AceShowbiz - The Los Angeles Festival of Movies (LAFM) is gearing up for its 2026 edition, showcasing a diverse slate of films from April 9 to April 12. The festival, co-founded in 2024 by Micah Gottlieb and Sarah Winshall, will launch with the directorial debut of actor and writer Maddie's Secret, John Early's poignant comedy-drama, and conclude with Blue Heron, directed by Sophy Romvari.

Maddie's Secret, which follows the story of Maddie Ralph, a food influencer grappling in secret with an adolescent eating disorder, will open the festival at Vidiots' Eagle Theatre on April 9. The film stars John Early himself alongside Kate Berlant, Vanessa Bayer, and Conner O'Malley. Having premiered previously at the Toronto International Film Festival, the film marks an important milestone for Early, who also wrote and directed the film, blending humor with a sensitive portrayal of bulimia and personal struggle.

The closing night film, Blue Heron, will screen at the same venue on April 12. This film, which debuted at the Locarno Film Festival where it won the Swatch First Feature Award and the Junior Jury Award, explores the complexities faced by a Hungarian family immigrating to Vancouver Island in the late 1990s. The narrative centers on the challenges brought by the unpredictable behavior of their teenage son, providing an intimate and elliptical portrait of family and displacement through Sophy Romvari's distinct lens.

The 2026 LAFM lineup promises more than 25 films, including two world premieres, three U.S. premieres, and six West Coast premieres. The festival is co-presented by Kino Film Collection and Mezzanine and will feature artist talks currently being finalized. Alongside the opening and closing titles, notable official selections include After Dreaming by Christine Haroutounian, presented with the Armenian Film Society; Chronovisor by Jack Auen and Kevin Walker; Drinking and Driving by Avalon Fast and Jillian Frank; In the Glow of Darkness by Tucker Bennett; Isaiah's Phone by Frédéric Da; Selegna Sol by Anouk Moyaux; and With Hasan in Gaza by Kamal Aljafari.

In addition to new films, LAFM will present restoration screenings of significant works, including Dreams of Passion by Aarin Burch, Macho Dancer, the influential gay drama by Lino Brocka, and Shades of Silk by Mary Stephen. These screenings highlight the festival's commitment to uncovering and celebrating arthouse gems alongside contemporary independent cinema.

Sarah Winshall, co-founder of LAFM, expressed enthusiasm about the festival’s upcoming program, stating, “We're so happy to be back with a fresh and exciting lineup that exemplifies the height of independent filmmaking. We're particularly thrilled this year to be including John Early's singular and oddly moving satire, Maddie's Secret, and to close with Sophy Romvari's unexpected, elliptical personal portrait, Blue Heron, both highly original films that are best seen on a big screen with a large audience.”

Micah Gottlieb, the other co-founder, emphasized the festival’s dedication to diverse and local voices, adding, “Serving a thriving community of young, diverse cinephiles is what the festival is all about. We're also continuing to introduce audiences to restored arthouse gems, including Lino Brocka's long-out-of-print queer cult classic Macho Dancer, while also screening more new features and shorts by local L.A. filmmakers, which provide an askance and beautifully intimate portrait of life in the city.”

The festival has partnered with several venues across Los Angeles, including Vidiots in Eagle Rock, the interdisciplinary space 2220 Arts + Archives located in Historic Filipinotown, and the independent theater Now Instant Image Hall in Chinatown. Additionally, LAFM conversations and artist talks will be hosted at the Philosophical Research Society in Los Feliz, offering attendees opportunities to engage directly with filmmakers and industry insiders.

Passes for the 2026 Los Angeles Festival of Movies are currently on sale, with individual tickets scheduled to be available starting the week of March 23. With its carefully curated program of premieres, restorations, and artist events, LAFM continues to establish itself as a vital platform for independent cinema on the West Coast.