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armelC

2026

Film Festival

International

Oct

1-4

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Festival is October 1-4, 2026

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Carmel International Film Festival is proudly sponsored by Mercedes-Benz of Monterey.

Principal Sponsor

Mercedes-Benz of Monterey and Carmel International Film Festival both share a storied history. As one of the oldest Mercedes-Benz dealerships in the United States (started in 1957) paired with the oldest film festival in the world (started in 1929), we are committed to supporting and celebrating the arts in one of the most beautiful destinations on the planet, Carmel-by-the-Sea and the greater Monterey Peninsula.

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May 1, 2026

Early Bird Film Submittal Deadline

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Past Festival Highlights and Special Guests

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  • Byron Merritt – Executive Producer of DUNE and grandson of DUNE creator Frank Herbert
  • Bill Morrison – Former Art Director from The Simpsons, Futurama, and former Executive Editor of MAD Magazine
  • Stephen Altman – Son of Legendary Director Robert Altman, Academy Award-nominee for Gosford Park, and Production Designer for Capone
  • Steven Gaydos – Former Executive Editor for Variety Magazine
  • Bernard Robichaud – Known to fans worldwide as “Cyrus” from the hit TV show on Showcase and Netflix, Trailer Park Boys
  • Craig Kilborn – Original host of The Daily Show on Comedy Central, former host of The Late, Late Show on CBS, and actor in the hit movie Old School
  • Van Partible – Creator of the hit animated comedy on the Cartoon Network, Johnny Bravo
  • Mark Duplass – Emmy Award and Peabody Award winning Producer, and Emmy Award/Golden Globe nominated Series Regular Actor on Apple TV’s The Morning Show
  • Katie Aselton – Actor on Apple TV’s Government Cheese and The Morning Show
  • Mimi Kennedy – Critic’s Choice Award-nominee and Series Regular Actor on Mom and Dharma & Greg
  • Bettina Devin – Award-nominated, San Francisco-based Actor best known for Rent, and An Evening with Beverly Luff Linn
  • Mark Mancina – Composer of Disney’s The Lion King, Moana 1&2, and producer of The Lion King Musical
  • Graham Yost – Writer of the iconic movie Speed, and the Executive Producer of Silo, Slow Horses, Justified, and The Americans
  • Fred Wolf – Actor/Feature Player and Former Head Writer on SNL, Writer/Director of The House Bunny, Joe Dirt 2: Beautiful Loser, and Writer of Joe Dirt, Grown Ups 1&2, and on Tommy Boy

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Festival Volunteers Wanted!

The 2025 Carmel International Film Festival (CIFFest) is looking for volunteers who are interested in being part of the 2025 festival by working with the Production Team to bring back the world’s oldest International Film Festival to Carmel.

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What People Said

This week at Carmel International Film Festival was without a doubt THE BEST festival to date. Lovingly created and executed by directors Lawrence Roeck and Annette Andersen Caton , it was a joy from beginning to end, at least for as long as we were able to stay. The elegant Founders Theatre at the Golden Bough Playhouse , all redone with a wonderful screen and GREAT projection, a bursting program of not only wonderful films, but important industry panels, parties galore, THE NICEST volunteers, and just super vibes all around. Dan Pavlik and I were really honored to be there, and the audience gave us all the laughs and tears intended by our brilliant writer, @Leo.eigen_ The Q&A was a total blast. Highly recommend this fest to all filmmakers who want your project to be treated with the utmost respect and love! Thank you, Thank you Annette and Lawrence and your entire team for a most memorable experience! We can’t wait to make our next feature so we can come back!

Had a blast today at the Carmel International Film Festival (CIFFest) with my dear friend. I met some very talented creators, directors, actors and watched some excellent short films…

The producers, managers, organizers and volunteers have produced a wonderful Carmel By The Sea annual event.

#CIFFest started yesterday and I’m having a ton of fun!

I’m so honored the screenplay based on my book One Mad Apple received an Honorable Mention award. The whole film festival experience was a blast and well executed and coordinated. A special shoutout to Lawrence Roeck and Annette Andersen for reviving the Carmel Film Festival.

At the heart of the city of Carmel, the Festival took place in October with an impressive variety of films and divergent ages of the filmmakers. I feel honored that my film was selected. The festival offered lots of opportunities to meet and connect with people and filmmakers, as well as a friendly staff always ready to help!

This festival was better than expected! Friendly staff and a beautiful venue! A good mix of films. Looking forward to next year’s festival.

We were honored to receive the award for Best Documentary at the 2024 Carmel International Film Festival and travelled from out of state to attend. The festival was hosted in a charming venue with a friendly staff to match. Q&As were thoughtful and engaging and the Carmel team did a great job of selecting a diverse set of truly interesting films covering a range of topics. Would absolutely recommend submitting and attending!

This was such a great festival! All of the staff were so welcoming and the everything was well organized and super fun! I highly recommend submitting to this festival!

Our deepest thanks to the Carmel International Film Festival for selecting our award winning short documentary, Operation Overlord: OSS and the Battle for France.

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