The Four Corners Film Festival returns to Farmington, New Mexico, on September 18 and 19, 2026, with a short-film-focused format for its seventh year. Screenings will take place at the historic Totah Theater in Downtown Farmington, with categories highlighting Four Corners filmmakers, Indigenous filmmakers, women in film, veterans, students, documentary shorts, and narrative shorts.
The Four Corners Film Festival returns to Farmington, New Mexico, on September 18 and 19, 2026, for its seventh year with a new short-film-focused format celebrating independent filmmakers from across the Southwest and beyond.
The two-day event features screenings, filmmaker recognition, audience voting, and educational programming at the historic Totah Theater in Downtown Farmington. The 2026 festival is supported by a variety of community partners, including Hutton Broadcasting.
- What are the Four Corners Film Festival Details?
- What is the Four Corners Film Festival?
- What film categories are open for 2026?
- Where are Four Corners Film Festival Screenings Held?
- How Do Filmmakers Submit to the Four Corners Film Festival?
- Join the Next Chapter of the Four Corners Film Festival
- Four Corners Film Festival FAQs
Categories for 2026 include Made In the Four Corners, Documentary, Narrative, Indigenous, Women In Film, Veteran Stories, and Student, all focused on short-form storytelling.
The festival is accepting submissions now! Filmmakers can submit work through the official Four Corners Film Festival FilmFreeway listing.
What are the Four Corners Film Festival Details?
In short: The 2026 Four Corners Film Festival takes place September 18 and 19, 2026, at the Totah Theater in Downtown Farmington, New Mexico. The festival is currently accepting short-film submissions through FilmFreeway.
- Dates: Friday, September 18 and Saturday, September 19, 2026
- Location: Totah Theater, 315 W. Main St., Farmington, New Mexico
- Festival year: Seventh year
- Format: Short-focused film festival
- Submission platform: FilmFreeway
The Four Corners Film Festival is currently accepting submissions. Additional details about screenings, tickets, speakers, and festival programming will be announced closer to the September 2026 event.
What is the Four Corners Film Festival?
In short: The Four Corners Film Festival is a Farmington-based film festival that highlights independent filmmakers, Southwest stories, and underrepresented voices in cinema.
The Four Corners Film Festival celebrates film in Farmington, New Mexico, near the geographic meeting point of New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, and Utah. The festival spotlights creators connected to the Four Corners states while also featuring creators whose work expands representation in independent film.
The 2026 festival places particular attention on short films, creating space for documentary, narrative, student, Indigenous, veteran, and women-led filmmaking during the two-day program.
The festival also recognizes standout entries through audience voting and juried awards. Audience members can cast ballots for their favorite films, while the President’s Award is presented to the top entry of the season. Cash awards may also be presented based on participation levels and the number of entrants.
The festival also supports education through speakers and panelists. While the 2026 speaker schedule has not yet been announced, the festival states that educational opportunities continue to be part of the event for local students and visiting filmmakers.
What film categories are open for 2026?
In short: The 2026 Four Corners Film Festival categories focus entirely on short films, with categories for regional work, documentaries, narratives, Indigenous filmmakers, women in film, veteran stories, and students.
The 2026 Four Corners Film Festival features the following short-film categories:
- Made In the Four Corners
- Documentary
- Narrative
- Indigenous
- Women In Film
- Veteran Stories
- Student
These categories reflect the festival’s focus on independent storytelling and regional representation. The Made In the Four Corners category is especially relevant for directors with work connected to New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, or Utah.
Filmmakers entering location-based categories may be required to provide proof of residence or documentation showing that the film was shot predominantly in New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, or Utah.
Where are Four Corners Film Festival Screenings Held?
In short: Four Corners Film Festival screenings are held at the Totah Theater, a historic Downtown Farmington venue located at 315 W Main Street.
The historic Totah Theater serves as the festival’s home. Built in 1949, the Downtown Farmington venue has long hosted performances and community events, making it a fitting setting for a festival focused on storytelling. With seating for 270 guests, the theater offers audiences an opportunity to watch films, meet directors, and participate in audience voting throughout the festival weekend.
The festival is also part of a broader film community in northwestern New Mexico. Filmmakers interested in working in San Juan County can find local production resources through the City of Farmington, while the New Mexico Film Office provides statewide information on locations, crews, incentives, and industry support.
How Do Filmmakers Submit to the Four Corners Film Festival?
In short: The Four Corners Film Festival accepts U.S. film submissions through FilmFreeway. Filmmakers should review the festival’s eligibility requirements and be prepared to provide promotional materials if their film is selected for screening.
Creators can submit entries through FilmFreeway in one of the festival’s seven short-film categories. The festival’s FilmFreeway page includes categories, deadlines, fees, eligibility requirements, required materials, and submission instructions. Before entering, filmmakers should review those requirements and prepare any supporting materials that may be needed if their film is selected for screening.
Submission Guidelines
- Entries must originate from within the United States.
- Short films must have a runtime of less than 40 minutes.
- Films 40 minutes or longer are considered feature-length entries.
- Films with non-English dialogue must include English subtitles.
- Projects with major distribution or broad theatrical release may not qualify.
- Filmmakers may submit multiple projects, but each entry requires its own submission and fee.
- Works in progress are accepted, though completed films are preferred.
- For applicable categories, filmmakers may need to provide proof of residence or documentation showing a film was primarily shot in New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, or Utah.
Materials Required for Selected Films
Creators whose projects are chosen for screening will be asked to provide promotional materials for festival programming and marketing.
- A brief film synopsis
- Digital still images from the film
- Social media handles associated with the project
- A trailer hosted on YouTube, Vimeo, or provided through a digital download link.
Join the Next Chapter of the Four Corners Film Festival
Each year’s festival is shaped by the filmmakers who choose to share their work and the audiences who show up to watch it. As submissions continue for the 2026 event, the lineup is still being built for two days of screenings, conversations, and audience voting at the Totah Theater in Downtown Farmington. Among the organizations supporting the 2026 Four Corners Film Festival is Hutton Broadcasting, a sponsor of the event
Visit the official Four Corners Film Festival FilmFreeway page to submit a film, review festival information, and follow updates as the September festival approaches.
Four Corners Film Festival FAQs
When is the 2026 Four Corners Film Festival?
The 2026 Four Corners Film Festival takes place September 18 and 19, 2026, in Farmington, New Mexico. The two-day event marks the festival’s seventh year and introduces a short-film-focused format. Throughout the weekend, audiences can expect film screenings, audience voting, filmmaker recognition, and educational programming at the historic Totah Theater. Additional details about screening schedules, speakers, and selected films are expected to be announced closer to the festival dates as the submission process continues.
Where is the Four Corners Film Festival held?
The Four Corners Film Festival is held at the Totah Theater, located at 315 W. Main St. in Downtown Farmington, New Mexico. Built in 1949, the theater continues to serve as a venue for film, live performances, and community events. Its downtown location places attendees near local restaurants, shops, and other attractions, making it a convenient gathering place for filmmakers, students, and film enthusiasts attending the festival.
Are 2026 Four Corners Film Festival tickets available?
Ticket information for the 2026 Four Corners Film Festival has not yet been announced publicly. Because the festival is still accepting submissions, organizers have not released a complete schedule of screenings or event details. Audience members interested in attending should monitor the official festival FilmFreeway page for updates regarding ticket availability, screening times, festival programming, and any additional announcements leading up to the September event.
What categories are open for 2026 submissions?
The 2026 Four Corners Film Festival includes seven short-film categories: Made In the Four Corners, Documentary, Narrative, Indigenous, Women In Film, Veteran Stories, and Student. These categories reflect the festival’s commitment to supporting regional filmmakers while also highlighting diverse voices and perspectives in independent cinema. The short-film-focused format allows audiences to experience a variety of storytelling styles and subjects throughout the two-day festival.
How long can a short film be?
A short film submitted to the Four Corners Film Festival must be under 40 minutes in length. Projects that reach 40 minutes or longer are considered feature films under the festival’s rules. This distinction helps organizers categorize entries appropriately during the selection process. Filmmakers should carefully review runtime requirements before submitting to ensure their project is entered into the correct category and meets festival eligibility standards.
Can filmmakers submit multiple films?
Yes. Filmmakers may submit multiple projects to the Four Corners Film Festival. Each film must be entered separately and requires its own submission form and entry fee. This allows directors with multiple eligible projects to have more than one work considered during the selection process. Before submitting multiple entries, creators should review all category requirements, deadlines, and eligibility guidelines available through the festival’s official FilmFreeway page.
Are non-English films accepted?
Yes. The Four Corners Film Festival accepts films with dialogue in languages other than English. To ensure accessibility for audiences and judges, non-English dialogue must be accompanied by English subtitles. This requirement allows films from a variety of cultural and linguistic backgrounds to be considered while ensuring viewers can fully engage with the story. Directors should verify subtitle accuracy and readability before completing their submission.
Where can filmmakers submit to the Four Corners Film Festival?
Filmmakers can submit entries through the official Four Corners Film Festival FilmFreeway listing. The FilmFreeway page serves as the festival’s primary source for submission information and includes categories, entry fees, deadlines, eligibility requirements, required materials, and festival policies. Because there is currently no standalone festival website, filmmakers should refer to the FilmFreeway listing for the most current information regarding submissions and festival updates.
