The 26th annual Coney Island Film Festival is set for May 1-3, offering a wide-ranging showcase of independent cinema.
This year’s festival features 92 films across multiple genres, reflecting a continued focus on diverse storytelling. Presented by indiefilmpage.com and Coney Island USA, the event highlights the connection between independent film and the area’s distinctive cultural identity.
Recognized by MovieMaker Magazine as one of the world’s coolest film festivals and among those worth the entry fee, the festival has become a seasonal draw for filmmakers and audiences.
Screenings run throughout the three-day event, covering documentary, narrative shorts and features, sci-fi, horror, animation, experimental works and music videos. Venues include Sideshows by the Seashore and the Coney Island Museum, both located within Coney Island USA’s landmark building.
Opening night includes a gathering with live performances from the Coney Island Circus Sideshow.
Among the featured selections is the world premiere of The Longest Friday of the Year, Again, a documentary by Jim McDonnell that follows a day in the life of workers in the amusement district during the summer solstice.
Other programs include a lineup of comedy shorts, a curated horror block and a screening of the 1979 film The Warriors on May 2 at 10:00pm, accompanied by an interactive audience experience. Tickets for that screening are $12.
Founded in the early 2000s through a collaboration between Coney Island USA and indiefilmpage.com founder Rob Leddy, the festival has grown into a platform for filmmakers from around the world, with screenings that frequently reach capacity.
Individual tickets start at $10, with advance purchase recommended.
