FESTIVAL PASSES: DC Independent Film Festival Annual Forum Feb. 11-16, 2026

The is coming from February 11-16, 2026! Buy one of our 2026 passes & take advantage of this year’s exclusive perks beginning the day you choose! Plus, now we’re offering more pass options, including young adult & student passes, to help fit everyone’s budget!

Purchase before December 31 at 11:59 PM to take advantage of our special Holiday Pass Sale. Use this presale code at checkout to get 10% off the regular pass price:

CHEER10DCIFF

The 2026 DCIFF Annual Forum marks its 27th year in the Nation’s Capital and is the longest-running independent film festival in Washington, DC.

Our festival screens a variety of genres, including fiction, documentary, web series, and animation. Whether it’s feature-length or short films, DCIFF champions truly independent work from filmmakers near and far.

In addition, we have an enriching series of seminars, workshops, and masterclasses for filmmakers, industry professionals, and the public. This year’s seminars will include a wide range of topics, including film financing, immersive film, Foley, and guerrilla filmmaking, among others.

Plus, we love to celebrate our indie vibe with parties, happy hours, and more unique events! Join us!

Pass Options:

1. ALL-ACCESS PREMIUM PASS $150
2. 2-DAY WEEKEND PASS $90 (our most popular pass!)
3. 1-DAY WEEKEND PASS $65
4. SEMINAR-ONLY PASS $90
5. YOUNG ADULT PASS (18-25) (must show ID) $60
6. HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT PASS (must show ID) $30

Skip the ticket lines! Good for full festival, Wednesday, Feb. 11 - Monday, Feb. 16

— Invitation to Opening Night Party + Film

— Unlimited screenings — including premiere screenings

— Priority access at all Festival theaters without reserving a seat*

— Access to ALL seminars and roundtables

— Access to ALL events, parties, and happy hours, including those with filmmakers

— Access to Q&As with filmmakers

— Free 2026 Annual Forum t-shirt

Excludes: Filmmaker Lounge Access and Filmmaker Awards Ceremony

* For priority access, all passholders must be in the appropriate line at least 15 minutes before a film’s published start time. After that time, admission is on a first-come, first-served basis.

2. 2-Day Weekend Pass $90 (Our Most popular pass!)

Good for Saturday, Feb. 14th AND Sunday, Feb. 15th, 2026

— Unlimited screenings for all Saturday and Sunday films and shorts programs

— Priority access at all Festival theaters without reserving a seat*

— Access to all seminars and roundtables (Saturday and Sunday only)

— Access to ALL events, parties, and happy hours, not including filmmaker-only events (Saturday and Sunday only)

— Access to Q&As with filmmakers

— Includes any closing night film screenings and parties

— Free 2026 Annual Forum t-shirt

Excludes: Filmmaker Lounge Access and Filmmaker Awards Ceremony

* For priority access, all passholders must be in the appropriate line at least 15 minutes before a film’s published start time. After that time, admission is on a first-come, first-served basis.

3. 1-Day Weekend Pass $65

Good for Saturday, Feb. 14th OR Sunday, Feb. 15th, 2026 — you choose

— Unlimited screenings all-day Saturday or Sunday for regular-priced films and shorts programs

— Priority access at all Festival theaters without reserving a seat*

— Access to all seminars and roundtables (Saturday or Sunday only)

— Access to all events, parties, and happy hours, not including filmmaker-only events (Saturday or Sunday only)

— Access to Q&As with filmmakers

— Free 2026 Annual Forum t-shirt

Excludes: Filmmaker Lounge Access and Filmmaker Awards Ceremony

* For priority access, all passholders must be in the appropriate line at least 15 minutes before a film’s published start time. After that time, admission is on a first-come, first-served basis.

4. Seminar-only Pass (Thursday & Friday) $90

Good for Thursday, Feb. 12th and Friday, Feb. 13th, 2026

— Access to all seminars, roundtables, and discussions (Thursday & Friday)

— Free 2026 Annual Forum t-shirt

* This pass does not include any film screenings. Film tickets must be purchased separately.

5. Young Adult Pass (18-25, must show ID**) $60

Good for full festival, Wednesday, Feb. 11 - Monday, Feb. 16

Special access for budding filmmakers and film lovers! This special pass offer is for attendees aged 18–25 (age verification required for purchase), who want to experience all that the DCIFF Annual Forum has to offer.

— Unlimited screenings — including premiere screenings

— Priority access at all Festival theaters without reserving a seat*

— Access to ALL seminars and roundtables

— Access to ALL events, parties, and happy hours, including those with filmmakers (must be 21 years or older to consume alcohol)

— Access to Q&As with filmmakers

— Free 2026 Annual Forum t-shirt

Excludes: Filmmaker Lounge Access and Filmmaker Awards Ceremony

* For priority access, all passholders must be in the appropriate line at least 15 minutes before a film’s published start time. After that time, admission is on a first-come, first-served basis.

**MUST SHOW ID AT DCIFF BOX OFFICE. Will call only.

6. High School Student Pass (must show student ID*) $30

Good for full festival, Wednesday, Feb. 11 - Monday, Feb. 16

— Unlimited screenings — including premiere screenings

— Entry into all seminars, roundtables, and discussions

— Access to Q&As with filmmakers

— Free 2026 Annual Forum t-shirt

Excludes: Filmmaker Lounge Access and Filmmaker Awards Ceremony

*MUST SHOW STUDENT ID AT DCIFF BOX OFFICE. Will call only.

Influencers: Are you a film or event influencer in the DC area? Contact ZGNpZmYgISBmb3J1bSB8IGdtYWlsICEgY29t to find out how you can get a free festival pass!

Press: Please contact ZGNpZmYgISBmb3J1bSB8IGdtYWlsICEgY29t to obtain a press pass for the festival.

Buying a pass as a gift? If you would like to give passes as a gift to someone, please remember to add the recipient's name on the order form. For questions, please email ZGNpZmYgISBvdXRyZWFjaCB8IGdtYWlsICEgY29t.

Important Information:

• Passholders with priority access are not required to reserve individual tickets or RSVP for any screening, seminar, or event
• For priority access to the theater, all passholders must be in the appropriate line at least 15 minutes before a film’s published start time. After that time, admission is on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Passes may be picked up at any time during the Festival from one of the Festival check-in desks.
• Each pass allows access for one (1) attendee
• A photo ID is required to obtain all passes at the check-in desk during the Festival.
• Refunds on passes will be allowed until February 3, 2026.
• Passes are non-transferable once activated at the Festival.
• Pass sales end online Sunday, February 8th. After that date, passes can be purchased at the box office on-site.

Tickets for individual films will be available for purchase beginning January 22, 2026.

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