AmDocs, the American Documentary and Animation Film Festival, returns to Palm Springs March 17 to 21, 2027, for its 16th year. Five days of documentaries, animated work, and music videos, mostly at the Camelot Theatres at the Palm Springs Cultural Center. Passes are already on sale, starting at $79.
The festival says it screens more than 270 films from about 65 countries each year, and it is an Oscar-qualifying festival for short documentaries and short animation. Workshops and panels are free. The 2027 program will be announced in early 2027. Here is what is posted as of September 28, 2026.
The quick version
| When | Wednesday, March 17, through Sunday, March 21, 2027 |
| Where | Camelot Theatres at the Palm Springs Cultural Center, 2300 E. Baristo Road, Palm Springs, plus the Plaza Theatre, 128 S. Palm Canyon Drive |
| Program | 270+ documentaries, animated films, and music videos; program announced in early 2027 |
| Tickets | $10 morning screenings, $15 after noon; passes $79 to $189 |
| Free stuff | All workshops and panels; community screenings |
| Kids | Under 12 free with a pass holder; some late screenings 18+ |
| Parking | Free parking at the Cultural Center |
| Official site | amdocfilmfest.com |
What’s screening
The 2027 lineup has not been announced. Filmmakers are notified by February 4, 2027. The festival accepts documentary features, documentary shorts, animated work, and music videos, and says more than 95% of its program comes from open submissions. Alongside the festival, the American Documentary Film Fund offers U.S. filmmakers up to $50,000 in cash and post-production prizes.
Last year’s winners
From the 15th edition, March 25 to 29, 2026:
- Best Feature Doc: Trains, by Maciej Drygas (Poland)
- Best Short Doc: The Baddest Speechwriter of All, by Ben Proudfoot and Stephen Curry (USA)
- Best Animated Short: A Man Who Takes Pictures of Flowers, by Yoo Lee (South Korea)
- Best Music Video: “Heart Failed,” by Diana Näcke (Germany)
Passes and tickets
| Option | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| The Big Deal Pass | $189 | Every film, entry before other pass holders, no waiting in line, never shut out of a sold-out screening, digital and print program |
| Flex Express Pass | $155 | All films, priority over single-ticket holders, digital program, Q&A access |
| 3-Day All-Access Pass | $99 | All films on any 3 days you choose, when inventory allows |
| 2-Day All-Access Pass | $79 | All films on any 2 days you choose, when inventory allows |
| Morning screening | $10 | Screenings at 11 a.m., 11:30 a.m., or noon |
| Afternoon or evening screening | $15 | Any screening after noon, with Q&As where scheduled |
| Closing Night and Awards | $15 | Awards ceremony and closing film |
| Workshops and panels | Free | No pass, ticket, or registration needed |
- Student discount: 25% off all passes with a valid student ID.
- Kids: children under 12 attend free with a pass holder. Some late-night screenings are 18+.
- Transfers and upgrades: passes are transferable, and you can upgrade by contacting the box office up to 48 hours before the festival.
- Refunds: full refunds up to 30 days before the festival; after that, passes can be exchanged for credit.
- Online fees: a small surcharge may apply to online ticket purchases.
The value math
Multiple films are often grouped into a single screening, so one $15 ticket can cover several shorts. Three afternoon screenings a day for two days would cost $90 in single tickets, so the $79 two-day pass comes out ahead. The morning slots are the cheapest way in at $10.
Venues
- Camelot Theatres at the Palm Springs Cultural Center, 2300 E. Baristo Road (between Sunrise Way and Farrell Drive), Palm Springs. The primary venue for a 16th straight year, listed as PSCC in the program. Three auditoriums: Cinema One (about 500 seats, with a performance stage), Cinema Two (about 130), and Cinema Three (about 100). There is an upstairs restaurant and bar and a full snack bar.
- The Plaza Theatre, 128 S. Palm Canyon Drive (between Tahquitz Canyon Way and Arenas Road), Palm Springs. A restored 700-seat movie palace that opened in December 1936, used for select screenings and special events.
- Palm Springs Public Library, 300 S. Sunrise Way. The festival lists it as a future venue for panels and community screenings; it is currently under renovation.
Getting there
The festival says the Cultural Center has plenty of free parking and sits on SunLine bus routes, with pickup and drop-off on East Baristo Road just outside the theater. The Plaza Theatre is downtown, within walking distance of restaurants and hotels, per the festival.
Local? Host a filmmaker
AmDocs has run a Home Stay program since 2012, matching visiting filmmakers with Coachella Valley residents who have a spare room, guest suite, or casita. Stays typically run 2 to 6 nights, up to a week. To volunteer as a host, email info@amdocfilmfest.com. Details are on the festival’s Home Stay page.
Still to come
The 2027 film lineup, the day-by-day schedule, opening night plans, and accessibility details for 2027 have not been announced. The festival says the full program will be announced in early 2027. The 824 Journal will update this guide when it is released.
Sources
- AmDocs, official site (2027 dates, festival stats, 2026 winners)
- AmDocs: Tickets and Passes (prices, FAQ)
- AmDocs: Home Stay
- AmDocs: Venues (addresses, auditoriums, parking, transit)
- AmDocs: Schedule (2026 recap, 2027 program timing)
- AmDocs on FilmFreeway (2027 dates, categories, notification date, Film Fund)
Featured photo: Toohool via Wikimedia Commons, CC0
