The 17th Annual New Media Film Festival® has announced its second wave of early selections for 2026, featuring a lineup of global creators and premiere titles that underscore the festival's position as one of Los Angeles' most forward-looking cultural institutions. The 2026 edition will take place at The Culver Theater, a historic venue known for hosting influential film events, continuing the festival's hybrid model of distinct in-person and online programming that expands global reach while maintaining industry relevance.
This year's early selections demonstrate the festival's commitment to bold, international talent whose work resonates across continents, platforms, and creative disciplines. The lineup includes a striking visual teaser from legendary Talking Heads frontman David Byrne, marking a new creative chapter from one of music's most enduring innovators. The festival will also feature the world premiere of "Cannibal," a high-voltage collaboration between Pendulum & Wargasm that has generated more than 662 million views in seven months, highlighting the power of cross-genre, cross-platform storytelling.
The Los Angeles premiere of the Limitless Podcast will feature creator Lori Moilov joined by Special Guest Bob Weis, former President of Walt Disney Imagineering, for a conversation exploring imagination as a renewable resource and the future of experiential storytelling. Additional selections include CEOL from Ireland, a visually rich animation originally created for the recent World Fair that blends cultural heritage with next-generation design, and Stark Files from Spain, a world premiere web series offering a kinetic, documentary-style exploration of the rise of electric bikes and the new era of mainstream racing culture sweeping Europe.
Now in its 17th year, the New Media Film Festival® has earned a reputation for elevating creators who shape the future of media, with a legacy that includes honoring pioneers such as Jeff Bridges and assembling jurors from Marvel, HBO, the Emmys, the Grammys, PBS, and the BBC. EMMY Nominee David Leon noted that David Byrne's ability to turn creativity into connection is rare and inspiring, stating that seeing that spirit represented at this year's festival is significant given Byrne's history of reimagining cities, amplifying global voices, and creating transformative works.
The festival's commitment to transparency, creator trust, and meaningful industry pathways continues to distinguish it within the media landscape. New verification systems, authenticated reviews, and identity-confirmed leadership support a clear, accountable ecosystem for filmmakers and digital creators navigating increasingly complex media environments. This approach has made the festival a trusted platform for creators who value innovation, authenticity, and the power of story to connect audiences worldwide.
The two-day event scheduled for June 3 (online) and June 4, 2026, at The Culver Theater will feature world premieres, exclusive screenings, red carpet arrivals, a VIP soirée, creator conversations, live Q&A sessions, classic cinema showcases, tech-driven presentations, an awards ceremony, and cross-industry networking that has historically led to distribution deals, funding opportunities, casting breakthroughs, and long-term creative partnerships. Submissions are accepted through April 6, with schedule locks occurring in mid-April. Tickets, programming updates, and submission details are available at https://www.NewMediaFilmFestival.com.
Since its founding in 2009, the New Media Film Festival® has been dedicated to discovering, showcasing, and supporting the world's most compelling storytellers. As the first major festival to embrace the full spectrum of new media technologies, it has consistently led the industry in recognizing groundbreaking work and pioneering new pathways for global content distribution and monetization. The festival's mission remains rooted in integrity and respect for the creative process, celebrating creators who challenge convention, elevate the craft, and use technology to expand what storytelling can achieve, earning participation from judges representing HBO, BBC, PBS, Marvel, AMPAS, the Television Academy, and other leaders shaping the future of entertainment.
