Annual Film Festivals, Sci Fi, & Steampunk Events in Southern Arizona

Southern Arizona hosts a wide range of film festivals and conventions, throughout the year, showcasing everything from international independent films, westerns, sci-fi, and even steampunk.

Updated for 2023-2024

Southern Arizona is home to several unique and interesting film festivals (of all types and genres) and conventions throughout the year! Browse through this list for more on each festival, and stay tuned for updates!

September 2023
October 2023
January 2024
February 2024
March 2024
July 2024

September 2023

Tucson Comic-Con

Tucson Comic-Con is dedicated to bringing a community-based experience for all that reflects today’s fandom and the unique nature of Tucson, Arizona, and the American Southwest.

Dates: September 1st-3rd, 2023

Location: Tucson Convention Center

https://tucsoncomic-con.com/

16th Annual Arizona Underground Film Festival

Arizona Underground Film Festival, Arizona’s premier genre cult film festival and one of the most-recognized underground film festivals in the country, returns for the 15th time to Downtown Tucson. The festival showcases some of the best independent feature and short films in the narrative, horror, experimental, animation, documentary, and exploitation genres.

Dates: September 15th-23rd, 2023

Location: The Screening Room in Downtown Tucson

https://azuff.org/

October 2023

Loft Film Festival

Loft Film Festival is dedicated to showing the best independent, foreign, and classic films, and celebrates the work of both established and up-and-coming directors, writers, producers, and actors, with an eclectic mix of programming designed to expand the reach of cinema and to honor those with the passion to bring it to life.

Dates: October 11th-19th, 2023

Location: The Loft Cinema

https://loftcinema.org/series/loft-film-fest/

Wild Bunch Film Festival

Previously held in Wilcox, this family-friendly film festival and competition, solely for some of the best indie western films in the Southwest. Come see the works of independent and emerging filmmakers, screenwriters, authors, and more!

Dates: October 26th-29th, 2023

Location: Galaxy Theatres, 100 S Houghton Rd., Tucson

https://www.thewildbunchfilmfestival.com/

Film Fest Tucson

Film Fest Tucson is a destination festival, dedicated to showcasing high-quality short and feature-length documentary and narrative films, chosen for their quality, subject matter, and relevance to today’s world. The festival features a blend of emerging artists, as well as established filmmakers.

Dates: October 12th-14th, 2023

Location: Tucson Scottish Rite, and the AC Hotel Tucson by Marriott, plus some free outdoor screenings at Main Gate Square

https://filmfesttucson.org/

Tucson TerrorFest Horror Film Festival and Horror Convention

Tucson Terrorfest is the only all-horror film festival and convention, showcasing the aesthetic, artistic, and fun side of indie horror filmmaking. Come check out a terrifying mix of short and feature films!

Dates: October 19th-22nd, 2023

Location: The Screening Room in Downtown Tucson (Festival), 191 Toole in Downtown Tucson (HorrorCon)

https://tucsonterrorfest.com/

November 2023

50th Annual TusCon Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and Horror Convention

TusCon Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and Horror Convention returns for its 50th Anniversary! Come gather with some of the most dedicated fans of Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and Horror; as well as professional writers, film producers, artists, and reporters, at “The Best Little Sci-Fi, Fantasy, & Horror Convention in Arizona”

Dates: November 10th-12th, 2023

Location: Ramada by Wyndham Viscount Suites Tucson East

https://tusconscificon.com/

January 2024

Tucson International Jewish Film Festival

A celebration of films that inspire Jewish values, life, and learning, and those that honor the rich history and bright future of the Jewish people.

Dates: January 2024. Stay tuned for more information on festival dates!

Location: Primarily at The Tucson J, with some screenings at other venues.

https://tucsonjcc.org/film/

February 2024

Apex Film Festival

Returning for its 10th anniversary, the Apex Film Festival is dedicated to showcasing the best independent short films and music videos from artists from Southern Arizona and from around the world, plus Q&A panels with filmmakers in attendance, and a live musical performance.

Dates: February 2024. Stay tuned for more information on festival dates!

Location: The Screening Room in Downtown Tucson

https://apexfest.org/

March 2024

Wild Wild West Steampunk Convention

Wild Wild West Steampunk Convention (WWWC) is the largest Western-style Steampunk Convention in the country, fully immersing attendees in all things steampunk. Activities include live music, street performers, panels, workshops, and more! Come experience a subset of the Western culture that made Southern Arizona famous on-screen!

Dates: February 29 - March 3rd, 2024

Location: Casino del Sol

https://www.wildwestcon.com/

Arivaca Independent Filmmakers Exhibition

The Arivaca Independent Filmmaker’s Exhibition is a free event located in the small town of Arivaca, Arizona; dedicated to showcasing the works of Arizona filmmakers and themes inspired by the Desert Southwest.

Dates: Stay tuned for more information on festival dates!

Location: Arivaca Community Center, Arivaca, AZ 85601

http://www.arivacafilmfestival.com/index.htm

April 2024

Arizona International Film Festival

For 32 years, the Arizona International Film Festival has showcased exciting, innovative, and unique independent films from around the world to Arizona audiences. Throughout its history, the Arizona International Film Festival has exhibited over 3,000 films representing 100 countries to over 168,000 patrons in Southern Arizona. Enjoy the films in several historic venues in Downtown Tucson, and stick around for panel discussions with the filmmakers.

Dates: Stay tuned for more information on dates for the 2024 festival, or check the event website.

Location: Multiple famous and historic venues in Downtown Tucson

http://www.filmfestivalarizona.com/index.php

July 2024

Arizona Sunburn Film Festival

The Arizona Sunburn Film Festival is a festival celebrating films including music videos, short and feature length narrative and documentary, featuring those that were shot in Arizona, and from filmmakers that are from Arizona. AZ Sunburn Film Festival is a 2 day film festival in the hottest time, and for some is the best time in Tucson with the monsoon weather.

Dates: Stay tuned for more information on dates for the 2024 festival, or check the event website.

Location: The Screening Room in Downtown Tucson

https://azsunburnfilmfest.com/

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