Telluride Film Festival 2026 Lineup Includes ‘Debut,’ ‘Elsinore’

The Telluride Film Festival 2026 lineup includes world premieres of Elsinore, starring Andrew Scott, and The Debut, starring Julianne Moore.

Telluride, CO – Telluride Film Festival, presented by the National Film Preserve, today announces its official program selections for the 53rd Telluride Film Festival (TFF). TFF’s annual celebration of artistic excellence unites filmmakers, cinephiles and artists to discover the best in world cinema in the stunning mountain town of Telluride, Colorado.

The 53rd Telluride Film Festival, dedicated to Dean Tavoularis, will screen more than sixty feature films, short films and revival programs representing countries from around the world, alongside Tributes, Guest Director selections, Conversations, Panels, Student Programs and Festivities. This year’s Festival runs Friday, September 4 through Monday, September 7, 2026.

The 53rd Telluride Film Festival is proud to present the following new feature films and long-formworks to play in its main program, the SHOW:

• A LONG WINTER (d. Andrew Haigh, U.K., 2026)

• ACT 3 (d. Christine Molloy, Joe Lawlor, Ireland/U.K., 2026)

• ALPHA GANG (d. David Zellner, Nathan Zellner, U.S., 2026)

• AVEDON (d. Ron Howard, U.S., 2026)

• BUCKING FASTARD (d. Werner Herzog, Ireland/U.S., 2026)

• BURGUNDY (d. Michael Dweck, Gregory Kershaw, France, 2026)

• CARL SAGAN: WE ARE MADE OF STAR STUFF (d. Nanette Burstein, U.S., 2026)

• CLUB KID (d. Jordan Firstman, U.S., 2026)

• THE DEBUT (d. Jesse Eisenberg, U.S., 2026)

• THE DISCIPLE (d. Joanna Natasegara, U.K./U.S./Morocco, 2026)

• ELSINORE (d. Simon Stone, U.K., 2026)

• EVEREST: THE OTHER SIDE (d. Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, Jimmy Chin, U.S./China/Nepal, 2026)

• FATHERLAND (d. Paweł Pawlikowski, Poland/France/Germany/Italy, 2026)

• FJORD (d. Cristian Mungiu, Romania/France/Norway/Sweden/Denmark, 2026)

• GENTLE MONSTER (d. Marie Kreutzer, Austria/Germany/France, 2026)

• THE IDIOT(S) (d. Małgorzata Szumowska, Michał Englert, Poland/Germany, 2026)

• INK (d. Danny Boyle, U.K./U.S./France, 2026)

• LA BOLA NEGRA (d. Javier Ambrossi, Javier Calvo, Spain/France, 2026)

• THE LIBERATION (d. Guy Nattiv, U.S., 2026)

• MAKING MARIE ANTOINETTE (d. Sofia Coppola, Italy/U.S., 2026)

• THE MAN I LOVE (d. Ira Sachs, U.S., 2026)

• MINOTAUR (d. Andrey Zvyagintsev, France/Germany/Latvia, 2026)

• MY UNDESIRABLE FRIENDS: PART II – EXILE (d. Julia Loktev, U.S., 2026)

• ONCE UPON A TIME IN HARLEM (d. David Greaves, Liani Greaves, U.S., 2026)

• THE ONLY LIVING PICKPOCKET IN NEW YORK (d. Noah Segan, U.S., 2026)

• PETE TOWNSHEND: BEHIND BLUE EYES (d. Frank Marshall, Nigel Sinclair, U.S./U.K., 2026)

• REHEARSALS FOR A REVOLUTION (d. Pegah Ahangarani, Czech Republic/Spain, 2026)

• ROSE (d. Markus Schleinzer, Austria/Germany, 2026)

• THE ROW (d. Bryan Fogel, U.S./Australia/Ireland, 2026)

• THE STORY OF DOCUMENTARY FILM (d. Mark Cousins, Scotland/U.K., 2026)

• SUMO: SPIRIT WEIGHS NOTHING (d. Erik Shirai, U.S./Japan/U.K./Denmark, 2026)

• TENDER LOVING CARE (d. Mike Leigh, U.K., 2026)

• TENZING (d. Jennifer Peedom, U.S./Australia, 2026)

• THE UNKNOWN (d. Arthur Harari, France/Italy, 2026)

• WILD HORSE NINE (d. Martin McDonagh, Chile/U.S., 2026)

Also playing in the main program are two newly restored features: BEGOTTEN (d. E. Elias Merhige, U.S., 1989/2026)  and BEAU GESTE (d. Herbert Brenon, U.S., 1926), with live musical accompaniment by Donald Sosin; short films: A SONG FOR THE SNOW LION (d. Pawo Choyning Dorji, Bhutan/U.S., 2026), A DANCE THROUGH TIME (d. Sarah Gavron, U.K., 2026), MAYBE TOMORROW (d. Wafa Mustafa, Waad Al-Kateab, U.K., 2026), SAWYER AVENUE, SUNDAY AFTERNOON (d. Bill Morrison, U.S., 2026), LOVE, RENDERED (d. Liz Garbus, U.S., 2026), THE REVOLUTION AGAINST DEATH (d. Joshua Oppenheimer, Denmark/Sweden, 2026), and Ben Proudfoot’s THE BUFFALO MIRACLE (U.S., 2026) and WITT V. AIR FORCE (U.S., 2026).

The 53rd Telluride Film Festival will honor three extraordinary artists whose work has made a significant contribution to the art of cinema. The 2026 Silver Medallions will be presented to acclaimed British writer-director Andrew Haigh, with A LONG WINTER; internationally celebrated German actor Sandra Hüller, with ROSE; and iconic actor, producer and director John Malkovich, with WILD HORSE NINE. Each Tribute program will include a compilation of clips, an on-stage interview and a screening of the recipient’s new work.

Telluride Film Festival is also pleased to welcome acclaimed actor, writer and director Rebecca Hall as this year’s Guest Director. A cherished Festival tradition, the Guest Director program invites a distinguished artist to curate a special selection of films, offering audiences a fresh lens through which to explore cinema history. Her curated program is presented in partnership with Turner Classic Movies, the Festival’s proud sponsor of the Guest Director section this year. Hall will present the following selections:

• AKENFIELD (d. Peter Hall, U.K., 1974)

• MARGARET (d. Kenneth Lonergan, U.S., 2011)

• PORTRAIT OF JASON (d. Shirley Clarke, U.S., 1967)

• THE SERVANT (d. Joseph Losey, U.K., 1963)

• SYNECDOCHE, NEW YORK (d. Charlie Kaufman, U.S., 2008)

• WHAT’S UP, DOC? (d. Peter Bogdanovich, U.S., 1972)

“This is what we look forward to all year—the chance to bring people together in Telluride and discover films, filmmakers and ideas that we may not have encountered otherwise,” said Festival Director Julie Huntsinger. “There are films in this year’s program that I know audiences will be talking about long after they leave the theater, and there are others that may completely surprise them. That sense of discovery is at the heart of the Festival, and we’re grateful to those who make the pilgrimage. We’re thrilled to welcome our Tribute artists, Guest Director Rebecca Hall, and so many extraordinary filmmakers and guests, but what makes the weekend special is the very simple act of sitting down together, turning off the lights and seeing what happens on the screen. We can’t wait to share this year’s Festival with everyone who makes the trip to Telluride.”

Telluride Film Festival’s Filmmakers of Tomorrow program, sponsored by Google, celebrates emerging voices in cinema through Student Prints, now in its 33rd year, curated by Gregory Nava, and Calling Cards, curated by Barry Jenkins. This year, the Festival also presents Great Expectations, a special program of three exceptional short films curated and introduced by Jenkins.

Telluride Film Festival’s Education Programs, sponsored  by WBD Access, present students with the opportunity to experience film as an art form and expand their worldviews through screenings and discussions with filmmakers and Festival guests, including: Student Symposium – a weekend-long immersion in cinema for 50 graduate and undergraduate students, with additional support from Golden Globe Foundation; City Lights Project – connecting 18 high school students and six teachers with Festival films and special guests, underwritten by the Artemis Rising Foundation; and FilmLAB – in partnership with the American Film Institute, providing exceptional AFI Fellows with opportunities to learn from world-class filmmakers in a masterclass setting.

Backlot, Telluride’s intimate screening room featuring behind-the-scenes movies and portraits of artists, musicians and filmmakers, will present the following programs, all free and open to the public:

• THE GOLDEN AGE (d. Bérenger Thouin, France/Italy, 2026), preceded by THE STARS WATCH FROM LONG AGO (d. Stacey Steers, U.S., 2026)

• HOUSE OF CRITICISM (d. Alison Chernick, U.S., 2026)

• THE ILLUSION OF AN EVERLASTING SUMMER (d. Alessandra Sanguinetti, Argentina/U.S., 2026)

• INTO THE BREACH (d. Freddie Fox, U.K., 2026)

• MAVERICK: THE EPIC ADVENTURES OF DAVID LEAN (d. Barnaby Thompson, U.K., 2026), preceded by TO ESCAPE (d. David C. Roberts, U.S., 2026)

• THE NATURAL STATE (d. Matthew Dougherty, U.S., 2026)

• ONE MORE TIME (d. Cindy Kleine and André Gregory, U.S., 2026)

•  ZERO INTENTION OF LIVING QUIETLY (d. Edward Lovelace, U.K., 2026)

Telluride Film Festival’s Talking Heads programs allow attendees to go behind the scenes with the Festival’s special guests. Noon Seminars, sponsored by Apple Original Films, bring Festival guests together to discuss cinema, art and life. Conversations, sponsored by Indian Paintbrush, offer audiences an opportunity to engage in in-depth dialogue with Festival guests. Acting!, a special panel this year, sponsored by Turner Classic Movies, will also be presented during the Festival.

Special Screenings and Festivities include:

• 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY (d. Stanley Kubrick, U.K./U.S., 1968)

• ACROSS THE UNIVERSE (d. Julie Taymor, U.S./U.K., 2007)

• THE BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI (d. David Lean, U.K./U.S., 1957)

• CHRISTINE (d. Antonio Campos, U.S., 2016)

• MARIE ANTOINETTE (d. Sofia Coppola, U.S., 2006)

• MOONLIGHT (d. Barry Jenkins, U.S., 2016), celebrating the 10th anniversary of its Telluride premiere

• TEENAGE SEX AND DEATH AT CAMP MIASMA (d. Jane Schoenbrun, U.S./Canada, 2026)

• Filmmaking and Technology With Empathy: AI For Societal Benefit, sponsored by Google

• The Humanity Dilemma, a multi-media presentation

• Marfa Stance Studio: A Groundbreaking Collaboration, including a Roundtable discussion with Women Directors

• Roger Corman at 100 panel followed by THE INTRUDER (U.S., 1962)

• Step Inside The F-Stop, an immersive cinematic traveling Airstream experience celebrating Focus Features films

• WILDWOOD: Inside The Frame, a beautiful exhibition celebrating the handmade artistry behind LAIKA’s upcoming release including a live discussion with its creators

TFF is honored to feature some of the world’s most renowned consumer and entertainment brands and to engage a vibrant philanthropic community of passionate and committed donors. Together, they play an essential  role in the life of the Festival and underscore TFF’s commitment to quality, adventure, and distinction in the art of cinema. With great excitement TFF welcomes to the SHOW new major partners, Apple Original Films, LAIKA, Marfa Stance, and Volvo Cars as Festival Automotive Partner. We are deeply appreciative of our many continuing partnerships including Barco, with all screenings at the Palm and Werner Herzog Theaters presented in stunning Laser by Barco projection, CRITERION sponsoring the Masons Hall Cinema, Mandarin Oriental as Worldwide Hospitality Partner, MUBI at the Sheridan Opera House, National Geographic Documentary Films at the Chuck Jones’ Cinema plus sponsoring the Opening Night Feed, Panavision as Festival Camera, WBD Access, and we remain proud to enjoy Meyer Sound’s exceptional audio experience at the Galaxy, a venue sponsored by Amazon MGM Studios, and at the Werner Herzog Theater, sponsored by Netflix, this year featuring an all-new, state-of-the-art Meyer Sound ASTRYA-140 loudspeaker system with Dolby Atmos immersive sound.

“We are profoundly grateful for the extraordinary partnerships and remarkable individuals who participate in our shared endeavor and are thrilled to welcome new collaborators who bring fresh inspiration and possibility into the Telluride Film Festival family,” says Huntsinger. “As we launch the 53rd edition, the generosity of our corporate, institutional, and philanthropic supporters continues to guide our way forward. With major construction underway on our permanent home in the historic Nugget Building, our vision is quickly becoming a reality – and our capital campaign has reached a critical final stretch.”

The Nugget Project marks an exciting new chapter for the Telluride Film Festival, creating a lasting home where cinema, creativity and community will thrive year-round. Rooted in the historic Nugget Building, this landmark initiative will bring filmmakers, audiences, students, and neighbors together to discover, learn, create, and experience the magic of movies on the big screen. The new center will feature dedicated artist residency spaces, expanded educational programming, community events, and a state-of-the-art Atmos Nugget Theater- ensuring that a love of cinema continues to inspire generations to come. This vision is being brought to life through the extraordinary support of longtime partners Dolby and Meyer Sound, along with the generosity of Harkness Screens and Salter.

For more information, visit telluridefilmfestival.org

About Telluride Film Festival

The prestigious Telluride Film Festival ranks among the world’s best film festivals and is an annual gathering for film industry insiders, cinema enthusiasts, filmmakers and critics. TFF is considered a major launching ground for the fall season’s most talked-about films. Founded in 1974, Telluride Film Festival, presented in the beautiful mountain town of Telluride, Colorado, is a four-day international educational event celebrating the art of film. Telluride Film Festival’s long-standing commitment is to join filmmakers and film connoisseurs together to experience great cinema. The exciting schedule, kept secret until just before Opening Day, consists of filmmakers presenting their newest works, special Guest Director programs, major artist Tributes, special events and remarkable treasures from the past. Telluride Film Festival is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational program. Festival headquarters are in Berkeley, CA.

About Our Sponsors

Telluride Film Festival is supported by Signature Sponsors: Meyer Sound, National Geographic Documentary Films, Netflix; Festival Automotive Partner: Volvo Cars; Major Sponsors: Amazon MGM Studios, Apple Original Films, Google, Indian Paintbrush, LAIKA, Mandarin Oriental, Marfa Stance, MUBI, Panavision, Turner Classic Movies, WBD Access; Festival Sponsors: American Film Institute, BAFTA North America, Barco, CRITERION, Dell Technologies, Destination Systems, Dolby, Focus Features, Four Seasons Private Residences Telluride, goodr, Harkness Screens, Maybourne, Vanity Fair; Hospitality Partners: Alpine Lodging Telluride, AvantStay, New Sheridan Hotel; plus Fever-Tree Premium Mixers, HOKA, ImageNet, Impossible Foods, Novo Coffee, Patagonia, Raeburn Winery, RAIN Pure Mountain Spring Water, Ratio Beerworks, Rocky Mountain Soda Co., Salt & Straw, Spectrum, Spracklen Film and Video, The Caviar Co., Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Two Leaves and a Bud, and Vimeo Staff Picks among others. The organization is supported by grants from Artemis Rising Foundation, The BFI, Colorado Office of Film, Television and Media, German Film Office, Golden Globe Foundation, Hobson Lucas Family Foundation, Telluride Mountain Village Owners Association, Villa Albertine and Film France – CNC, and Virginia Wellington Cabot Foundation.