The Wild & Free Film Festival (WAFFF), presented by Santa Barbara Honda and Toyota of Santa Barbara, has announced its 2026 festival lineup, featuring almost 40 films from 11 countries, Nov. 6-8.

Opening night, 6:30 p.m. Nov. 6. at The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, features a Mediterranean-inspired reception followed by the Central Coast premiere of “The Siege of Paradise,” from Irish director Gar O’Rourke (“Sanatorium,” 2025).

The documentary, which received a Special Jury Mention for cinematography at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival, travels to the iconic Italian destination of Cinque Terre, where fewer than 3,000 residents face more than four million tourists each summer.

Across one chaotic season, six lives unfold in a funny and tender portrait of paradise under pressure.

O’Rourke, along with social media influencer Grace Andrews, one of the film’s central characters, will attend the festival and join WAFFF founder and executive director Gareth Kelly for a conversation about the film ahead of the screening.

“I’m delighted that our film ‘The Siege of Paradise’ will open the Wild and Free Film Festival this November,” O’Rourke said. “I’m excited to meet and engage with WAFFF audiences; it’s the perfect home for this story.”

Attendees at the Mediterranean-inspired opening night reception will enjoy complimentary appetizers, wine from Sunstone Winery, beer and non-alcoholic beverages, accompanied by acoustic guitar from Sam Adams.

The event is included with the $185 All In Festival Pass, or can be purchased separately for $125.

The festival moves to Camino Real Cinemas Nov. 7-8, with a program of short and feature-length films including world, U.S. and local premieres.

Submissions increased 30% this year, with programmers selecting the final lineup from more than 200 entries.

“Selecting films is never easy, but we’re incredibly proud of this year’s program and, in particular, its diverse range of global stories,” said Jazmine Contreras, programming manager.

“We have films from Palestine, Nepal and Iran, alongside stories from many other countries, which we feel illustrate just how important arts, culture and storytelling are to communities everywhere,” Contreras said.

Highlighting Saturday’s program is the Central Coast premiere of A24’s “Nuisance Bear,” winner of this year’s Sundance Grand Jury Prize for U.S. Documentary.

Directed by Jack Weisman and Gabriela Osio Vanden, the film follows a polar bear’s ancient migration through Churchill, Manitoba, as it collides with tourists, wildlife officers and hunters, raising a provocative question: who truly belongs in a shared landscape?

“Nuisance Bear” will screen at 5 p.m. Nov. 7 at Camino Real Cinemas, where the 2026 Wild & Free Film Festival Awards will also be announced.

The film will be followed by a free after-party at the Hilton Garden Inn rooftop. All In Festival Pass holders will receive two complimentary drinks at the after-party.

The festival’s film blocks start at 10 a.m. Saturday and 10:30 a.m. Sunday.

“As part of WAFFF’s mission to make arts and culture accessible, Sunday’s programming will include a community block of films with free admission for all,” organizers said.

Over the weekend there will be Q&As with attending filmmakers and a series of filmmaker panels.

“We’re excited by our programming this year and for the future, as we aim to develop Wild & Free into a leading West Coast destination for adventure, outdoor, environmental and natural-world storytelling — an annual arts and culture event that brings filmmakers, audiences and community together while serving as an economic driver for Goleta and the wider region,” said Kelly.

Festival passes and individual tickets are on sale at wildandfreefilm.org.

The Wild & Free Film Festival is supported by presenting sponsors Santa Barbara Honda and Toyota of Santa Barbara; along with Yardi, the city of Goleta, Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Elings Park, South Coast Chamber of Commerce, Visit Santa Barbara, Central Coast Community Energy, Teva, Volentine Family Foundation, American Riviera Bank, Brownstein, Community West Bank, The Eagle Inn, Arosha Inc, Noozhawk, and Mechanics Bank.

The Wild & Free Film Festival is a Goleta-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit film festival celebrating adventurous storytelling that explores our relationship with the natural world.