The Wild & Free Film Festival (WAFFF), in 2026, is entering its second year with expanded programming, growing audience demand, and newly established nonprofit status, WAFFF has announced.
“Following a successful inaugural festival in 2025 that attracted thousands of attendees from across the Central Coast and Southern California region, WAFFF’s 2026 season will feature three signature events celebrating outdoor, adventure, and environmentally inspired storytelling,” organizers said.
The season opens with a spring screening event, 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, April 14, at Camino Real Cinemas in Goleta. The evening will feature a curated selection of short films from the internationally renowned Kendal Mountain Festival, a global leader in outdoor and adventure storytelling.
The program is designed to inspire audiences to explore, respect, and engage with the natural world.
Kendal is in the northwest of England, within the UK’s largest national park, the Lake District, and is also the birthplace of Gareth Kelly, WAFFF founder/executive director.
Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for children, and $18 for students, and are on sale at www.wildandfreefilm.org.
In October, WAFFF will again host its Outdoor Movie Night at Elings Park, bringing the community together for a large-scale outdoor screening featuring live music, a nonprofit adventure village, food and drink vendors, and a family-friendly feature film. The film will be announced at a later date.
The season culminates with the Wild & Free Film Festival’s flagship festival weekend in November in Goleta, featuring a lineup of short and feature-length documentary and narrative films from around the world, along with filmmaker Q&As, panels, and special events. Film submissions are now open.
This year also marks a milestone for the organization, as WAFFF recently secured its 501(c)(3) nonprofit status, enabling the festival to expand programming and deepen partnerships with community organizations and regional supporters.
“Entering our second year as a nonprofit gives us a strong foundation to grow Wild & Free into a signature arts and culture event for Goleta and the region,” said Gareth Kelly, founder/executive director.
“We’re building a year-round program of events focused on outdoor, adventure, and environmental storytelling, creating meaningful experiences while contributing to the local economy and supporting the broader community,” Kelly said.
Santa Barbara Honda & Acura will return as the festival’s presenting sponsor for 2026, continuing its support following a key role in the festival’s inaugural year.
“We’re incredibly grateful to welcome back Santa Barbara Honda & Acura as our presenting sponsor as we grow into our second year,” Kelly said. “Their support has helped us build something that resonates with this community, and we look forward to continuing that partnership.”
Additional programming details and ticket information will be announced in the coming months.
For more, visit www.wildandfreefilm.org.