Rising from the flames of the desert sun like the mythical creature itself the 2026 Phoenix Film Festival showcased amazing filmmakers, artists, and creatives from around the globe establishing Arizona as a growing hub of the cinematic arts.

These are some of my favorite films from the festival.

Babymoon Screens at the Historic Chinese Theater for the Indie Night Film Festival, March 28th, 2026.

SJ Alexander’s recent FIRST PLACE victory at the Phoenix Film Festival for his short screenplay Melancholy signals the continuing rise of Black storytellers in the southwest and beyond.