Lake Tahoe Documentary Film Festival

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Lake Tahoe Documentary Film Festival

An adventure-packed, multi-day documentary film fest, spotlights stories that light up the soul.

Gathering community and filmmakers amidst the breathtaking beauty of Tahoe's natural wonderland, April 17-19, 2026.

05/15/2026

Before the festival began, we were already in the classrooms. 🎬

This year, LTDFF In Schools reached over 2,000 local K-12 students bringing documentary films and real filmmakers directly into classrooms in the week leading up to the festival. Younger students explored the natural world through age-appropriate films in partnership with the Wild & Scenic Film Festival, while high schoolers got to sit down with visiting filmmakers for live, unscripted Q&As about craft, storytelling, and what it really takes to make a film that matters.

These are the kinds of moments that don't happen in a textbook, and we are so proud to make them happen for our community.

A huge thank you to our 2026 Youth Champion Sponsors, Tahoe Arts Project and Soroptimist Tahoe, for believing in the power of art and education for young people and making this program possible. 🎓💛

05/13/2026

Some screenings are more than just screenings — and this was one of them.

On Day 2 of , we screened The Paradise Paradox to a packed house. The film is a direct, unflinching look at the mental health crisis affecting America's mountain towns and the people working hard to change that. It's a story about us. About these communities we call home, and the struggles that too often go unspoken.

After the screening, a panel of mental health professionals working in the Reno-Tahoe area took the stage to share what they're doing on the ground — the programs, the resources, and the people showing up every single day.

None of this happens without the generosity of those who believe in the power of community. A heartfelt thank you to our sponsors: Tim Williams of the Rotary Club, A Balanced Life, Unity at the Lake, and Forever14 for making this screening free and accessible to all. Your support turned an important film into a shared experience, and that makes all the difference. 💙

05/07/2026

Your votes are in! Announcing the 2026 Audience Choice for Features 🎉

Congratulations to director Cody Sheehy and the entire team behind The Last Dive for winning the Audience Choice Award for Feature Documentary at !

An ex-Hell's Angel. A giant manta ray named W***y.
And one last expedition to a remote island to reunite with this extraordinary ocean friend. This film captured hearts from the very first frame.

We were so honored by the outpouring of community support for this sold out screening. We also had the wonderful gift of welcoming film subject Joyce Clinton for a live Q&A, giving our audience a chance to go even deeper into this extraordinary story straight from someone who lived it.

Congratulations to everyone behind this beautiful film. We are so glad it found its home here with our community. 🙌

05/06/2026

Your votes are in! Announcing the 2026 Audience Choice for Shorts 🎉

Congratulations to director Kari Barber and the entire team behind The Muralist for taking home the Audience Choice Award for Short Documentary at !

With a small paintbrush strapped to his head, artist Connor Fogal is taking on his greatest challenge yet:

a large public mural. Despite severe cerebral palsy limiting the use of his arms and legs, nothing limits his vision.

Local filmmaker Kari Barber captured his story with such tenderness and care that audiences couldn't help but fall in love. Our Saturday Local Spotlight screening was packed, and the energy in the room during the Q&A, where Connor himself joined us live, was something truly special.

It was an absolute honor to screen this film. This recognition is so beautifully deserved. Congratulations, Kari, Connor, and the whole film team. 🎨❤️

05/01/2026

That’s a wrap on an incredible film festival 🎬

A huge thank you to everyone who came out—from near and far—showed support, and helped make it all happen. We’re especially grateful to our sponsors, filmmakers, and volunteers—this truly wouldn’t have been possible without you. We’re proud of what we’re building together and excited to keep growing something special in Tahoe.

See you next year 💙🏔️ 🎥

04/17/2026

The festival is officially here! 🎉

We can’t wait to spend an incredible weekend with you, starting tonight at our Passholder Welcome Party! Stop by the the Main Lobby of Margaritaville from 6pm-9pm to pick up your badge, mingle with filmmakers, connect with fellow attendees, and celebrate the start of an inspiring weekend.

We’re so excited to have you join us as we come together to honor the art of documentary!

04/16/2026

It's nearly time! Will we see you this weekend?

PS - there's still passes and individual tickets still available on our website.

04/15/2026

Live Podcast recording at the fest!!! 🎙

Add this to your Saturday schedule!

Join us for an exclusive conversation with Nadia and Dominic Gill following the screening of their film "Feeding the Rat", "Marcus & Me", plus a sneak peak of their feature film showing Sunday 4/19, "The [Conserv]atives". In discussion with Dave Santina of PBS Reno ARTS, they’ll explore their filmmaking process, the arts in the region, and their new initiative Bristlecone collective, a film nonprofit based in Truckee, CA, dedicated to nurturing independent film in the Northern Sierras.

🗓 Saturday, April 18, 2026 1:15 PM PDT
📍 Room 2 - Azure | Margaritaville

04/14/2026

Come for the film. Stay for meaningful conversation.

This year’s Impact Spotlight features "The Paradise Paradox" and the conversation doesn’t end when the film does. Join us for a post-screening program designed to bring these themes closer to home. Special guests in the panel include:

Introduction: Angie Reagan, Access Tahoe
Moderator: Eli Ramos, Tahoe Daily Tribune

Panelists:
Kerri Countess, Forever14
Natasha Buffo, Dirt and Tears -Mental Health First Aid
Sarah Vigilante, Eastern Sierra Counseling and Consulting
Nate Stulburg, Heavenly Ski Patrol
Cynthia Tate, American Foundation for Su***de Prevention and Washoe Su***de Prevention Alliance

We’ll begin with a roundtable introduction featuring local individuals and organizations working in mental health, followed by a panel discussion exploring how the film’s message shows up in our own community. Then, stay for a free community mixer for space to connect, reflect, and continue the conversation together.

This event is presented by Forever14 and Tim Williams of the Tahoe Douglas Rotary Club .

04/13/2026

Some of the most important conversations happen in smaller rooms.

Climate Circles are a space to cultivate deeper connections between filmgoers, filmmakers, and conservation voices in a judgment-free environment—creating room to explore the ecological and social justice questions these documentaries raise, but that are rarely discussed.

These small-group conversations invite thoughtful dialogue on our changing world—from landscapes and wildlife to the social issues intertwined with them.

Space is limited to keep the experience meaningful. RSVP optional but encouraged.

Address

South Lake Tahoe, Ca
South Lake Tahoe, CA

Website

http://www.ltdff.org/

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