April 16 - April 24, 2026 This Is Not a Fiction 2026 Festival | This year’s lineup includes 45 films with 15 premieres, 7 restorations and 32 guests along with in-person tributes to filmmakers Gianfranco Rosi, Barbara Kopple, Caveh Zahedi and Ross McElwee.
ABOUT THE FESTIVAL: The American Cinematheque’s ‘This Is Not a Fiction’ festival returns for its third annual edition from April 16-24, 2026. We are thrilled to welcome Barbara Kopple back in celebration of the 50th Anniversary and premiere of the new 4K restoration of HARLAN COUNTY, USA along with the L.A. 4K Restoration Premiere of AMERICAN DREAM. Closing night will feature a homecoming L.A. Premiere of LOS LOBOS NATIVE SONS followed by an in-person Q&A with the filmmakers Doug Blush and Piero F. Giunti and a special live musical performance by the band. This year’s festival also celebrates the 10th Anniversary of POPSTAR: NEVER STOP STOPPING with co-filmmaker Akiva Schaffer in-person and the 20th Anniversary of JACKASS NUMBER TWO with filmmakers Jeff Tremaine and Johnny Knoxville in-person. This year’s lineup includes 45 films with 15 premieres, 7 restorations and 32 guests along with in-person tributes to filmmakers Gianfranco Rosi, Barbara Kopple, Caveh Zahedi and Ross McElwee.