The Coronado Island Film Festival (CIFF) announced its 2025 official film lineup, marking its milestone 10th anniversary.
Over five days (Nov. 5-9), CIFF will present a slate of more than 130 films across narrative features, documentaries, short films and Academy Award-contending titles. The Leonard Maltin Industry Tribute Gala, hosted by celebrated film critic and historian Leonard Maltin, will also take place on Nov. 5 at the Hotel del Coronado.
The festival will open on Thursday, Nov. 6 with a screening of “Dead Man’s Wire.” On Sunday, Nov. 9, the festival will close with a screening of “Sentimental Value.”
Centerpiece films include “The Secret Agent” and “Jay Kelly,” with key spotlight screenings taking place throughout the festival including award season hopefuls like “Arco,” “Blue Moon,” “The Choral,” “The Tale of Silyan” and “Train Dreams.”
Additional highlights include the Culinary Cinema series, exclusive industry panels, Paul McCartney’s “Tug of War,” the ShortsFest Exhibition, and more.
“Reaching our tenth year is more than a milestone — it’s a testament to resilience, reinvention and the enduring power of story,” said Merridee Book, CEO and artistic director of the Coronado Island Film Festival. “This lineup reflects both where we’ve been and where we’re going: bold, diverse and future-facing. CIFF continues to honor the golden age of cinema while building a bridge to what’s next — through independent voices, innovation and community connection. The way we experience movies may evolve, but the magic of sharing them together in a theater remains irreplaceable. That collective heartbeat is why festivals like ours matter now more than ever.”
Independent and spotlight films
The festival champions independent cinema as its creative heartbeat, with over 100 indie titles spanning genres and perspectives from local and international filmmakers.
Notable local selections include “American Solitaire,” “All Eyes On Me,” “Alone Together,” “Aunt Cindy and the Alchemist,” “Culinary Art School in Tijuana Celebrates 20 Years,” “Homeward Dawn,” “Ripple” and “Stone Garden.”
Attendees can also experience studio premieres already generating Oscar buzz, offering a front-row seat to awards season while celebrating independent storytelling. Local shorts to watch include “The Second Sunday of May,” “Is It True?,” “Aunt Cindy and the Alchemist,” “The Gun,” “Crane,” “Stone Garden,” “Handwoven” and “Camp Widow.”
To see the full schedule or purchase festival tickets, visit festival.coronadofilmfest.com.
