by FilmInk Staff
Following a successful 2025 season, Capital Film Festival will return from 21-25 October 2026, with acclaimed screen culture specialist Karina Libbey returning for her second year as Festival Director, and the festival entering an exciting new phase through a partnership with the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia (NFSA) as a new venue partner alongside its founding home, Dendy Cinemas Canberra.
“Returning for a second year is incredibly exciting for me, to have the opportunity to build on the strong foundations, partnerships and collaborations established in 2025 and take the festival even further,” said Festival Director Karina Libbey.
“What excites me most about 2026 is the ability to expand the audience experience. I’m passionate about curating a world-class program that surprises audiences, sparks conversation and brings people together for those important, shared moments through cinema. With Dendy Cinemas continuing as the heart of the festival and the NFSA joining us as a venue partner, we can connect audiences with film in new and meaningful ways while celebrating everything that makes Canberra one of Australia’s most vibrant cultural and screen destinations,” said Libbey.
Now in its fifth year, Capital Film Festival continues to grow as the ACT’s premier international film event. While Dendy Cinemas Canberra remains the festival’s founding venue and the heart of the festival experience, the addition of the NFSA creates new opportunities to showcase an even broader range of cinematic experiences across two of Canberra’s most significant screen culture destinations.
“The Capital Film Festival was founded at Dendy Cinemas Canberra and we are incredibly proud to see it continue to evolve and grow each year,” said Sharon Strickland, CEO of Dendy Icon Group.
“As we enter the festival’s fifth year, welcoming the NFSA as a venue partner marks a significant step forward in its development. It allows us to deliver a bigger and more ambitious festival experience while strengthening Canberra’s position as a leading destination for film, culture and creative experiences, reflecting our commitment to continually investing in the festival and creating new reasons for audiences to engage with world-class cinema,” said Strickland.
“This partnership connects the best of contemporary cinema with Australia’s rich screen heritage. We’re thrilled to welcome Capital Film Festival audiences to the NFSA,” said Alice Taylor, Creative Producer & Program Coordinator at the NFSA.
The addition of the NFSA expands the festival footprint for the first time, creating new opportunities for audiences to experience screenings, special events and festival activities across two of Canberra’s most significant screen and cultural institutions.
The full 2026 Capital Film Festival program, including feature film selections, special events and guest appearances, will be unveiled in late September, with tickets officially going on sale on 29 September 2026.
