What the Los Cabos Film Festival is
Founded in 2012, the festival set out to be a meeting point for the Mexican, American and Canadian film industries, and it still leans that way: premieres, industry meetings, panels and guest events alongside public screenings. It has hosted names like Nicole Kidman and Oliver Stone over the years. The 2026 theme is #BEYONDTHESCREEN, pitching cinema as a gathering point for music, digital art, animation and the local community.
Early editions were held in November and centered on Cabo San Lucas. The 2026 edition sits in the second week of December, and the published program so far points to San José del Cabo: a screenwriting lab at Hotel El Ganzo from December 6 to 12 and an emerging filmmaker panel, The Next Wave, at Cinépolis San José del Cabo on Saturday December 12.
Worth planning a trip around?
Film fans and anyone in the industry will get the most out of it. For casual visitors it is a nice extra if your trip lines up, not a reason to fly in on its own, since much of the program is aimed at professionals. Screenings of Mexican and international films are the easiest way in for the public.
Mid-December is also a good week to be here anyway: the weather is warm and dry, whale season is getting going, and the Christmas rush hasn't hit yet. See our best time to visit Cabo guide for how the month compares.
Tickets and program
The festival hasn't published 2026 ticket prices or the full screening schedule yet. Its website offers pre-registration to get the program announcement and box-office opening before the general public, and the program page is at ficloscabos.org/programacion-2026. We'll update this page when details are out.
Getting there from Médano Beach
San José del Cabo is about 20 miles from Hacienda Beach Club along the Tourist Corridor; allow 30 to 45 minutes each way, longer at evening rush. A driver or Uber is easier than parking in the center. Our Cabo San Lucas vs San José del Cabo guide explains the town, and if the festival falls on a Thursday you can pair a screening with the San José Art Walk.
For dinner nearby, Mi Cocina at Casa Natalia is on the plaza, and Acre is a short drive inland.