Frequently Asked Questions
General Festival FAQ for attendees
Q: What are the dates of your San Diego festival?
A: May 6-8, 2026
Q: Where is the 2026 festival taking place?
A: All film screenings, receptions, and post-screening discussions will take place at the Museum of Photographic Arts at the San Diego Museum of Art. MOPA @ SDMA is located at 1649 El Pardo, San Diego.
Q. I hear the festival is coming to D.C. Is that true?
A. Yes! We are delighted to present a curated selection of films in Washington, D.C. for a limited, two-day engagement on Nov. 4 and 5, 2025. To review the films, schedule and secure FREE tickets, return to the home page.
Q: What are your healthy and safety policies for attending your events?
A: We continue to follow local and state public health orders and CDC recommendations. We recognize that these recommendations change from time to time, based on local case positivity rates, hospitalization rates, and other factors. In order to ensure the experience is safe for all, we are asking all filmmakers, attendees, volunteers, and staff to observe our health and safety protocols and our community agreement.
Q: What measures are in place to ensure programs and spaces are accessible?
A: Service dogs are welcome inside our event and screening venues. Service dogs must be on a non-retractable leash, less than six feet in length. NCTA in DC permits both service and therapy dogs, but they must be leashed or carried. Accessible parking is available in the lots adjacent to MOPA in San Diego and underground at NCTA. The venues’ entrances are ADA compliant ramp and automatic entry doors. There is ADA seating in theatres. Films screened at NCTA will be presented with open captions.
Q: What other measures is the festival taking to ensure the content accessible?
A: Attendees who need additional accommodations other than those noted above may email us at GIFilmFestivalSD@kpbs.org with the request. We will do our best to accommodate.
Q: I’m coming from out of town. Do you have hotel partnerships?
A: We do not have official hotel partners. The festival’s San Diego venue is centrally located within the city’s iconic Balboa Park. The D.C. venue is located on the Hill, near Union Station. Both venues are numerous hotels, motels, and alternative accommodations (including Air BnB) throughout the city, including large hotel chains and smaller, independent boutique hotels. We recommend doing a through search at the destination city for your travel plans.
Q: How much are tickets and do you offer any discounts?
A: For the 2026 festival in San Diego, tickets for most screening engagements will be $15 per person. We do offer discounted rates of $10 per person for service members, veterans, students or KPBS members. Evidence of KPBS membership, student enrollment, military ID or veteran status is NOT required when selecting the discounted ticket. Please check the schedule and events page for all pricing options.
A. For the Best of the Fest in D.C., tickets are FREE.
Q: I have a friend joining me for a screening and secured two tickets. How can I send the digital ticket/QR code with them?
A: Once you’ve completed your ticket order, a confirmation email will be sent to you from GIFilmFestivalSD@kpbs.org. The confirmation email contains a QR code, which will be requested when you arrive for the scheduled showtime. The QR code can be scanned as many times as you have tickets. If you have guests arriving separately, simply forward your confirmation email and instruct them to present the QR code when checking-in for the scheduled showtime.
Q: Are food and drink permitted in the theatre?
A: Food and beverages are not allowed in the theatre.
Q: Are the films available to watch outside of the festival?
A: Many of the selected films are screened at other festivals nationwide. We encourage you to find the film(s) via your preferred web search engine. Additionally, several films have been distributed on different networks and platforms, including public media. Check out what’s currently available from the GI Film Festival San Diego on the PBS App.
Q: How can I get involved and support the festival?
A: We accept many ways of support and involvement with GIFF. You can follow us on social media, tell a friend, or bring guests to a showtime. If you own a business or are involved in a company’s philanthropic efforts, consider sponsoring the festival. For more information on sponsoring the 2026 event, click here. We also accept donations (suggested amount of $10) at the time of buying tickets. Larger donations can be made online through our one-time gift form. You can also mail a check to KPBS, C/O GI Film Festival San Diego, 5200 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182. Checks should be made payable to KPBS. Please include “for GIFFSD” on the check’s memo line.
Q: What is the relationship between GIFFSD and KPBS?
A: The festival is organized and produced by KPBS in partnership with the Film Consortium San Diego.
