Borrego Springs Film Festival Wraps January 2026
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The 13th Borrego Springs Film Festival wrapped January 18, 2026, with sold-out screenings, red carpet moments, awards, and strong community turnout.
The 13th Annual Borrego Springs Film Festival wrapped up January 18, 2026, closing five days of independent cinema, conversation, and community energy. Events were held throughout Borrego Springs, including free screenings at the Borrego Springs Library and ticketed block screenings and awards ceremonies at the Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center.
Presented by the Borrego Springs Film Institute, the festival continued its traditional, theater-first format that brings people together to watch films in shared spaces and talk about them afterward. Several screening blocks sold out during the week, reflecting strong local interest and visiting attendance.
That connection was clear during the live-streamed red carpet. Host Brianna Pinto described one of the festival’s defining qualities by saying, “Filmmakers get to interact directly with the audience,” noting that Borrego Springs draws viewers who truly watch and engage with the films.
Filmmakers echoed that experience in different ways. A King’s Curtain director Grannan Johnson said it was especially meaningful to hear audience members tell him, “Oh yes, I saw your film,” calling Borrego Springs “a fun place to be” with “really nice, great people.” Documentary filmmaker Mitch Yapko (Watching Walter) described a moment when a full theater reacted together, saying the shared gasp from the audience made it clear they were fully engaged.
The setting itself also left an impression. Actress Laura Bolin (Rage, Rhonda) called the enthusiasm of Borrego Springs audiences “contagious” and encouraged visitors to explore the landscape, describing the area as a place to “just wander” and take in the desert views.
Alongside screenings, the festival featured filmmaker Q&As, panels, networking events, a red carpet, and an awards ceremony. As the week wrapped, one thing was clear: Borrego Springs continues to show strong support for independent film through engaged audiences and meaningful conversation. For more about the festival, visit https://www.borregospringsfilmfestival.org
13th BSFF Award Winners
January 18, 2026
Juried Awards
Best International Film:
Dante's Inferno
Best Animation:
113 Words for You Today
Best Documentary – Long:
Fool’s Paradise (lost?)
Best Documentary – Short:
Samland
Best Short Under 20 Minutes:
El Lloron
Best Short 20 to 50 Minutes:
Hearts of Stone
Best Feature Film:
Séance
BSFF Awards
Best Youth Film (Under 18):
Dancing in the Stars
Best Student Film (18+):
The Lights Above
Best Comedy:
Yer Smackin'
Best Director – Feature:
Jorrit Van Der Kooi — The Golden Hours
Best Director – Short:
Brian Russell — Sit with Me While I Die
Best Cinematography:
Hans Bruch Jr. — Hearts of Stone
Best Editing:
Yufei Skylar Zhang — Fireline
Best Music Score:
Jason Pelsey — Marilyn’s Dark Paradise
Best Performance – Comedy:
Scottie Thompson — Sienna and the Sit
Best Performance – Drama:
Allison Dayne — A King’s Curtain
LAARA Award
Fool’s Paradise (lost?)
Golden Cookie Awards
Grillo
Marilyn’s Dark Paradise
People’s Choice Awards
Best Overall Film:
Grillo
Best Animation:
113 Words for You Today
Best International Film:
Hearts of Stone
Best Documentary:
Prairie Prophecy
Best Short Film:
The Craftsman
Best Feature Film:
The Golden Hours
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