Lights, Camera, Simi Valley: Plan Your Film Fest Getaway

Cue the opening credits: SIMI Film Fest is back.

Running September 12–20, 2026, the festival brings 103 films, 69 music videos, and nine days of screenings, events, and creative experiences to the city, with Studio Movie Grill serving as the festival’s screening location.

But you don’t have to spend all nine days in the theater.

Fill your time between screenings with Simi Valley’s trails, restaurants, and attractions, turning a trip to the festival into a full getaway.

A Festival With Something for Every Film Fan

First up: the movies.

SIMI Film Fest’s 2026 lineup runs the gamut, from features and documentaries to shorts, horror, sci-fi, comedy, and plenty more. With 103 films on the schedule, there’s a lot to discover.

A few films already caught our attention:

My Movie Starring Paul Dano

An aspiring filmmaker dreams that actor Paul Dano tells him to make a movie called Bear Naked Amazonians from Mars. Naturally, things get weird.

This playful comedy is also a love letter to the wonderfully chaotic world of independent filmmaking.

Skyward: The Sport Rocketry Revolution

This documentary follows Tim and Ashley Van Milligan as they prepare for the World Spacemodeling Championships.

Along the way, it explores STEM, mentorship, family, and the thrill of building something that actually takes off. It’s also a fun fit for Simi Valley, a city with deep ties to aerospace.

Blindsided

Prefer your movies with a little more bite? This sci-fi horror short follows a blind schoolteacher trying to survive after an alien spaceship crashes and unleashes a monstrous predator.

The film features an all-low-vision cast and uses sound to put viewers directly into the protagonist’s perspective.

Well(ness)

For something with a little more bite, Well(ness) follows a wellness retreat that spirals off-script when four women clash and drop their carefully curated social masks. This smart comedy takes a satirical look at self-care culture, packaged community, and the price of trying to be “well.”

And those are just four picks. There are 99 more films waiting to be discovered.

👉 Check out the full 2026 film lineup and schedule or see the list of finalists in this video.

 

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More Than Screenings

There’s plenty happening beyond the big screen, too.

SIMIFF packs its nine-day schedule with opportunities to meet filmmakers, hear from industry professionals, and experience filmmaking from a different perspective.

Panels & One-on-One Conversations

Festival programming includes panels and one-on-one conversations with filmmakers and industry professionals, giving audiences a closer look at the craft and business behind the movies.

Behind-the-Scenes Field Trips

Want to see where the magic happens? SIMIFF also offers behind-the-scenes field trips and opportunities to explore real-world filming locations.

SIMI Youth Film Fest: September 13

The next generation of filmmakers gets its own spotlight during the SIMI Youth Film Fest. It’s a chance to see what young creators are dreaming up and a fun addition for families attending the festival.

Film Music Concert: September 16

Then there’s the music. The Simi Valley Symphony Orchestra will perform film scores live, including selected works from the festival. It’s movie night with a live-orchestra upgrade.

Explore Simi Valley Between Screenings

Here’s the beauty of a film festival in Simi Valley: Once you’ve picked your evening screenings and events, you’ve got the day to play.

So, sleep in. Get outside. See some history. Eat really well. Then head back for the night’s films.

Need some ideas? We’ve got you.

Visit the Reagan Library

Make time for one of Simi Valley’s signature attractions: the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. The library sits high in the hills with sweeping valley views, and this September there’s an extra reason to visit. Its America 250 exhibit runs through September 20, overlapping perfectly with the festival.

Hike Through Movie History

If you want your outdoor adventure with a side of Hollywood history, head to Corriganville Park. The former Corriganville Movie Ranch was once a bustling filming location, with more than 3,500 movies, television programs, and commercials shot across its rugged landscape.

Today, you can hike through those same hills, spot remnants of the movie ranch, and imagine the Westerns, adventure films, and TV shows that once transformed the landscape.

Hit the Trails on Two Wheels

Prefer two wheels to two feet? Bring your mountain bike. Simi Valley’s surrounding hills and Santa Susana Mountains offer a network of trails with options for riders looking for a casual outing or a more challenging adventure.

It’s a great way to swap the theater seat for some fresh air before the evening’s festivities.

👉 Explore the trails.

Discover Local Flavors

Come hungry.

Simi Valley has a local food scene with plenty of personality, so skip the familiar chains and try somewhere you won’t find just anywhere.

• Grab breakfast or a casual bite at Junkyard Cafe, a colorful, quirky local favorite filled with vintage memorabilia.
• For Persian and Mediterranean flavors, head to Atlas Mediterranean Kitchen.
• Craving Mexican food? Elvira’s Mexican Grill serves up favorites with plenty of local appeal.
• Grab dinner at Sushi Tanaka, where an intimate omakase experience takes the meal well beyond your typical sushi stop.

👉Discover weird and wonderful places to eat that complement your film fest vibes.

Stay for the Closing Credits

Make the most of the festival by staying a few nights in Simi Valley. You’ll have more time for movies, more time to explore, and, most importantly, no late-night drive home after the credits roll.

Festival visitors can take advantage of a special rate at Grand Vista Hotel.

Use the group name Simi Valley Film Festival 2026 and room code 5648 for a rate of $122 + tax per night. Online, use group code G-5648.

👉Explore additional places to stay.

Come for the Films. Stay for Simi Valley.

Film may be the reason you come to Simi Valley this September, but it doesn’t have to be the only thing on your itinerary.

With nine days of movies and events at Studio Movie Grill, historic filming locations, mountain trails, local restaurants, and plenty of places to stay, SIMI Film Fest is a pretty great excuse to settle in and see more of the city.

Mark your calendar for September 12–20, 2026, explore the lineup, and start planning your Simi Valley film-fest getaway.