DIFF NEWSREEL | FEBRUARY 2026

DIFF Announces Dates and New Additions

for Dallas International Film Festival 2026

Tanya Foster and Lynn McBee named co-chairs

for Festival’s 20th anniversary celebration

Tanya Foster, Co-Chair

Lynn McBee, Co-Chair

DIFF has announced plans for the 2026 Dallas International Film Festival as the Oscar® Qualifying Festival celebrates its 20th edition. The announcement was made by DIFF CEO Beth Wilbins and DIFF Artistic Director James Faust.

The eight-day Festival is set for Thursday, April 23 – Thursday, April 30, 2026.

Community leaders Tanya Foster and Lynn McBee, both of whom held previous leadership roles with the Festival’s parent organization, Dallas Film Society, Inc., will serve as co-chairs for the 20th Anniversary Dallas International Film Festival. Foster, who served as the Executive Director, and McBee, who served as the Board Chair, will preside over the 20^th anniversary events and a new host committee comprised of individuals who have been involved with the Festival over the past 20 years.

Michael Cain – who was the co-founder, along with the late Liener Temerlin, of Dallas Film Society, Inc. in 2006 and the original Festival in 2007 – will host a new Founders Night Screening event.

Liener Temerlin and Michael Cain, Co-Founders

Cinépolis Luxury Cinemas Victory Park, located steps away from American Airlines Center at 2365 Victory Park Lane, returns as the host venue. Additional screenings and events will be held at the historic Texas Theatre and the artful Virgin Hotels Dallas – which returns for the fourth year as the Premier Sponsor of the Festival – among other world-class Dallas destinations to be announced.

New to this year’s offerings at the Festival will be the first-time DIFF Industry Conference, presented in collaboration with Dallas Film Commission. The conference will feature panels focusing on filmmaking, television production, and how to thrive in an ever-changing industry, according to Katie Schuck, the Dallas Film Commissioner, and Austin Flores, who is the Location Specialist for Dallas Film Commission and will serve as Conference Director.

Passes are on sale now! Click below to purchase passes, get more Festival details, and read the full press release.

SPANISH CINEMA NOW+ "PREMIOS GOYA"

El 47 (The 47)

Thursday, February 5 | 7:00 pm

Meadows Museum | 5900 Bishop Blvd | Dallas 75205

Join us for "El 47" the second film in the Spanish Cinema Now+ "Premios Goya" series at the Meadows Museum on February 5. Admission is free.

Spanish Cinema Now+ “Premios Goya” showcases contemporary Spanish cinema by screening three films recognized at the 39th Goya Awards. The series was organized by the Cultural Office of the Embassy of Spain in Washington, DC, the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), and the Spanish Film Academy, and is presented in Dallas by the Meadows Museum in collaboration with Dallas Film.

El 47 (The 47) | Directed by Marcel Barrena

Set in the late 1970s, this 2024 film celebrates real-life bus driver Manolo Vital, who performed an act of civil disobedience for his own working-class neighborhood. Tired of the Barcelona City Council claiming that public transportation couldn’t reach the impoverished area of Torre Baró because its streets were too narrow and unsafe, Manolo hijacks his own bus, “el 47,” and reroutes it to prove the authorities wrong. El 47 received the awards for Best Film, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Supporting Actress at the 39th Goya Awards.

Spain’s Institute of Cinematography and Audiovisual Arts rates this film ICAA 7+ (not recommended for audiences under seven years of age), but the Meadows Museum screening is intended for mature audiences only.

Catalan and Spanish with English subtitles | 100 minutes

FREE; space is limited, register online in advance.

DIFF FEBRUARY MIXER

Wednesday, February 11 | 5:30 to 7:30 pm

Virgin Hotels Dallas | 1445 Turtle Creek Blvd | Dallas 75207

Come share your love of film at the DIFF Monthly Mixer on February 11 at Virgin Hotels Dallas in the Dallas Design District. You'll find heartfelt conversation, camaraderie, and connections with local film industry insiders, film enthusiasts, and the DIFF community.

Get all the details and make your free reservation below.

ATTENTION FILMMAKERS: FINAL DEADLINE ALERT

DIFF 2026 FINAL SUBMISSIONS DEADLINE IS FEBRUARY 17

Attention Filmmakers! Film submissions for the 2026 Dallas International Film Festival are open on FilmFreeway.com, and the Final Deadline is February 17, 2026.

The 2026 Dallas International Film Festival is set for April 23–30, 2026, marking its 20th anniversary of championing filmmakers and cinematic storytelling. More than just a week of screenings, DIFF has become a signature Dallas event—one where the magic of film illuminates the city and the world converges on its screens.

Submit now and be part of the magic this Spring!

IN CONVERSATION WITH REBEKAH

Wednesday, March 4 | 7:30 pm

The Texas Theatre | 231 Jefferson Blvd | Dallas 75208

A new live series, IN CONVERSATION WITH REBEKAH, is set to debut on March 4 at 7:30pm at The Texas Theatre. Hosted by award-winning film festival strategist Dr. Rebekah Louisa Smith, also known as The Film Festival Doctor, the first guest will be Oscar®-shortlisted filmmaker and DIFF alum Sam Henderson. 

Reserve your seat below for an in-depth and unfiltered conversation designed to inspire others to build and expand their film careers. 

JOIN US AS A DIFF FILM INSIDER

When you become a DIFF Film Insider, you'll be among the first to receive invitations to advance screenings and events. Every membership fee goes toward furthering the art of film and building community through film year-round, from education to screenings to community partnerships to annual film festivals in North Texas, and more.

Join today and gain insider benefits and access to all-things DIFF.

DIFF is dedicated to building community through film. DIFF provides accessible, inclusive, immersive, educational, and entertaining film experiences for all through hosting year-round programs including an educational screening and talk series with industry professionals; free advance screenings of new films for subscribers, volunteers, sponsors, supporters, and the public; film series in collaboration with community partners; and other unique events ranging from film premieres to classic film anniversary celebrations. The signature festivals of DIFF are the Dallas International Film Festival, held annually in the spring, and the DIFF SHORTS Film Festival held annually in the fall. DIFF (also referred to as Dallas Film) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 2006 as Dallas Film Society, Inc.