Last checked: October 2, 2026.
AFI FEST tickets are sold in several forms, and choosing the right one starts with the screenings you plan to attend. For the October 21–25, 2026 festival, AFI lists individual tickets, a ten-ticket bundle and several passes. A pass is not itself a screening ticket: you still need to reserve the shows you want. This guide compares the published options and shows how to evaluate their practical value.
Quick facts for the 2026 edition
| Feature ticket, excluding premieres | $19 published price |
|---|---|
| Short-film ticket | $12 published price |
| Red Carpet Premiere | $25 matinee or $30 evening |
| Ten-ticket bundle | $175; excludes reserved Red Carpet Premiere tickets |
| Star / Patron pass | $300 / $600 published prices |
| Individual sales | Announced to begin October 3, 2026 |
Individual tickets suit a short, specific visit
The official ticket page gives the individual prices above and a limit of four tickets per person per screening. It directs groups of ten or more seeking one screening to fest.boxoffice@afi.com. The displayed prices are the checked published amounts; confirm the checkout total and availability before payment.
If you want two ordinary feature screenings, the listed admission adds to $38 per person. Three features add to $57. For a single evening, compare that total with your transport and meal costs before considering a larger product. Buying more access does not create more time in your itinerary.
A bundle is different from an individual pass
The $175 ten-ticket bundle can be used across eligible screenings and assigned to different guests, subject to the screening limit. Its reserved tickets exclude Red Carpet Premieres. AFI lists early selection on October 2 and free rush-line access, including premieres, among the bundle’s benefits.
At full use, the bundle averages $17.50 per ticket. Ten $19 feature tickets would total $190, so that comparison gives a $15 difference before any checkout charges. But ten $12 short-film tickets would total $120. The bundle is therefore not automatically the cheapest choice for every program mix.
Another useful comparison is usage: eight ordinary feature tickets total $152, below the bundle price; nine total $171, also below it. A bundle might still have other benefits you value, but do not describe unused tickets as a saving. Count the seats your group realistically expects to reserve.
Compare Star and Patron access carefully
The 2026 pass page lists Star at $300, covering screenings other than Red Carpet Premieres, and Patron at $600, with premiere access among its benefits. Both include lounge access and screening-selection benefits. A Marquee Pass is offered by inquiry, while an Industry Pass requires accreditation approval.
The Patron benefit list says two tickets to all Red Carpet Premieres, while the general fine print says one ticket per screening. Ask Guest Services how that specific benefit is redeemed before relying on a second seat. The same fine print prohibits concurrent screening bookings, makes passes nontransferable and states no refunds or exchanges.
Compare a pass with the screenings you would otherwise purchase, then decide whether its selection, entry and lounge benefits justify the difference for you. Do not assume a pass can be shared among friends. If your group wants to split tickets, examine the bundle’s rules instead.
Reserve each screening and check the confirmation
AFI requires screening tickets even for passholders. Make a list of the films, dates and auditoriums from the official schedule, then reserve within your access rules. Keep the actual confirmation for each showing; a payment receipt for a pass and a reservation for a film serve different purposes.
Before completing a selection, compare it with the rest of your day. Leave a gap for entry, exit and any discussion following the film. A product that prevents concurrent reservations still cannot judge whether your personal walking, meal or rest schedule is comfortable.
Treat rush access as a fallback
Free rush-line access is not a confirmed reservation for a sold-out screening. Check the event’s current rush procedure with the box office and follow the instructions at the venue. This guide does not promise a seat, a queue length or an admission cutoff that AFI has not confirmed for your showing.
If a premiere is the sole reason for your visit, distinguish a reserved premiere ticket from a product that merely allows you to join its rush line. A fallback film can help preserve the value of the outing, but it cannot make an unconfirmed screening certain.
Resolve special requirements before paying
For questions about a pass or reservation, AFI lists FEST.BoxOffice@AFI.com and 866-AFI-FEST. Explain the exact product and screening rather than asking only whether a pass provides access. This is especially useful for the Patron guest-ticket wording or a booking involving several people.
If you require captions, audio description, an accessible seat or a companion arrangement, contact the team identified on AFI’s accessibility page before purchasing. That page also describes an accessibility-related refund provision, so do not assume the general pass no-refund wording answers every access concern. For the wider visit, see our AFI FEST guide.
Venue location
Venue orientation only; use the organizer’s map for event entrances and viewing areas. Open the venue in Google Maps.
Frequently asked questions
Is the ten-ticket bundle always cheaper?
No. Its value depends on the types and number of tickets you use. Compare the individual-ticket total for your own plan.
Does rush access guarantee entry?
No. Treat it as a fallback and check the box office's current procedure.
Can I share a Star Pass?
AFI's pass terms say passes are nontransferable. The bundle has different guest-assignment rules.
Where should I ask about a booking?
Contact FEST.BoxOffice@AFI.com or Guest Services at 866-AFI-FEST, specifying the product and screening.
Official sources and edition notes
- Individual tickets and bundle
- 2026 passes and fine print
- Screening schedule
- Accessibility information and requests
Dates, charges and access notes describe the checked 2026 edition. Confirm current organizer notices before traveling; a future edition requires new verification.
