DaVinci International Film Festival Announces Landmark 8th Edition Lineup at AMC Theaters, The Grove in Los Angeles

Academy Award Nominee Randall Wallace to Receive DIFF's Prestigious Visionary Award® with Opening Night Braveheart Retrospective and Charity Benefit

LOS ANGELES, CA, UNITED STATES, August 24, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- The DaVinci International Film Festival (DIFF) is proud to announce its highly anticipated 8th Edition, taking place on September 25–26, 2026, at the premier AMC Theaters at The Grove in Los Angeles. Marking its eighth landmark year, the festival delivers an extraordinary lineup of independent narrative, documentary, animation, and screenwriting projects, coupled with high-impact special programs, global showcases, and legendary honorees.

Opening night kicks off on Friday, September 25, with a Getty red carpet starting at 5:00 PM, honoring Academy Award^® nominee Randall Wallace with DIFF's prestigious Visionary Award. Following in the footsteps of 2024 recipient Michael J. Fox, Mr. Wallace will be recognized for his enduring impact on and off screen. The evening features a retrospective screening of his timeless epic Braveheart, an exclusive keynote and Q&A, and a reception benefiting his charity, Hollywood Habitats for Humanity. Attendees can also participate in a raffle featuring exclusive, signed Braveheart memorabilia to support the organization.

The 8th Edition also introduces exciting new global partnerships and signature programming blocks. DaVinci proudly welcomes its guest festival and sister arm out of Vancouver, BC—RecFest—making its official debut in the line-up with a powerhouse block of high-octane short documentaries exploring the untamed intersection of sports, recreation, and human grit. Additionally, FilmAfrica returns to DIFF with powerful storytelling out of Angola and Kenya, showcasing a curated selection of international short and narrative feature films alongside special cultural events.

Among the festival's most anticipated returning traditions is "The Writers' Corner," a two-hour in-theater program showcasing finalists from DaVinci’s Storyline, DIFF's premier screenwriting competition. Professional actors will perform live live-read scenes projected on AMC's 60-foot screen, followed by an insightful pro writer panel.

This year also marks the debut of the inaugural "Rise UP" program at DaVinci, an impact-forward initiative anchored by an Official Selection tackling the difficult real-world subject of child sex trafficking. Designed to educate, equip, and inspire hope that audiences can make a difference, the screening will be followed by a filmmaker Q&A, keynote, and executive panel. Proud partners for Rise UP include title sponsor ALLY.org, Atlas Free, and ARC (Association for the Recovery of Children).

"Great storytelling doesn't just entertain us—it connects us to experiences far beyond our own," said Chadwick Pelletier, Founder and Executive Director of DIFF. "We are thrilled to bring together such a courageous, boundary-pushing lineup for our eighth year at The Grove."

Tickets and All Access passes are on sale now. Given the boutique nature of the festival and limited seating, attendees are encouraged to secure their access early. For full schedule details and ticketing, visit davincifilmfestival.com.

For brand partnership and sponsorship opportunities, please contact partners@davincifilm.org.

Experience the DIFF.

About the DaVinci International Film Festival (DIFF)
Produced by the DaVinci Film Society Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, the DaVinci International Film Festival (DIFF) is a premier boutique awards platform hosted annually at AMC Theatres at The Grove in Los Angeles. Dedicated to honoring the "Architects of Cinema," DIFF celebrates bold independent storytellers from across the globe through its coveted Leo Awards across feature, short, documentary, animation, and screenwriting categories.

Official 8th Edition Poster & Artwork
Unveiled ahead of the festival, this year's official artwork pays homage to DIFF’s core identity as the "Architects of Cinema," celebrating structural precision, the timeless symmetry of the golden ratio, and the multidisciplinary craft of independent storytelling.

Nicole Muj
Kultura PR International LLC
+1 310-804-0964
nicolekultura@gmail.com
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