Film festival

Desert Lantern Film Festival

November 25–29, 2026

Five days of independent film under the red rocks. 16 features and 9 shorts from first-time filmmakers and festival favorites, with filmmakers in person for Q&As after most screenings.

Open with the world premiere of The Salt Road at the Opening Night Gala, catch a midnight shorts block in our 90-seat micro-cinema, and close the week under the stars with Saguaro Sky.

Buy single screening tickets, or save with an All-Access Pass, a Saturday Day Pass, the Shorts Pass or a 10-Film Pass. Students and Film Society members get reduced prices at every screening.

Passes

Choose your pass.

Saturday Day Pass

Saturday, Nov 28

$65

Every Saturday screening, shorts program and panel. Reserve your seats online.

  • Every screening on Saturday
  • Reserve your spot at screenings ahead of time
  • Mobile pass with QR check-in

Shorts Pass

Shorts Program

$30

All three shorts programs: Home Front, Desert Voices and Late Night Weird.

  • Every Shorts Program screening
  • Reserve your spot at screenings ahead of time
  • Mobile pass with QR check-in

10-Film Pass

10 screenings, any time

$110

Any 10 screenings, any day. Shorts programs count as one. Not valid for the Opening Night Gala or Closing Night.

  • Any 10 Narrative Feature, Documentary, Shorts Program screenings, any day, walk in or reserve ahead
  • Reserve your spot at screenings ahead of time
  • Mobile pass with QR check-in

Schedule

Five days, 40 sessions.

7:00 PM – 9:45 PM

Opening Night Gala: The Salt Road

The Salt Road

9:45 PM – 11:16 PM

Night Shift at the Starlight Motel

Night Shift at the Starlight Motel

Full

Sponsors

With thanks to our partners.

Arroyo Credit Union
Night Owl Roasters
KDSR Desert Public Radio
Saguaro Print Works