The 17th Annual New Media Film Festival has announced its second wave of early selections for 2026, featuring a lineup of international creators and premiere titles that reinforce its position as one of Los Angeles' most forward-looking cultural institutions. The festival will be held at The Culver Theater on June 3-4, 2026, continuing its hybrid model of in-person and online programming that expands global reach while maintaining industry relevance.
This year's early selections highlight the festival's commitment to bold creators whose work resonates across continents and platforms. The lineup includes a new single trailer from David Byrne, marking a creative chapter from the Talking Heads frontman whose career has consistently demonstrated how art can bring people together. Byrne's previous works like Bicycle Diaries and American Utopia have shown his ability to turn creativity into connection, making his inclusion particularly significant for a festival dedicated to innovative storytelling.
The festival will feature the world premiere of Cannibal, a high-voltage collaboration between Pendulum & Wargasm that has already generated more than 662 million views in seven months, underscoring the power of cross-genre, cross-platform storytelling. Other notable selections include the Los Angeles premiere of the Limitless Podcast with creator Lori Moilov and special guest Bob Weis, former President of Walt Disney Imagineering, exploring imagination as a renewable resource and the future of experiential storytelling.
International 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 documenting the rise of electric bikes and the new era of mainstream racing culture sweeping Europe. These selections demonstrate the festival's global perspective and commitment to diverse storytelling approaches.
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. The festival's commitment to transparency, creator trust, and meaningful industry pathways continues to set it apart through new verification systems, authenticated reviews, and identity-confirmed leadership that support a clear, accountable ecosystem for filmmakers and digital creators.
The importance of this festival extends beyond entertainment to the broader media landscape. 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 cross-industry networking has historically led to distribution deals, funding opportunities, casting breakthroughs, and long-term creative partnerships, making it a crucial platform for creators navigating an increasingly complex media environment.
Festival highlights include world premieres, exclusive screenings, red carpet arrivals, VIP soirées, creator conversations, live Q&A sessions, classic cinema showcases, tech-driven presentations, and an awards ceremony. Tickets, programming updates, and submission details are available at https://www.NewMediaFilmFestival.com, with submissions accepted through April 6 and the schedule locking in mid-April.
The New Media Film 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. This commitment has earned participation from judges representing HBO, BBC, PBS, Marvel, AMPAS, the Television Academy, and other leaders shaping the future of entertainment, solidifying the festival's position as a trusted platform for innovation, authenticity, and the power of story to connect global audiences.
