PRESS RELEASE 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THE THIRTEENTH ANNUAL PASADENA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (PIFF)
SET FOR APRIL 9-16, 2026
Local businesses, including Pasadena Playhouse Village’s Anayas Restaurant, Laemmle’s NoHo 7, and Brews Brothers NoHo Pub, host the best in independent film.
Brought to you by First Entertainment Credit Union
PASADENA, CA (March 12, 2026) — The thirteenth edition of the Pasadena International Film Festival (PIFF) returns to the NoHo Arts District April 9-16, 2026, presenting more than 160 films from over 12 countries during its eight-day run at Laemmle NoHo 7 theater.
Panels, a nightly Passholders’ Lounge, and an “Old Hollywood Glamour”-themed closing night award ceremony are also scheduled. Festival entries include features, shorts, documentaries, and animated films. Sponsored by the First Entertainment Credit Union, the screenings are presented in programming blocks featuring moderated Q&As with filmmakers at the conclusion of each screening block.
PIFF’s opening night activities include a California-themed block featuring a short film starring Smallville’s John Glover, an ’80s-themed block of films, and the world premiere of the feature film Blood Yolk, a heart-pounding thriller scored by Academy Award-nominated composer Nicholas Pike. Festivities will continue with our “Radical Rewind” ’80s-themed party at Brews Brothers NoHo Pub after the screenings.
The weekend kicks off with a workshop by Jake O’Flaherty of Dangerfield Talent: State of the Industry Today From a Talent Agent’s Perspective on Friday. The excitement continues with the hotly-anticipated film Til Death… Do You starring Michael Beach of Tulsa King fame on Saturday.
On Sunday, the festival will screen the family-friendly short Little Matchmakers starring Eric Roberts, about two young girls who decide to find their grandfather a new match after their grandmother’s passing. Also on Sunday, the dramatic short Foxbody written, directed, and produced by Cameron Monaghan of SHOWTIME’s Shameless, “a love letter to David Lynch, the Coen Bros, and the independent American films of the late eighties.” Finally, Sunday screenings will finish with the world premiere of feature Detention starring Lost’s Elizabeth Mitchell, about teens bonding while stuck in Saturday detention.
The weekday screenings include MascLooking, a short thriller about the horrors of modern dating starring Mean Girls’ Daniel Franzese, and dramatic boxing short The Day is Young starring Dee Wallace of E.T., both on Tuesday night.
PIFF is also proud to showcase films about the California wildfires such as the documentaries Altadena: The Heart. The Art and The Soul, California is Burning, Echoes of the Palisades, Going For Home, and the music video Embers.
The festival culminates with the “Old Hollywood Glamour” Award Ceremony, emcee’d by actor Marco Neves, which will highlight and honor the extraordinary talents showcased at PIFF. All names mentioned are expected to attend the festival.
For a complete film festival schedule, visit www.pasadenafilmfestival.org.​
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About PIFF
Founded in 2012 by Jessica Hardin and Marco Neves, industry veterans and Pasadena residents, PIFF aims to bring high-caliber, independent cinema to a county renowned for its love of culture and the arts. Films that have won at PIFF have gone on to win at the American Pavilion Showcase at the Festivale de Cannes.
Media Contact
Jessica Hardin
310.498.7204
