LIFF 2026 Exceeds Expectations
LIFF 2026: Recap
Once again, the energy, curation, and organization at LIFF 2026 were outstanding. The festival saw a general increase in attendance over 2025 and expanded in several meaningful ways. The addition of a closing film on the Monday following the main weekend, held at the Sterndale Bennett Theatre at the Yates Memorial, proved exceptionally successful, while the expanded May programming drew strong participation from community members.
Tess Mitchell, LIFF Festival Director, worked incredibly hard to deliver a thoughtfully curated festival that showcased work by underrepresented and marginalized creators, alongside films by professional filmmakers working with larger budgets. She was truly boots on the ground at every event, working closely with each venue and ensuring a consistently high‑quality experience for attendees.
LIFF 2026 demonstrated just how powerful film and community can be when they come together. The festival had a meaningful impact on our small community, contributing to the cultural fabric, sparking conversations, and welcoming new audiences into shared cultural spaces. We congratulate the dedicated festival staff and volunteers for their tremendous work, the filmmakers who trusted LIFF with their stories, and the many guests who traveled from out of town to take part. Their collective energy made this year’s festival truly special. We’re already looking ahead with excitement to what LIFF 2027 will bring.
Here are some photos in commemoration of the event:
