CSIFF26 unveils 47-film lineup from 14 countries

Conch Shell International Film Fest will bring 47 films from 14 countries to New York City Oct. 9-11, 2026, with screenings, panels and awards split between Manhattan and Queens. The festival says the lineup underscores the reach of Caribbean and Caribbean Diaspora storytelling across the global film community.

Why it matters: - CSIFF26 is positioning Caribbean and Caribbean Diaspora storytelling in front of audiences, filmmakers and industry professionals in New York. - The festival’s 47-film lineup spans 14 countries, signaling a wide geographic reach for Caribbean-rooted work. - Early Bird Festival Passes are on sale now at festival website.

What happened: - Conch Shell International Film Fest announced its 2026 Official Selection, featuring 47 films. - CSIFF26 runs Oct. 9-11, 2026. - The festival opens Friday, Oct. 9, at HB Playwrights Theatre, 124 Bank Street in Manhattan’s West Village. - The festival continues Saturday, Oct. 10, and Sunday, Oct. 11, at Regal UA Midway, 108-22 Queens Boulevard in Forest Hills, Queens.

The details: - The selected films come from Aruba, Canada, Colombia, Curaçao, Dominica, France, Haiti, Jamaica, Martinique, Puerto Rico, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Suriname, the United Kingdom and the United States. - The lineup includes narrative films, documentaries and experimental work across the Official Selection. - Industry panels and professional development sessions on Oct. 9 will be led by Sekiya Dorsett, Stefon Bristol, Nambi Kelly, Angelina Villapiano and Gillian Isabelle. - Oct. 10-11 programming includes Official Selection screenings, filmmaker conversations, red carpet events and awards. - The 2026 CSIFF Award Jury includes Lamar Richardson, Sekiya Dorsett, Lu Childs, Stefon Bristol, Nambi Kelly, Angelina Villapiano and Gillian Isabelle. - Award nominees will be announced in September. - Founded in 2021, CSIFF focuses on screening Caribbean and Caribbean Diaspora work, building industry connections and increasing visibility for Caribbean-heritage storytellers in the American film industry. - CSIFF26 is supported in part by the A.R.T./New York Creative Opportunity Fund, Resorts World Gives Grant and a PSC-CUNY Research Award through York College.

Between the lines: - Founder and Producing Artistic Director Magaly Colimon-Christopher said Caribbean storytelling has no single voice and the festival creates space for different cultures, histories, languages, perspectives and experiences. - The Manhattan-to-Queens split reflects a festival designed to serve both industry-facing conversations and community-based screenings. - The geographic spread of the selection suggests CSIFF is building a broader transnational identity for Caribbean film, not just a regional showcase.

What's next: - CSIFF will announce award nominees in September. - Festival attendees can buy passes ahead of the October event. - The festival will publish and promote screening and panel programming as the event approaches.

The bottom line: - CSIFF26 is using a 47-film, 14-country lineup to make a direct case that Caribbean cinema is global, diverse and ready for a bigger audience.