PHOENIX FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES STAR-STUDDED CENTERPIECE FILM LINEUP

Screenings spotlight acclaimed directors, standout performances, and unforgettable big-screen storytelling.

PHOENIX, AZ (Thursday, March 19, 2026) — The Phoenix Film Festival is proud to unveil its 2026 Centerpiece Film lineup, featuring an exciting collection of acclaimed filmmakers, award-worthy performances, and bold cinematic storytelling from around the world. From a one-night-only documentary event to highly anticipated dramas, thrillers, crime stories, and international standouts, this year’s Centerpiece selections promise some of the festival’s most talked-about screenings.

Leading the lineup is AMERICAN PACHUCO: THE LEGEND OF LUIS VALDEZ, a film celebrating the groundbreaking legacy of Luis Valdez and his lasting impact on American storytelling. The Centerpiece slate continues with an impressive range of films featuring talents including Bob Odenkirk, Steven Soderbergh, Ian McKellen, Michaela Coel, Willem Dafoe, Al Pacino, Dustin Hoffman, Samara Weaving, Mads Mikkelsen, and more.

Together, these films reflect the scope, ambition, and artistry that define the Phoenix Film Festival experience.

Spotlight

AMERICAN PACHUCO: THE LEGEND OF LUIS VALDEZ

Screening: Friday, April 10 at 7:00pm

Directed by: David Alvarado
Cast: Luis Valdez, Lupe Trujillo-Valdez, Edward James Olmos, Cheech Marin, Lou Diamond Phillips, Dolores Huerta, Linda Ronstadt, Jorge A. Huerta, Luis C. Garza, Taylor Hackford, Rose Portillo, Sal Lopez, Phil Esparza, Socorro Valdez, Daniel Valdez

Synopsis: Against political resistance and industry skepticism, Luis Valdez pushes Chicano storytelling from the fields to the film screen with “Zoot Suit” and “La Bamba”, crafting iconic works that challenge, celebrate, and expand America’s story.

NORMAL

Screening: Saturday, April 11 at 7:00pm

Directed by: Ben Wheatley
Cast: Bob Odenkirk, Henry Winkler, Lena Headey

Synopsis: The latest collaboration between Bob Odenkirk, JOHN WICK creator Derek Kolstad and NOBODY producer Marc Provissiero, director Ben Wheatley’s (FREE FIRE, HIGH RISE) kinetic neo-Western action film stars Odenkirk as an unassuming substitute sheriff with a troubled past who, after moving to a small, sleepy town, responds to a bank robbery and unknowingly uncovers something far more explosive.

Trailer: https://youtu.be/5OndK0w1lYY

THE CHRISTOPHERS

Screening: Sunday, April 12 at 7:00pm

Directed by: Steven Soderbergh
Cast: Michaela Coel, Ian McKellen, Jessica Gunning, James Corden

Synopsis: Julian Sklar (Ian McKellen) was once a star of London’s 1960’s and 70’s pop art explosion, but he hasn’t painted in decades and has been broke for years. His two estranged children (James Corden, Jessica Gunning), desperate for an inheritance, hire Lori, an art restorer and former forger (Michaela Coel), to pose as a prospective assistant in order to access 8 unfinished canvases Julian has buried deep in storage. Her plan is to complete them, then return them to storage, where they are to be “discovered” upon Julian’s death.
Trailer: https://youtu.be/m2d1x7VuDmo

LATE FAME

Screening: Monday, April 13 at 7:00pm

Directed by: Kent Jones
Cast: Willem Dafoe, Greta Lee, Edmund Donovan

Synopsis: Legendary New York poet Ed Saxberger’s forgotten works captivate an eccentric group of young creatives, reigniting his artistic passion. Their intrigue intertwines with the bewitching presence of actress Gloria.

BILLY KNIGHT

Screening: Tuesday, April 14 at 7:00pm

Directed by: Alec Griffen Roth
Cast: Al Pacino, Charlie Heaton, Diana Silvers, Sara Sampaio, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Angela Sarafyan, Billy Zane, Diplo, Rick Ross, Harry Jowsey, and Beck

Synopsis: After discovering a relic tied to a vanished Hollywood actor, a drifting film student wanders through old Los Angeles, chasing a cinematic ghost and the fragile promise of artistic meaning.

Trailer: https://youtu.be/eBc9lMilNRM

A SAFE DISTANCE

Screening Time: Wednesday, April 15 at 7:00pm

Directed by: Gloria Mercer
Cast: Bethany Brown, Tandia Mercedes, Cody Kearsley, Chris McNally

Synopsis: After a woman is abandoned by her boyfriend in the forest, she befriends a pair of notorious fugitives on the run from the law, and becomes dangerously entangled in their relationship.

TUNER

Screening: Friday, April 17 at 7:00pm

Directed by: Daniel Roher
Cast: Leo Woodall, Dustin Hoffman, Havana Rose Liu, Lior Raz, Tovah Feldshuh

Synopsis: A gifted piano tuner’s meticulous skills for tuning pianos lead him to discover an unexpected aptitude for cracking safes, turning his life upside down.

Trailer: https://youtu.be/rdlOZhl-nSA

CAROLINA CAROLINE

Screening: Saturday, April 18 at 7:00pm

Directed by: Adam Rehmeier
Cast: Samara Weaving, Kyle Gallner, Kyra Sedgwick, Jon Gries

Synopsis: Acclaimed director Adam Carter Rehmeier’s romantic crime thriller stars Samara Weaving (READY OR NOT, BORDERLINE) as Caroline Daniels, whose desire to leave her small Texas town brings her into the orbit of a charismatic con man (Kyle Gallner), and together they weave a path of crime and passion across the American Southeast. Also starring Kyra Sedgwick, the film features a wide-ranging country music soundtrack, with tracks from artists such as Jason Isbell, Chris Stapleton, Loretta Lynn, and over a dozen others.

THE LAST VIKING (Subtitled)

Screening: Thursday, April 16 at 7:00pm

Directed by: Anders Thomas Jenson
Cast: Nikolaj Lie Kaas, Mads Mikkelsen, Sofie Gråbøl, Søren Malling, Bodil Jørgensen, Lars Brygmann, Kardo Razzazi, Nicolas Bro, Peter Düring

Synopsis: Anker is released from prison following a fifteen-year sentence for robbery. The money from the heist was buried by Anker’s brother, Manfred. Only he knows where it is. Unfortunately, Manfred has since developed a mental disorder causing him to forget all. Together, the brothers embark on an unexpected journey to locate the money and discover who they really are.

Trailer: https://youtu.be/tFzcPgFXQZA

The Phoenix Film Festival’s Centerpiece program continues to showcase the kind of distinctive, conversation-starting cinema that brings audiences and filmmakers together in celebration of the theatrical experience.

For more information, call 480-513-3195 or visit www.phoenixfilmfestival.com.

tmc.io contributor: ShariK.Green

I'm the Sr. Film Writer and Community Manager for tmc.io. I write, direct and produce short films with my production company, Good Stew Productions. Though it's difficult to answer this question when asked, I'd say my favorite movie is “The Big Chill.” I enjoy photography, poetry, and hiking and I adore animals, especially elephants. I live in Arizona and feel it's an outstanding and inspirational place to live.

Critics Group: Phoenix Critics Society

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PHOENIX FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES STAR-STUDDED CENTERPIECE FILM LINEUP

Screenings spotlight acclaimed directors, standout performances, and unforgettable big-screen storytelling.

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