Tucson Film Festival

10/17/2026

What an incredible time it was last Friday night as we opened the 22nd year with "The Palomino" documentary! A sell-out film festival debut with local film + music luminaries in the crowd. A tremendous thank you to filmmakers Adrienne Isom + KP Hawthorn for bringing this incredible film to Tucson, and letting our community be just the 4th audience to see it on the big screen!

We were fortunate to have had two stars of the documentary + icons of country music in attendance, the lovely Rosie Flores + stellar James Intveld! Thanks for a fascinating Q&A panel, and bringing the love + magic to our festival! Here’s a few photos to recap the event whether you were there or in case you missed it!


📸 Iso VP studios

10/07/2026

Get excited Tucson!!! Opening Night this Friday is going to be amazing!!

10/07/2026

We are so excited to screen The Palomino at the Tucson Film Festival this weekend! We can feel the love and excitement ahead of the event, we hope some of you will be joining us.

Film Fest organizer, Michael Toubassi, had this to say about the movie:
“Even though it’s about a club in Los Angeles, it pretty much feels like it could be a story about a club in Tucson. It really has all the elements that the festival kind of looks for in a movie, and especially in a documentary”

Following the film there will be a Q&A with the filmmakers and artists Rosie Flores and James Intveld. We’ll all walk over to the famous Hotel Congress after that for an intimate performance by the two stars.
“We’re just excited that they’re goin to come to town to support the movie, as well as give us a show. It’s really exciting for us to have that”, Toubassi said.

10/02/2026

Check out the trailer for “Vinyl Thief,” written + directed by Azwan Badruzaman + produced by Nikhil Melnechuk. Starring Eduardo Acosta + Azwan Nawza .

What begins as a quest for a rare album becomes an uneasy family reunion, forcing two brothers to confront the history, rivalry and resentment that drove them apart.

In one week, catch this amazing film during Narrative Shorts Program 1 – Friday October 9th 5:00 PM📍The Screening Room - SCR

09/29/2026

🎞️ Delighted to share the Narrative Shorts Program #1! 📅 Friday October 9th 5:00 PM📍 The Screening Room An eclectic mix of comedy, drama + animated short films!

🌵 Premieres:
“Casey & The Star” | Directed by Caleb Cook
“Cavaradossi’s Aria” | Directed by Ilya Noyabrev (UKRAINE)
“Christmas IRL | Directed by Rochan Liu
“Cost of Living” | Directed by Emily Vortherms
“Higher Education” | Directed by Jenna Rossmand & Tessa Lee
“The Exchange Rate” | Directed by Sean Derrick Leeman (UA School of Theatre, Film & Television)
“Vinyl Thief” | Directed by Azwan Badruzaman Vinyl Thief - Short Film by Azwan

🎤Q&A with filmmakers Sean Derrick Leeman + Azwan Badruzaman✨
🎟 Get your tickets today! EVENTive :: online event management system

Film Tucson Arizona Production Association Arizona Film Office Arizona Arts

09/26/2026

🎬 Documentary Spotlight: “STREET SMART: Lessons from a TV Icon” directed by Ernie Bustamante, is a vibrant portrait of Sonia Manzano aka “Maria” from Sesame Street, the trailblazing actress who transformed television and inspired generations. After 44 years on TV + winning 15 Emmy® awards, Sonia is now the creator of Alma’s Way, the hit animated TV series for PBS KIDS Featuring interviews with luminaries, original animation, and scripted scenes that blend humor and heart, this inspirational documentary invites viewers to learn once again from this beloved icon.

🎞️ World Premiere Bentonville Film Festival Official Selection HotDocs Cucalorus Sidewalk Film Festivals!

📍Catch the Tucson Premiere + stay for the Q&A with the director Ernie Bustamante on Saturday, October 10 2026 3PM at The Screening Room.



Nalip Org Film Tucson Arizona Public Media Downtown Tucson

09/26/2026

Happy to announce the Documentary Shorts Program #2! 📅 Sunday October 11, 2026 | 5:00PM 📍
A thought-provoking mix of regional documentary short films covering aging, tradition + the environmental issues!

🎬 World Premiere:
“Dancing Through Life: The Tucson Prime Time Dancers” | Directed by Lynette Hebble | Produced by David Hebble

☀️ Premieres:
“Kain Tayo (Let’s Eat)” | Directed by Caroline Rosen | UA School of Theatre, Film & Television
“I Still Love Her” | Directed by Joseph Zentil | Produced by Francis Pienaar + Grace Torkelson
“I Want to Hear Your Voice” | Directed by James Pellerito + Produced by David Barbas

🌵 premiere:
"" | Directed by Claire Musser + Maddie Bear
“Toka: The Game Must Go On” | Directed by the Tohono O’odham Nations Documentary Film Collective -Ambulante-de-Cine-Documental

🎤 Q&A with filmmakers following the screening
🎟 Tickets on sale now! Don’t miss it!


Film Tucson Arizona Production Association Arizona Arts Downtown Tucson

09/25/2026

We are thrilled to be partnering with club congress to host these 2 incredible musicians for a really special one in lifetime evening!

Legendary Rockabilly Singer-Songwriters, Rosie Flores and James Intveld come to the Congress Plaza on Friday 10/9!

In the 1970s, Flores became one of the most celebrated performers on the “cowpunk” circuit and proved her to be a singer and songwriter of the first rank, and helped lay the foundation for what coalesced into the alt country movement.

James Intveld has fierce spirit toward traditional country music. He has contributed to The Blasters, Dwight Yoakam, Dale Watson, and others while in league with the brightest and most ambitious musicians of the day at the Palomino Club of North Hollywood. He dubbed vocals for Johnny Depp in the movie Cry Baby and dueted with Reese Witherspoon for the movie Walk The Line.

This event is in partnership with the Tucson Film Festival, screening "The Palomino" before the event, a documentary that explores the remarkable history of the legendary Los Angeles honky-tonk that helped shape the future of American music. Both Rosie Flores and James Intveld have a personal history with the Palomino, making this screening a fitting introduction to the evening.

Get your tickets here (21+) - https://link.dice.fm/Ne68f4d61dba

09/25/2026

Pleased to announce the Narrative Shorts Program 3! 📅 Sunday, October 11, 12:30PM The Screening Room. Come down and check out an entertaining + eclectic mix of comedic short films!

☀️Arizona Premieres:
It’s All Fine | directed by Brendan Beachman (festival alumni)
Young Eddie | directed by Raymond Hwang + Vanessa Rosenblum
Avant Guard | directed by CR Sherman
MF! (Mezzo Forte) | directed by Ellen Walker & Ellie Moffat
Breakfast at Berghain | directed by Autumn P***n
Fireflies in the Dusk | directed by Jonathan Hammond
Plus 🌎 World Premiere of “Boiler Room” | directed by John Barnard!

🎟 Post show Q&A with filmmakers to follow. Tickets are only $12.50 + are on sale now!

Film Tucson Arizona Commission on the Arts Arizona Arts UA School of Theatre, Film & Television Downtown Tucson

09/24/2026

Excited to reveal the lineup for Doc Shorts Program 1! Catch these incredible award-worthy docs on the big screen 🎬 Saturday October 10th 5PM at The Screening Room!

☀️ premieres:
"Thank You For Listening" | Directed by Gene Gallerano + Bob Ray (2x festival alumni!) An intimate portrait about the life + music of Joshua Ray Walker!
"We Were All Young" | Directed by Tom Tanquary. Featuring Arizona’s own first/best new wave band Gentlemen Afterdark aka The Pills!
"Making Music From Monsters" | directed by Mark Andrew Hamer. Follow the creative journey behind a fictional 1970s-style exploitation film that exists only through its artwork and music!

🌵 premiere:
"Trailblazers" | Directed by Kristin Atwell + Bill Davis. In 1982, two brothers who walked across the state of Arizona forged the way for a national scenic trail!

🎟 Post show Q&A to follow. Tickets on sale now ! Film Tucson Arizona Trail Association Arizona Production Association Downtown Tucson Downtown Radio-Tucson