronado’s relationship with Hollywood dates back to the earliest days of filmmaking, when industry pioneers were drawn to the legendary Hotel del Coronado, our presenting sponsor. Built in 1888 on the edge of the Pacific, the Hotel has served as a retreat for generations of filmmakers and screen icons—and remains central to Coronado’s cinematic identity.

Ranked among the Top 10 U.S. destinations, Coronado’s idyllic climate, striking natural beauty, and proximity to Los Angeles have long made it a coveted filming location. From the silent era, when Mary Pickford and Charlie Chaplin strolled Orange Avenue, to classics like Some Like It Hot and modern blockbusters including Top Gun: Maverick, Coronado continues to play an enduring role in film history.

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
In under a decade, CIFF has grown into San Diego’s premier destination film festival—offering filmmakers and screenwriters direct access to industry leaders, decision-makers, and fellow creatives within a refined yet relaxed environment. Thoughtfully curated, highly walkable, and artist-focused, CIFF delivers the credibility of a major festival with the warmth and connection of a true creative community.

PREMIERES & NOTABLE FILMS
Premier studios trust CIFF to connect their films with elevated audiences. CIFF proudly screens a dynamic blend of studio premieres and independent standouts, San Diego premieres, International features and Oscar-winning and-nominated films and Shorts.

2025 SAN DIEGO PREMIERES - "Sentimental Value,” “Train Dreams,” “Dead Man’s Wire” “Arco,” “Blue Moon,” “American Solitaire,” “Jay Kelly,” “The Choral,” “The Secret Agent,” and “The Tale of Silyan”
PREVIOUS YEARS (notables) "A Real Pain," "Seed of the Sacred Fig,""Sugarcane," "Marcella," "Holdovers," "Taste of Things," "Shayda," "Robot Dreams," "Past Lives," "May December," "Fallen Leaves," "PIG," "CODA" "Nomadland"

SCREENWRITERS AT CIFF
Where Great Stories Begin
CIFF is deeply committed to the art and craft of screenwriting. Our Screenwriting Competition has rapidly grown in just two years, drawing bold, original voices and becoming a respected discovery platform for emerging and established writers alike.

Finalists and winners receive meaningful visibility, curated industry programming specifically designed for writers. Screenwriters are fully integrated into the CIFF experience—participating in panels, workshops, networking events, and festival celebrations—because great films begin with great scripts.

THE CIFF SHORT FILM EXHIBITION
A Festival Within the Festival

A defining pillar of CIFF, the Short Film Exhibition showcases exceptional narrative, documentary, animation, and international shorts—bringing together emerging talent and established filmmakers on one influential platform.

CIFF’s shorts programming regularly includes Oscar and BAFTA nominees and winners, with past highlights such as Wander to Wonder, Beautiful Men, The Masterpiece, The Last Repair Shop (Oscar Winner), The Queen of Basketball (Oscar Winner), Nefta Football Club (Oscar Nominee), and The Neighbors’ Window (Oscar Winner).

2025 films included :
Forevergreen
Hurikán
Retirement Plan
Butterfly on a Wheel
The Singers

THE CIFF EXPERIENCE

CIFF is more than a festival—it is a five-day cinematic immersion. The program features 100+ curated films and shorts, filmmaker and screenwriter conversations, master workshops, and high-level industry panels—all set against a stunning coastal backdrop.

CIFF’s industry panels guests and moderatos by top critics, editors, publishers, and influential industry voices, including leaders from Variety, Deadline, and MovieMaker Magazine, offering rare insight into the current and future landscape of film and television.
Rooted in Coronado’s deep military heritage, CIFF honors stories of service and sacrifice while championing women filmmakers, diverse and international voices, Latin American cinema, culinary storytelling, and emerging student talent. The result is a festival experience that sparks conversation, builds lasting relationships, and resonates long after closing night.

INDUSTRY ACCESS
CIFF offers rare proximity to the industry’s most respected voices through MasterLab Workshops, filmmaker- and screenwriter-only gatherings, and intimate networking opportunities with Oscar winners, acclaimed writers, and creative leaders shaping today’s entertainment landscape.

ALUMNI DISCOUNT
All alumni filmmakers (2015-2025) and screenwriting finalists receive a substantial submission discount.

Contact our Film Office for the discount code: FILMOFFICE@CORONADOFILM.COM.

Accepted filmmakers and screenwriter finalists receive:

Two Festival Badges (with discounts on additional badges)
Complimentary tickets to your screenings
Discounted hotel rates
VIP Lounge access
Exclusive industry invitations // luncheon
Discounted access to the Tribute Industry Gala
High-value networking opportunities

HONORING THE INDUSTRY
CIFF proudly celebrates the collaborative art of filmmaking—recognizing excellence both above and below the line. Our Industry Tribute Gala Awards, hosted by legendary film critic and author Leonard Maltin, honors new artists, breakout performances, alongside cinematic icons and trailblazers.

Past Honorees Include:
Chloé Zhao, Delroy Lindo, Deborah Scott, Jane Seymour, Diane Ladd, Geena Davis, Beau Bridges, Adam Smalley, Heidi Moneymaker, Heba Thorisdottir, Mayes Rubio, Richard Dreyfuss, Ron Shelton, Jacqueline Bisset, Paul Raci, Alexandre Desplat, Diane Warren, Dean Cundey, John Toll, Andreas Deja, and many more, whose work continues to shape cinema and culture worldwide.