Ojai Playhouse Film Festival Returns November 9–15, Celebrating the Year in Cinema

Seven Days of Curated Films From Acclaimed Directors, International Cinema and Festival-Circuit Standouts

The Festival Follows a Landmark Year for the Historic Theater, Which Has Screened More Than 1,300 Films Since Reopening in November 2024

Tickets are available now at www.ojaiplayhouse.com

October 22, 2026 - The historic Ojai Playhouse announces the second annual Ojai Playhouse Film Festival, taking place November 9-15, bringing a curated selection of notable films from 2026 to the Ojai Valley for seven days of intimate cinema. Curated by Playhouse owner David Berger, the festival features international arthouse films, festival-circuit discoveries, award contenders and new work from acclaimed filmmakers, showcasing the breadth and creativity of contemporary cinema. The program reflects the Ojai Playhouse's commitment to making moviegoing a shared cultural experience in one of California's earliest single-screen theaters.

The festival opens November 9 with Tender Loving Care, the latest film from acclaimed British director Mike Leigh, which won the Golden Shell for Best Film at the 2026 San Sebastián Film Festival. The lineup also features Bucking Fastard, the latest from legendary filmmaker Werner Herzog, which competed at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival and received a six-and-a-half-minute standing ovation; Ink, the new film from Oscar-winning director Danny Boyle; and I Play Rocky, directed by Peter Farrelly, telling the story of Sylvester Stallone's fight to bring the original Rocky to the screen. James Gray's crime drama Paper Tiger, starring Adam Driver, Scarlett Johansson and Miles Teller, adds another high-profile title to the week's program.

International cinema is central to the festival, including Bitter Christmas, the latest from Spanish auteur Pedro Almodóvar, which premiered at Cannes earlier this year, and La Bola Negra, the queer historical drama from Spanish directing duo Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi, which won Best Director at Cannes before taking home the People's Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival. The schedule also spans animation, documentaries and repertory cinema, featuring Brad Bird's animated sci-fi mystery Ray Gunn; Julián, Louise Bagnall's adaptation of Jessica Love's children's book Julián Is a Mermaid; Dernsie: The Amazing Life of Bruce Dern, Mike Mendez's portrait of the veteran actor; and Nanette Burstein's documentary Carl Sagan: We Are Made of Star Stuff. Rounding out the week are a 35mm screening of Ken Russell's provocative, restored 1971 film The Devilsand Miami Vice: The Director's Final Cut, Michael Mann's new cut of his 2006 crime thriller, marking the film's 20th anniversary.

The announcement follows the inaugural Ojai Documentary Film Festival, presented in partnership with Hotel El Roblar, which brought an eclectic lineup of nonfiction films and filmmakers to Ojai. Together, the festivals reflect a broader vision for the Playhouse and its role in the community: creating opportunities for audiences to gather, discover new work and reconnect with the experience of watching a movie on the big screen.

The second annual festival arrives just ahead of the two-year anniversary of the Playhouse's reopening on November 22, 2024. Since reopening following an extensive restoration, the theater has screened more than 1,300 films, establishing itself as a destination for first-run cinema, repertory programming, awards-season screenings and special events. The Playhouse has also become a sought-after destination for awards-season screenings and For Your Consideration (FYC) events, offering an intimate setting for showcasing Oscar contenders and generating strong word of mouth among film lovers and industry audiences. As the premier independent cinema between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, it provides a distinctive gathering place for filmmakers, Academy members and audiences to experience films together. Earlier this year, the Playhouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places in recognition of its longstanding cultural and cinematic legacy.

Originally opened in 1914, the Playhouse has entered a new chapter as a community hub for Ojai and the surrounding region. Its programming brings together contemporary releases, international cinema, restored classics, comedy, music and beyond, guided by a belief in the enduring value of experiencing stories collectively. The film festival continues that mission, welcoming longtime movie lovers and new audiences alike to discover the range of what cinema can offer.

2026 Ojai Playhouse Film Festival Schedule

Monday, November 9

• 4:30 p.m. - Tender Loving Care, directed by Mike Leigh
• 7:15 p.m. - The Debut, directed by Jesse Eisenberg

Tuesday, November 10

• 4:30 p.m. - Everytime, directed by Sandra Wollner
• 7 p.m. - La Bola Negra, directed by Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi

Wednesday, November 11

• 2:30 p.m. - Iron Boy, directed by Louis Clichy
• 4:30 p.m. - Diary of a Chambermaid, directed by Radu Jude
• 7:15 p.m. - Bucking Fastard, directed by Werner Herzog

Thursday, November 12

• 2:30 p.m. - Mouse, directed by Alex Thompson and Kelly O'Sullivan
• 4:30 p.m. - Bitter Christmas, directed by Pedro Almodóvar
• 7:15 p.m. - I Play Rocky, directed by Peter Farrelly

Friday, November 13

• 2:30 p.m. - Dernsie: The Amazing Life of Bruce Dern, directed by Mike Mendez
• 4:30 p.m. - Rose, directed by Markus Schleinzer
• 7 p.m. - Paper Tiger, directed by James Gray
• 9:15 p.m. - The Devils (35mm), directed by Ken Russell

Saturday, November 14

• 12 p.m. - Ray Gunn, directed by Brad Bird
• 2:15 p.m. - Coward, directed by Lukas Dhont
• 4:30 p.m. - Carl Sagan: We Are Made of Star Stuff, directed by Nanette Burstein
• 7 p.m. - Club Kid, directed by Jordan Firstman
• 9:15 p.m. - Miami Vice: The Director's Final Cut, directed by Michael Mann

Sunday, November 15

• 11 a.m. - Julián, directed by Louise Bagnall
• 1 p.m. - All of a Sudden, directed by Ryusuke Hamaguchi
• 4:30 p.m. - Ink, directed by Danny Boyle
• 7:15 p.m. - Elsinore, directed by Simon Stone

Tickets and additional information are available at www.ojaiplayhouse.com

ABOUT THE OJAI PLAYHOUSE

Nestled in the heart of Ojai, California-a renowned destination for arts, entertainment, and nature lovers-the Ojai Playhouse is a historic treasure that has stood since 1914 as one of the state's earliest single-screen cinemas. After a decade-long closure, this cherished landmark was restored and reopened in November 2024, blending state-of-the-art amenities with its enduring charm. The revitalized 200-seat venue now features cutting-edge audio and visual technology, live performance capabilities, and carefully preserved architectural details that honor its century-long legacy. Offering a curated mix of first-run arthouse films, timeless classics, live events, and community gatherings, the Ojai Playhouse serves as a vibrant hub for film, arts, and connection-proudly celebrating Ojai's rich artistic spirit and cultural heritage for locals and visitors alike.

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