The 43rd Miami Film Festival, taking place April 9–19, 2026, unveiled its lineup of over 160 narratives, documentaries, and short films from 45 countries, including 40 World Premieres.
The festival kicks off on opening night with Tuner, Academy Award-winning director Daniel Roher’s first narrative feature. Tuner stars Leo Woodall as a gifted young piano tuner whose heightened sense of hearing draws the attention of criminals, who see his talents as useful for opening safes as well as for tuning Steinways. With his once-promising musical career over, he works across New York with his mentor Harry Horowitz (Academy Award-winner Dustin Hoffman), encountering a range of characters, including composition student Ruthie (Havana Rose Liu), with whom he forges an unexpected connection. Niki’s safecracking work threatens his budding romance with Ruthie and pulls him into increasingly dangerous territory. Blending romance, drama, and the taut suspense of a heist thriller, Tuner also features performances from Tony Award-winner Tovah Feldshuh, Lior Raz, and Jean Reno.
The Festival will close with the Power Ballad, a feel-good story about music, self-respect, friendship, and the price of ambition, from writer-director John Carney (Sing Street, Once). When Rick (Paul Rudd), a past-his-prime wedding singer, meets fading boy-band star Danny (Nick Jonas) during a gig, the two bond over music and a late-night jam session. But when Danny turns one of Rick’s songs into the hit that reignites his career, Rick sets out to reclaim the recognition he believes he deserves – even if it means risking everything he cares about.
Steven Soderbergh’s The Christophers, starring Ian McKellen and Michaela Coel, and Maude Apatow’s Poetic License, starring Leslie Mann, Andrew Barth Feldman, and Cooper Hoffman, will make their Florida premieres as Centerpiece selections.
Marquee presentations include Jorma Taccone’s Over Your Dead Body, Ben McKenzie’s Everyone is Lying to You for Money, Walter Thompson-Hernandez’s If I Go Will They Miss Me, and Jing Ai Ng’s Forge.
Premieres include the World Premieres of documentaries such as Jon Kean’s The Hollywood Rabbi and Keanu Reeves-executive-produced Madwoman’s Game, as well as Peacock’s new South Florida-set series M.I.A., and Brazilian hacker thriller The King of the Internet.
Other notable titles include Focus Features’ Obsession, Sony Pictures Classics’ I Swear, Magnolia Pictures’ Normal, Carolina Caroline and I Want Your Sex, NEON’s Hokum and Leviticus, and a Special Presentation of A24’s Sofia Coppola-directed Marc By Sofia about iconic fashion designer Marc Jacobs.
Special events include the U.S. Premiere of musical biographical film Milly, Queen of Merengue at the Miami Beach Bandshell, with director Leticia Tonos Paniagua and legendary Dominican singer Milly Quezada in attendance; Whiplash in Concert, featuring a screening of the film accompanied by an 18-piece jazz band performing the film’s music live with composer Justin Hurwitz conducting; and a 25th anniversary screening of The Princess Diaries at Vizcaya Museum & Gardens.
“This year’s lineup showcases an extraordinary range of storytelling that reflects the richness of global cinema and the vibrant creative voices shaping the future of film,” said James Woolley, Executive Director. “We are proud to welcome audiences back for a dynamic celebration of film that connects Miami to the world.”
“This year’s lineup reflects an extraordinary moment for Miami Film Festival, featuring films from celebrated filmmakers like Steven Soderbergh, Sofia Coppola, Gregg Araki, and John Carney, alongside bold new discoveries from around the world,” said Lauren Cohen, Director of Programming. “With films from 45 countries and our largest-ever Made-in-MIA program, it’s a lineup that feels both truly global and authentically rooted in Miami’s filmmaking community.”
At the festival, Adam Scott, who stars in Hokum, will receive the Vanguard Award, Bob Odenkirk, who stars in Normal, will receive the Precious Gem Award, Danielle Brooks, who stars in If I Go Will They Miss Me, will receive the Art of Light Award, Sonia Manzano will receive the Impact Award following a screening of Street Smart: Lessons From a TV Icon, Lili Reinhart, who stars in the TV series Hal & Harper, will receive the Art of Light Award, and Matt Bomer, who stars in the upcoming Apple Original Film Outcome, will receive the Vanguard Award and will participate in a live recording of the Happy Sad Confused podcast hosted by Josh Horowitz.
MARIMBAS Award Competition
Adult Children (United States, directed by Rich Newey) – Florida Premiere
Broken Voices (Czech Republic, directed by Ondřej Provazník) – Florida Premiere
Carolina Caroline (United States, directed by Adam Carter Rehmeier) – Florida Premiere
Comandante Fritz (Germany, directed by Pavel Giroud) – North American Premiere
El Regresado (Cuba, directed by Armando Capo) – World Premiere
Erupcja (United States, directed by Pete Ohs) – Florida Premiere
Flavia (United Kingdom, directed by Bharat Nalluri) – North American Premiere
Heysel 85 (Belgium, directed by Teodora Ana Mihai) – North American Premiere
Hokum (United States, directed by Damian McCarthy) – Florida Premiere
I Swear (United Kingdom, directed by Kirk Jones) – East Coast Premiere
I Want Your Sex (United States, directed by Gregg Araki) – Florida Premiere
Ky Nam Inn (Vietnam, directed by Leon Le) – East Coast Premiere
La Gioia (Italy, directed by Nicolangelo Gelormini) – Florida Premiere
Ladies’ Hunting Party (Día de caza) (Spain, directed by Pedro Aguilera) – North American Premiere
Levitating (Para Perasuk) (Indonesia, directed by Wregas Bhanuteja) – East Coast Premiere
Maspalomas (Spain, directed by Aitor Arregi & José Mari Goenaga) – Florida Premiere
Melodrama (Dominican Republic, directed by Andrés Farías) – U.S. Premiere
Milly, Queen of Merengue (Dominican Republic, directed by Leticia Tonos Paniagua) – U.S. Premiere
Mouse (United States, directed by Kenny Oiwa Riches) – Florida Premiere
My Friend Eva (Spain, directed by Cesc Gay) – North American Premiere
Normal (United States, directed by Ben Wheatley) – Florida Premiere
On the Road (En El Camino) (Mexico, directed by David Pablos)
Over Your Dead Body (United States, directed by Jorma Taccone) – East Coast Premiere
Romería (Spain, directed by Carla Simón) – Florida Premiere
Silent Friend (Germany, directed by Ildikó Enyedi) – Florida Premiere
Sore: A Wife From the Future (Indonesia, directed by Yandy Laurens) – Florida Premiere
Tape (Hong Kong, directed by Bizhan M. Tong) – East Coast Premiere
The Blue Trail (Brazil, directed by Gabriel Mascaro) – Florida Premiere
The Christophers (United Kingdom, directed by Steven Soderbergh) – Florida Premiere
The Cost of Heaven (Canada, directed by Mathieu Denis) – East Coast Premiere
The Dinner (Spain, directed by Manuel Gómez Pereira) – North American Premiere
The King of the Internet (Brazil, directed by Fabrício Bittar) – World Premiere
The Last One for the Road (Italy, directed by Francesco Sossai) – Florida Premiere
The Soundman (Belgium, directed by Frank Van Passel) – Florida Premiere
Three Goodbyes (Italy, directed by Isabel Coixet) – Florida Premiere
Under the Same Sun (Dominican Republic, directed by Ulises Porra) – US Premiere
Jordan Ressler First Feature Award Competition
1001 Frames (Iran, directed by Mehrnoush Alia) – East Coast Premiere
A Mosquito in the Ear (United States, directed by Nicola Rinciari) – Florida Premiere
Blue Heron (Canada, directed by Sophy Romvari) – Florida Premiere
Dancing on the Elephant (Canada, directed by Julia Neill & Jacob Z. Smith) – East Coast Premiere
Edie Arnold is a Loser (United States, directed by Megan Rico & Kade Atwood) – East Coast Premiere
Happy Birthday (Egypt, directed by Sarah Goher) – Florida Premiere
Honeyjoon (United States, directed by Lilian T. Mehrel) – Florida Premiere
If I Go Will They Miss Me (United States, directed by Walter Thompson-Hernandez) – Florida Premiere
Leviticus (Australia, directed by Adrian Chiarella) – Florida Premiere
Maddie’s Secret (United States, directed by John Early) – Florida Premiere
No Salgas (Dominican Republic, directed by Victoria Linares Villegas) – North American Premiere
Obsession (United States, directed by Curry Barker) – Florida Premiere
Poetic License (United States, directed by Maude Apatow) – Florida Premiere
Second Victims (Denmark, directed by Zinnini Elkington) – North American Premiere
Serena (United States, directed by Rob Alicea) – East Coast Premiere
The Gymnast (United States, directed by Charlotte Glynn) – North American Premiere
The Musical (United States, directed by Giselle Bonilla) – East Coast Premiere
The Red Hangar (Hangar Rojo) (Chile, directed by Juan Pablo Sallato) – North American Premiere
This Tempting Madness (United States, directed by Jennifer Montgomery) – East Coast Premiere
Festival’s Made in MIA Award Competition
An Instrumental Start: A Model for the Nation (United States, directed by Brian Bayerl & Mike Huter) – World Premiere
Dual Citizen (United States, directed by Rachelle Salnave) – World Premiere
Eva y Adán en Miami (United States, directed by Lilo Vilaplana) – World Premiere
Forge (United States, directed by Jing Ai Ng) – Florida Premiere
Miami Stories (United States, directed by Eliecer Jiménez Almeida) – World Premiere
Por La Vida (United States, directed by Gonzalo Mejía) – World Premiere
Rope Tied (United States, directed by Chiara Padejka & Evan Friedmann) – East Coast Premiere
The Mecca: Legends of Traz Powell Stadium (United States, directed by Nicanson Guerrier) – World Premiere
The Old Man and the Parrot (United States, directed by Gabriel de Varona) – East Coast Premiere
Tropical Park (United States, directed by Hansel Porras Garcia) – Florida Premiere
Uncle Roly (United States, directed by Dennis Velazquez) – World Premiere
When Men Dance (United States, directed by Abbas A. Motlagh) – World Premiere
Made in MIA Short Film Award Competition
“Are You Having Fun?,” directed by Nicole Cone – Florida Premiere
“Beach Towel Art Show,” directed by David Hamzik – World Premiere
“Colada,” directed by Carmen Pelaez – World Premiere
“Double Dipper,” directed by Norman Nathaniel Mayorga, Hector Zumbado
“Harajuku, FL,” directed by Andrés Jesus Gimenez – East Coast Premiere
“Mamita Linda,” directed by Jose Duran – World Premiere
“Manatees Strike Back,” directed by Alec Castillo – World Premiere
“Miami Magic,” directed by Victoria Collado – World Premiere
“Nail Tech: Portrait of an Artist,” directed by Jillian Hernandez, Elena Guzman – World Premiere
“September All Over,” directed by Kali Kahn – North American Premiere
“SKRRRT!,” directed by Gabriela Garcia Medina – World Premiere
“Test of Time: Frankie’s Pizza,” directed by Julian Alicea – World Premiere
“The Floor Remembers,” directed by Jayme Gershen – World Premiere
“The Last Console,” directed by Daniel Abrusci – World Premiere
“The Poor Man’s Titanic,” directed by Kerry Sanders – World Premiere
“Two Tears,” directed by Josefina Pieres – World Premiere
“Under the Mango Tree,” directed by Symone Titania Major – World Premiere
Documentary Achievement Award Competition
A Life Illuminated (United States, directed by Tasha Van Zandt) – Florida Premiere
American Pachuco: The Legend of Luis Valdez (United States, directed by David Alvarado) – Florida Premiere
Calle Cuba (Chile, Cuba, Mexico, directed by Vanessa Batista) – World Premiere
Cookie Queens (United States, directed by Alysa Nahmias) – Florida Premiere
Everybody to Kenmure Street (United Kingdom, directed by Felipe Bustos Sierra) – Florida Premiere
Farruquito: A Flamenco Dynasty (Spain, directed by Santi Aguado & Reuben Atlas) – Florida Premiere
Give Me the Ball! (United States, directed by Liz Garbus & Elizabeth Wolff) – Florida Premiere
King Hamlet (United States, directed by Elvira Lind) – Florida Premiere
Madwoman’s Game (United States, directed by Zach Zamboni) – World Premiere
Mary Oliver: Saved by the Beauty of the World (United States, directed by Sasha Waters) – Florida Premiere
Modern Whore (Canada, directed by Nicole Bazuin) – East Coast Premiere
Perseverance, a documentary essay on Tomás Sánchez (Mexico, directed by Juan Carlos Martín) – International Premiere
Revolution’s Daughter (United States, directed by Thaddeus D. Matula) – World Premiere
Runa Simi (Peru, directed by Augusto Zegarra) – Florida Premiere
Street Smart: Lessons from a TV Icon (United States, directed by Ernie Bustamante) – Florida Premiere
The Hollywood Rabbi (United States, directed by Jon Kean) – World Premiere
The Long Cuban Night (Spain, directed by Sergio Fernandez Borrás) – US Premiere
The Trial of Alec Baldwin (United States, directed by Rory Kennedy) – Florida Premiere
TheyDream (United States, directed by William D. Caballero) – Florida Premiere
To the West, In Zapata (Cuba, directed by David Bim) – Florida Premiere
Special Presentation Screenings
A Loose End (Un cabo suelto) (Uruguay, directed by Daniel Hendler)
AKRIS: Fashion with a Heritage (Germany, directed by Reiner Holzemer) – Florida Premiere
Bookends (United States, directed by Mike Doyle) – Florida Premiere
California Schemin’ (United Kingdom, directed by James McAvoy)
Colors of Time (France, directed by Cédric Klapisch)
Coolie (Dominican Republic, directed by Arvin Chen & Julian Acosta) – World Premiere
Coquito con Mortadella (Cuba, directed by Ana Victoria Pérez) – East Coast Premiere
Coroner to the Stars (United States, directed by Ben Hethcoat & Keita Ideno)
Fabricollage (United States, directed by Diana Colson)
Fantasy Fling (United States, directed by Michael DiLauro)
Florida Everglades (United States, directed by Wilf Gray)
Function (United States, directed by Lawrence Kleinman)
Hal & Harper (United States, directed by Cooper Raiff)
Homo Argentum (Argentina, directed by Mariano Cohn & Gastón Duprat)
It Would Be Night in Caracas (Mexico, directed by Mariana Rondón & Marité Ugás)
Kangaroo (Australia, directed by Kate Woods) – East Coast Premiere
Lunch (United States, directed by Lyla Claggett)
Los 100 años de la Torre de la Libertad (United States, directed by Adriana Mocciola, Gloria Ordaz & Patricio Muñoz)
Magnetic Telescope (United States, directed by Dave Fleischer)
Marc by Sofia (United States, directed by Sofia Coppola)
Maria Antonia (4K restoration) (Cuba, directed by Sergio Giral)
Neon Reef (United States, directed by Alex Mitow) – World Premiere
M.I.A. (United States, directed by Alethea Jones) – World Premiere
One in a Million (United States, directed by Jerrod M. Levine) – World Premiere
One Last Order (United States, directed by Lauren DeFilippo & Sam Soko) – Florida Premiere
Poetry City (United States, directed by Aaron Glickman) – World Premiere
Ramón y Ramón (Peru, directed by Salvador de Solar) – North American Premiere
The Last Viking (Denmark, directed by Anders Thomas Jensen)
Miami International Short Film Award Competition
“A Hand to Hold,” directed by Philip Clyde-Smith – East Coast Premiere
“Are You Fucking Kidding Me?,” directed by Zen Pace
“Beast of the Seine,” directed by Jon Portman – Florida Premiere
“Bus,” directed by Andre Balbuena – Florida Premiere
“By Your Side,” directed by Johanna Brinckman – Florida Premiere
“Cagüeira,” directed by Orlando Mora Cabrera – World Premiere
“Catalogue of Noses,” directed by Josie Andrews
“Flame Out,” directed by Emily Grace Goldwyn – Florida Premiere
“Hundreds,” directed by Sabina Friedman-Seitz, Neil Champagne – Florida Premiere
“Living With a Visionary,” directed by Stephen P. Neary – East Coast Premiere
“My $3,500 Jacket,” directed by Drew Maynard – World Premiere
“Night and Fog,” directed by Boris Gonzalez – East Coast Premiere
“Norheimsund,” directed by Ana A. Alpizar – Florida Premiere
“Ovary-Acting,” directed by Ida Melum – Norway, Sweden, UK – Florida Premiere
“Prime,” directed by Meagan Coyle – Florida Premiere
“See You Soon,” directed by Jennifer Skarbnik Lopez – Florida Premiere
“She’ll Come Back,” directed by Aaron Tyler Gil, Gerald Pain – United States
“Stay for the Q + A,” directed by hazart – World Premiere
“The Girl Who Cried Pearls,” directed by Chris Lavis, Maciek Szczerbowski – Florida Premiere
“The Last Game (El Último Juego),” directed by Daniel Chile – International Premiere
“The Littles,” directed by Andrew Duplessie – Florida Premiere
“The Motive,” directed by Jorge Molina – World Premiere
“The Seeing Eye Dog Who Saw Too Much,” directed by Eric Jackowitz – Florida Premiere
“The Whistle,” directed by Greg Franklin
“They’re Packing,” directed by Noah Wolfe, Gabi Carrubba – Florida Premiere
“Too Romantic,” directed by Talia Light Rake – World Premiere
“Under the Mountains’ Shadow,” directed by Andrés I. Estrada – U.S. Premiere
“Valley Fever,” directed by Antonio Pinheiro – World Premiere
Short Documentary Film Award Competition
“Arepas en bici,” directed by Jonah Moshammer, Brennan McGee – Florida Premiere
“Hilda O. Vs The State of New York,” directed by Alison Cornyn, Heather Greer – Florida Premiere
“If You Really Love Me, Outlive Me,” directed by Alejandro Ruax, Saskia d’Altena – Florida Premiere
“Oh Whale,” directed by Winslow Crane-Murdoch
“Rancor,” directed by Carlos Alejandro Halley – World Premiere
“They Call Me the Tattoo Witch,” directed by Lindsay Nyman – Florida Premiere
Taking part in the annual Florida student film $1,000 Cinemaslam Competition will be:
“Florida,” directed by Giulia Abreu
“Ghost of The Marsh,” directed by Ross Widener
“JIT,” directed by Samuel Correa
“Krome Ave.,” directed by Eva A. Martinez – Florida Premiere
“Mighty Spoonbills,” directed by Sada Balboa – World Premiere
“The Golden Touch,” directed by Sam Perez Laurenza
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