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Exploring The Sedona Film Festival for a Weekend in Sedona, Arizona

March 23, 2026 / Comments Off

Story, photos and video by Cassie Hepler

I’m also a model and actress if you didn’t know by now. And movies are part of my daily existence most weekdays. I enjoy delving into something amazing that can get me off my cell phone the whole time and make me feel something in this American world of growing numbness. I’ve also acted in a few films, check out my IMDB if you like however I didn’t create it and some films are missing. But I find modeling, photography and writing to be the true loves of my life… and now with social media, you can act out your own video snippets if you like. I have a funny short film in mind involving a baby, diaper and a mall for years now if anyone is game! So when the PR email arrived in my inbox but with a trip to Las Vegas already pre-planned for months, we made it work with a weekend getaway experience. I lovingly call this story dipping my toes into Sedona Film Fest!

Founded in 1995, The Sedona International Film Festival was originally a 3-day exhibition of independent film and introduced the festival workshops as a way of teaching and inspiring filmmakers of tomorrow. Now it has grown into a 9-day, world-renowned event and is the jewel in the crown of Sedona’s cultural life and the largest single annual event in the community. The organization seeks to broaden the understanding of the human condition, raise social consciousness, present thought-provoking film and dialogue as we entertain and inspire residents of our local community and the world. Their goal is to expand culture in Sedona and Northern Arizona by offering the opportunity for people to see award-winning films from around the world. We are committed to the educational process of taking our audiences behind the scenes to the other side of the camera through Q&A discussions with filmmakers following a showing and through free workshops and seminars. According to one die-hard attendee we met, it is well worth the $1,200 price tag for the full week considering all the endless movies, food, drinks, events and parties each night. Lunch was always included as well as tapas each evening from 5 to 7 p.m. as well as VIP parties each night at different locations only known by checking the back of your lanyard and wearing it to each event too!

The official flyer for The Sedona Film Festival.

For the 32nd annual Sedona International Film Festival presented by Mercedes-Benz of Northern Arizona for the second year in a row, organizers rummaged trough thousands of films procuring an extraordinary selection of thought-provoking, inspiring, entertaining, and engaging films from around the world. From February 21st to March 1st, 2o26, around 150 feature-length films and shorts from a variety of categories graced the silver screens of various theaters in Sedona, Arizona, for what has dubbed as “one of the 25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World“. Parking spots are reserved all over the area for filmmakers so they also run a shuttle which I assume also includes media hosted hotels and resorts which would certainly come in handy – especially with all the parties involved!

Here’s some highlights we unfortunately missed: A pre-festival kick-off one-man show, Eisenhower: This Piece of Ground, starring Tony-winner John Rubinstein and opening night tribute to Marilyn Monroe on her centennial year, to closing night with Broadway and West End star Ramin Karimloo.

“Film fans can expect to be moved, inspired, and entertained for nine straight days with a phenomenal lineup of films, special events, filmmaker conversations, workshops, and panels. Tim Daly, Amy Irving, Peter Riegert, Sharon Lawrence, Michael O’Keefe, Marc Shaiman, and more surprise guests are (were) in store,” said Patrick Schweiss, Executive Director of Sedona International Film Festival.

I was lucky enough to have a gal pal with a family timeshare at Hilton Vacation Club Los Abrigados Resort & Spa Sedona who was able to accommodate us for the long weekend. Originally, we were going to attempt to attend a Thursday night screening of Starman (above, an awe-inspiring ride throughout Earth’s galaxy and beyond by celebrated NASA engineer and best-selling science fiction author Gentry Lee). I am thankful we did not commit to it as Mercury Retrograde was in full effect and causing mayhem just trying to get out of Phoenix. I would certainly put it on the to watch bucket list though! We arrived late and before you knew it after checking in and dinner, it was dark and we were exhausted. Traveling to Las Vegas, Nevada earlier in the week for work with a pit stop at physical therapy right beforehand and also my friend trying to get out of work early and get a pet sitter for her family dog was quite the feat.

Checking into Los Abrigados Sedona was easy and breezy fortunately.

Across the check-in desk, a nice man from Boston tried eagerly to get us to attend a timeshare but with limited time already, we politely declined. He did dangle 60K Hilton points though which was tempting for future travel plans!

My first stop was the restroom and I stumbled upon this spa which sounded amazing at Los Abrigados Sedona.

Looking back toward the lobby, this beautiful mural greets visitors at Los Abrigados Sedona.

Soon we checked into our room and I took a room tour video for everyone curious of Los Abrigados Sedona. Not very accessible, you had to park and walk a bit and we were on the second floor with no elevator. This is exactly why you need to travel when you’re young!

Where to Stay in Sedona

A perfectly acceptable place for a gals trip, Los Abrigados Sedona was a bit dated circa the 90s but the bed was comfy, the patio was lovely and we had all the mini amenities of a home kitchen which came in handy. The main pool and hot tub were being revamped so that was a bit of a bummer when your dogs were barking but we made due with the smaller, kid-friendly pool. I could feel Sedona vibes creeping into my soul as it always does soon after we arrived! If you are looking for more upscale accommodations, I suggest Sky Rock Sedona, Las Posadas Sedona and Arabella Hotel Sedona – one of the festival sponsors. Further out of downtown near Bell Rock, there is also budget friendly Desert Quail Inn where I stayed on a road trip once and have fond memories.

Where to Eat in Sedona

Greeted by this cat sculpture of my Carmella, we were right next to Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village.

Right around the corner from the big cat was the Oak Creek Brewery at Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village. I enjoyed my cloudy hefeweizen a lot! The main brewery is located in the West Sedona if you’re curious.

My friend turned me on to this half pound burger at Oak Creek Brewery and boy oh boy did it hit the spot! I ate the whole thing.

By the time we walked back, it was dark and the lone pool at Los Abrigados Sedona was calling us so we went for a night swim before early bedtime.

After a good nights sleep, we were up and at em for the Sedona Film Festival after I cooked us some quail eggs at Los Abrigados Sedona. This is an interesting story where the name Sedona came from on our walk to the lobby.

The box office was located at Harkins 6 in Sedona, Arizona to get our media passes.

I especially liked these movie reel doors with the red rock reflections at Sedona Film Festival.

I took advantage of the lull in the day to capture the Harkins Sedona theater nearly empty at Sedona Film Festival. My friend enjoyed her low cost refill soda each movie!

There was a bit of confusion here as they couldn’t find my name in the system but the gals got to work getting a new set with help from Patrick Schweiss, Executive Director of Sedona International Film Festival. What a sweetheart he is!

While we waited, we browsed through the beautiful booklet with a wealth of information at Sedona Film Festival. He’s thick!

Festival T-shirts were also for sale at the Sedona Film Festival box office.

This is a little hard to read but all films will be listed at the bottom of this story from Sedona Film Festival.

I liked this shirt the most at Sedona Film Festival, it has the telltale Sedona blue with the red rocks.

The passed from Sedona Film Festival, it’s nice to be recognized!

Once we secured our passes, we were on our way to meet the team from Sedona Film Festival at lunch location Yavapai College Sedona Center.

This space is meant for VIPs, media and more to relax in between showings.

The interior was all decked out for the festival at the Yavapai College Sedona Center. Volunteers were eager to greet you with a smile.

The step and repeat at Yavapai College Sedona Center with all the many sponsors listed on the side.

This was take two for me as somehow I had not untucked my bell bottoms from my socks fully – only in Arizona!

Each day there was a delicious listing of all the places you were eating and drinking from at Sedona Film Festival. Alas, we did not make it to the Hilton Sedona Resort party Friday night but ironically we thought of staying there first!

Savories Mobile Kitchen was a delicious lunch of Asian inspired food served buffet style at Sedona Film Festival. The tapas were the same vibe, rinse and repeat.

Absolutely stunning artwork adorned the walls at Yavapai College Sedona Center.

Directly across from that one, another stunner at Yavapai College Sedona Center.

Soon we were back to Harkins Sedona getting settled in for our first film, The Cowboy, at Sedona Film Festival.

Ironically our lunch friends were sitting directly behind us at Sedona Film Festival. They attended almost everything!

The Cowboy was our first viewing at Sedona Film Festival.

Young cowboy Crowley faces hardships across Colorado’s expansive landscape over a decade, weathering personal losses and broken dreams as he grows from boy to man. This film The Cowboy seemed to be a take on the downfall of Americana life from a little boy who wants to grow up to be a cowboy. There was some religion and Trump propaganda thrown in there which was suggestive – but not connecting well just like subtle hints. It takes a poor family with big hopes and dreams and crushes Crowley with the American struggle to survive. Filmed over a 10-year-span of this bright but school-hating little boy, it shows how environments effect outcome. We left kind of sad and discouraged, perhaps that was the takeaway… that the American dream is now dead.

After sitting in the car for hours, sleeping and sitting in the theater, we needed a good stretch and a pick me up so I suggested going to one of my favorite places in Sedona, the Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park. Now with reduced hours until 5 p.m., time was of the essence to get our steps and some sunshine in as Phoenix was oddly in the 90s in February. My friend needed down time from all the people-ing and I also get that way sometimes too, just drained and fatigued. This was the perfect recharge and pick me up place! Get the full experience in the video below.

Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park is free and open to the public with limited parking.

We started with the smaller one at Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park.

Then enjoyed the large one at Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park.

A little walkabout up to the buddha at Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park. Always a stunning view!

And a new to me place the medicine wheel at Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park.

The goal is to walk around it and set your intentions at Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park.

Walking towards the red rocks is an amazing experience at Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park.

Saying hello to the buddha at Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park. Don’t leave bananas and papers behind!

Another epic Sedona view from Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park.

I was claiming all of this energy at Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park.

We popped over to some other area parks where kids were skateboarding in Sedona, Arizona.

Then to another walkabout which can be a good hike at Thunder Mountain Trail in Sedona, Arizona. These were ideas from our new friends!

We kept going until it started feeling too hard in Sedona, Arizona.

If you look closely there is a man scaling that huge rock in Sedona, Arizona. He looks like a speck in the middle.

After getting in some sweat equity, it was wine down tapas time at Yavapai College Sedona Center. And beloved Page Springs Cellars helped!

We tasted our way through the white, rose and red at Yavapai College Sedona Center.

I think the white was my favorite at Yavapai College Sedona Center.

We then sat and enjoyed some finger foods and sweets that apparently I was too hungry to photograph at Yavapai College Sedona Center. But cheers to celebrating 32 years, that’s quite a feat!

Back to the hotel and for a walkabout next door Tlaquepaque we went after our girl dinner. The moon was starting to wax full!

Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village is modeled after Spanish style and architecture.

We sat and watched many photoshoots happening on this balcony at Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village.

Everything closes pretty early in Sedona including Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village.

What a stunner with the sunset sky at Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village.

Another cat sculpture lured us in for a night photo at Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village.

The next morning we had breakfast and walked under the bridge walk to check out other stores in Sedona, Arizona. To the right is our hotel and Tlaquepaque.

My friend’s husband recently built one of these so I had to send to her in Sedona, Arizona. Lots of Woo Woo shops and crystals everywhere we went!

We popped inside a singing bowl store called Crystal Tones in Sedona, Arizona where you could join a class for $18 or play on the bowls for a couple minutes. We kept getting sales pitched so we left but would return for a class! At another shop, we had our chakras read and my third eye was being blocked… no doubt, I feel that way lately. Blue lapis stone is said to help and I have a moon shaped one in my purse always!

We kept going all the way up towards what I call the tourist area in Sedona, Arizona. This view is L’Auberge de Sedona luxury cottages, one of the finest stays in Sedona.

We walked up until it was swarming with people on a Saturday and walked back, stopping for this map of the red rocks in Sedona, Arizona.

A nice break in the afternoon after way too many steps (again) was the pool to let our bodies relax again. I was trying to reserve energy for the night’s activities but sometimes there’s no rest for the wicked!

Soon it was time for another film at the Sedona Center in Arizona. Parking was blocked off so we parked next door which turned out fine.

If you don’t have your tickets, you can pick them up at the box office at each location.

The other two theaters involved in Sedona Film Festival, this was the Mary D. Fisher Theatre.

When you walk in, a mural of times gone by in Sedona, Arizona. We were not there to see Switch & Bait but that looks fun!

Behind the check-in line, a wall of glowing green stars in Sedona, Arizona.

I had to talk my plus one into this film on a late Saturday at Sedona Film Festival but boy are we glad I did! These chairs were not as long or comfy as Harkins but the movie was gripping.

In this now award-winning movie Room to Move, acclaimed dancer and choreographer Jenn Freeman is recently diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. She goes from breaking down in New York City out of sheer masking exhaustion to finding her own rhythm in this life not build for neurodivergents. In a surprising twist, the director also discovers he is also on the spectrum. Incorporating dance into her life and career, it turns out dance has been her go-to stims her whole life. This movie will make you laugh, cry, want to pet their cat repeatedly, and connect some dots in your own life you may not even know you had. As someone who is unofficially diagnosed with ADHD, this one hits hard. And any neurodivergent knows, when you have one diagnosis you may have more. There’s is nothing shameful about it either and it’s refreshing to see Jenn use her influence and voice for good… so good that during the Q&A someone was praising her and crying at the same time. Or perhaps you’re just trying to understand a loved one who has it… certainly worth a watch.

We stuck around to meet the woman making waves from Room to Move film.

Jenn has shaved her head since Room to Move movie ended as she said it no longer serves her.

After that movie, we were buzzing with thoughts and ideas… putting two and two together along with most of our families in a wild tale of follow the family lore. It was quite wild but we were energized and excited to get ready for the VIP party that night!

The final party of the night was at Enchantment Resort in Sedona, Arizona. It’s very winding roads in the pitch dark about 20 minutes from downtown Sedona. When you pull in through security, take your first left and another after it and voila!

I was immediately excited about a live band at Sedona Film Festival so we made sure to get good seats facing them. Always be early!

Quite the spread of burgers, pastas, salads, sweets, meats and other treats for the last night of Sedona Film Festival.

Each guest was given a drink ticket to enjoy a generous pour of Arizona Stronghold wines at Sedona Film Festival.

We didn’t know the dress code was sequins but now we do at Sedona Film Festival!

The prime rib was so good we might have had seconds at Sedona Film Festival.

A gorgeous outfit at Sedona Film Festival. We noticed him more than once for his stunning attire!

The best chocolate cupcakes in the world at Sedona Film Festival.

Soon everyone including us were on the dance floor at Sedona Film Festival having a great time!

A couple of slow songs got couples dancing too at Sedona Film Festival.

We spotted this great gang from afar and had to get a pic at Sedona Film Festival.

Patrick the director of Sedona Film Festival was a doll! We were out until about midnight and too pooped to further party so to bed we went.

Back to Harkins 6 Sedona the next morning after checkout, I had to text this to my brother!

Our very last film of the Sedona Film Festival was Once Upon My Mother at Harkins 6 Sedona.

The wonderful French woman who gave me her extra wine ticket from the VIP party that I then gifted to our table mate explained the movie. Merci!

Based on a true story with English subtitles from French, a woman gives birth to a boy that suffers from a clubbed foot. Despite all odds, she promises her son that he will have a full and fabulous life. Once Upon My Mother hits the nail on the head with a truly tenacious mom who obsesses over her son’s future – and somehow makes it happen for him. The co-dependent relationship takes a turn as he becomes a man however he literally encompasses her spirit as he makes his way though the world. I don’t know if it was from lack of sleep or empathy, but I was all tears at points imagining how much love she had for her son to fight for years to make him at least appear normal in a harsh world. Even knowing some French, the subtitles just kind of melted into the movie and the lead actress is the fabulous at first. Kudos!

On our way out, we saw this lineup at Sedona Film Festival and there is a QR code to scan and vote on your favorites throughout the festival. Also a winners brunch on Sunday but we had to leave and head back to Phoenix and real life priorities… next year I would like to fully immerse myself into this wide world of film, fun and fabulousness but with a fully hosted media experience and my trusty Nikon next time. Nine nights in Sedona can easily cost more than my mortgage as a childless cat lady!

In the meantime, feel free to copy and paste this list to get ahead of the movie releases to the public.

Sedona International Film Festival 2026 Official Selections:

Films at The Sedona International Film Festival

Narrative Features:

A Break in the Rain

Anorgasmia

Beau Ideal

Billy Knight

Crossing Delancey

Dreams

Dust To Malibu

Ethan Bloom

Fantasy Life

Frontier

Gazelle

Imbalance

Isola

Jimpa

Leads

Memo

Mistake

Mr. Burton

Muganga

Omaha

Once Upon My Mother

One Stupid Thing

Pieces of Us

Reading Lolita in Tehran

Shambhala Story

Switch & Bait

The Fallow Few

The Future Awaits

The Marching Band

The Mohican

The Most Precious of Cargoes

The Secret Floor

The Shrowdinger

The Snare

To Move Is Friction

Zoe

Documentary Features:

A Life Illuminated

A Life Outside: American Mountain Guides

André Is an Idiot

Best Day Ever

Blame

Comparsa

Creede U.S.A.

Dream Boats

Dream Touch Believe

Kim Novak’s Vertigo

Little Singer

Mozart’s Sister

Mr. Nobody Against Putin

My Dear Theo

My Sunnyside

Natchez

Paint Me A Road Out of Here

Remaining Native

Road 190

Room to Move

Sons of Detroit

Starman

Steal This Story, Please!

Stronger Than You Think

The Bend in the River

The Chaplain & The Doctor

The Cowboy

The Eyes of Ghana

The Gardener, the Buddhist & the Spy

The Last Dive

The Renaissance Prince

Trade Secret

Underland

Voices: The Danny Gans Story

Wider Than the Sky

You Had to Be There

Documentary Shorts:

A Mystical Ornithology

A Sacred Pause

Aldo’s Bug Extravaganza

Arctic Alchemy

Death of a Fantastic Machine

Di Sarno – The story of Emilio’s Ballato

Divers

Exodus

Houston’s Whitebeam

I am everything

I Am Somebody

Icebreakers

Just Jools

La Orquesta

Last Days on Lake Trinity

Miles of Life

My Memory Walls

Nice Girls Don’t Ask

Old Girl in a Tutu: Susan Rennie Disrupts Art History

On Healing Land, Birds Perch

Perseids

Rovina’s Choice

Sallie’s Ashes

Shanti Rides Shotgun

The Birds

The Conscience Files

The Petal Pusher

The Rebel Reef: Seeds of Hope

Van Gogh and the Hospital Garden

Voices from the abyss

What The River Knows

Your Opinion, Please

Narrative Shorts and Animated Shorts:

A Matter of Time

Babka

Beast of the Seine

Being Dead Should Be Easy

Benchless

Daniel Van den Berg is Dead

Disco Beats

Dishwasher

Don’t be late, Myra

Egg Timer

Emergency

Extinguished Lives

First Time

Fitted Sheet

Flesh & Blood

Forevergreen

Fundbox – A Love Story

Grim & Sunshine

Grind

High School Detention The Musical

I Love You More Than Dinosaurs

I Often Dream of Trains

Leaf

Lonely

Massage Therapy

Miriam

Olive

Taste of a Memory

The Art of Inflation

The Demon Core

The Journal

The Lingering

The Other Side

The Reach

The Ride

The Stones of Dunamase Castle

The Vote

The Whistle

Two People Exchanging Saliva

Undelivered

Waiting for Aphrodite

WildKind

Where to Stay in Sedona

Where to Eat in Sedona

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