November 6 – 8 in Goleta

Save the date for the Second Annual Wild & Free Film Festival (WAFFF), November 6 – 8, 2026, in Goleta. Celebrating adventurous, diverse, and environmentally conscious storytelling from around the world, the festival aims to become a cultural destination event, inspiring audiences through thought-provoking films and community experiences. 

WAFFF kicks off with its Opening Night Celebration on Friday, November 6 at The Ritz-Carlton Bacara with the Central Coast premiere of The Siege of Paradise. The film focuses on the iconic Italian tourist destination, Cinque Terre, where fewer than 3,000 locals face over four million tourists each summer. Over one chaotic season, six lives unfold in this funny, tender portrait of paradise under pressure.

On Saturday, November 7 & Sunday, November 8, nature film lovers can head over to Camino Real Marketplace for 40 films from 11 countries, filmmaker Q&A’s, panels, awards, parties and more. The Saturday night film is the Central Coast Premiere of Nuisance Bear – winner of the 2026 Sundance Grand Jury Prize for US Documentary. A polar bear is forced to navigate a human world of tourists, wildlife officers, and hunters as its ancient migration collides with modern life. When a sacred predator is branded a nuisance, it becomes unclear who truly belongs in this shared landscape. A party will follow the screening.

Stay tuned. Opening Night tickets, festival passes, and the full 2026 program are coming soon. https://www.wildandfreefilm.org/