Film lovers have another reason to plan a fall trip to the Florida Keys. The annual Key West Film Festival returns for five days of screenings, filmmaker conversations, special events, and celebrations across Key West. The festival has become a notable stop on the fall film circuit, pairing contemporary cinema with Key West’s arts and culture scene. If you are searching for things to do in Key West in November, this event offers something different to add to your itinerary.
About the Key West Film Festival
The festival celebrates independent filmmaking, Florida talent, international cinema, documentaries, shorts, and films gaining attention during awards season. It also gives audiences opportunities to hear directly from filmmakers and industry professionals through Q&As, panels, and workshops.
The official Key West Film Festival dates for 2026 are November 18 through November 22. The five-day schedule makes it easy to combine several screenings with dining, sightseeing, and time on the water.
Programs such as Critics’ Focus and Costume Design Focus add another layer to the experience. The festival also supports emerging filmmakers, including local students, through scholarships and awards.
What Movies Are Showing?
As of August 2026, the complete 2026 movie lineup has not yet been announced. FilmFreeway lists October 12 as the notification date for this year’s festival, so more programming details are expected closer to the event.
Based on the festival’s established programming, visitors can expect a mix of narrative features, documentaries, international films, Florida-made projects, shorts, and student films. Recent festivals have also featured major awards-season titles, making this a good opportunity to see talked-about movies before their wider release.
Guests staying in our Old Town Key West vacation homes can also make a full day of the festival by pairing screenings with nearby restaurants, galleries, historic attractions, and Duval Street.
Special Guests, Filmmakers, and Festival Honorees
The 2026 guests and Golden Key Award recipients have not yet been officially announced. In past years, the festival has welcomed actors, directors, critics, costume designers, and other film professionals for awards and public discussions.
Past guests have included Marisa Tomei, John Waters, Alan Cumming, Burt Reynolds, Judy Blume, Sebastian Junger, and Paul Verhoeven.
Travelers considering luxury vacation rentals in Key West may want to reserve early rather than wait for the guest announcements, especially if they plan to attend several festival events.
Where Are Key West Film Festival Screenings Held?
Screenings and events are held at venues around Key West rather than at one large festival complex. The 2026 festival is expected to use multiple locations, with the historic San Carlos Institute on Duval Street identified as an anchor venue.
That setup gives visitors a chance to explore the city between films. Staying near Old Town can simplify getting to screenings, while waterfront vacation rentals in Key West offer an appealing option for groups that want more space and easy access to boating and outdoor activities between festival events.
Plan Your Visit
Plan a film festival getaway by booking directly today!
Final Thoughts
The Key West Film Festival combines movies with one of the most distinctive settings on the fall festival calendar. Visitors can watch new films, attend filmmaker discussions, explore Key West between screenings, and enjoy warm November weather.
Because the complete 2026 lineup and special guests are still forthcoming, check the festival’s official website as November approaches for screening times, ticket information, passes, and programming updates.
Book Your Stay with Key West Vacation Homes
Turn film festival weekend into a full Key West getaway with Key West Vacation Homes. Our collection gives families, couples, and groups room to relax while keeping Key West’s restaurants, attractions, and entertainment within easy reach.
Choose from premium homes and condos, including Bayfront Suites on a private marina for guests interested in bringing a boat. We also offer pet-friendly Key West vacation rentals for travelers who want their four-legged family members along for the trip.
