Big Bear Film Festival
The Big Bear Film Festival is un-apologetically built for the next generation of storytelling, embracing how narratives evolve across all mediums - from incredible films to traditional cinema, AI, and gaming, there's all sorts of creative works being made everyday.
Big Bear Film Festival
Where Bold Voices Meet Bold Ideas at 6,752 Feet
This fall, the mountains come alive with stories. The Big Bear Film Festival (BBFF) returns September 24–29, 2025, transforming our lakeside community into a six-day celebration of creativity, connection, and culture.
More than a film festival - BBFF is a high-altitude creative playground where cinematic excellence meets the future of storytelling.
Experience premieres and gala screenings alongside live music, stand-up comedy, immersive VR and AI experiences, gaming showcases, art installations, and cultural spotlights on diverse creators.
Enjoy nature pop-up screenings under the stars, inclusive programming, and daily panels, workshops, and networking events with industry leaders.
Whether you’re an indie film devotee, a casual moviegoer, or simply looking for a mountain escape with a creative twist, BBFF offers something unforgettable.
Between screenings, explore the Village, sip cocktails at a waterfront gala, or catch a midnight movie in the forest.
The kick-off event features a double-gala screening that includes Brother Verses Brother, a 92-minute live cinema experience directed by Ari Gold and executive produced by Francis Ford Coppola, and the West Coast premiere of Street Smart, a revelatory documentary about Afro-Latiné icon Sonia Manzano—best known as “Maria” from Sesame Street. Both films showcase BBFF’s commitment to lifting stories at the intersection of culture, disability, and representation. Street Smart is presented in partnership with We Are Invincible, BBFF’s disability-forward social impact partner.
Event Date, Time, & Place
September 24–29, 2025
Big Bear Lake, California
Plan Your Festival Adventure
All-access passes, day passes, and individual tickets are available — but capacity is limited and popular events are expected to sell out quickly.
Join us in Big Bear Lake for six days of films, music, art, and innovation. Because here, the stories we love start in the mountains.