Cinema Diverse returns to Palm Springs for its 19th edition

PALM SPRINGS, CA - (KESQ)- Cinema Diverse, Palm Springs’ annual celebration of LGBTQ+ films and filmmakers, returns this September for its nineteenth edition, bringing a wide-ranging lineup of feature films, documentaries, short films and web series to audiences across two festival weekends.

The 2026 festival opens Thursday, September 17 at 7 p.m. and runs through Sunday, September 20, before taking a short break and returning Thursday, September 24 through Sunday, September 27.

“I am excited about this year's program,” said Michael C. Green, Cinema Diverse Festival Director and Executive Director of the Palm Springs Cultural Center. “We have a diverse selection of topics, with something for every letter of the LGBTQI+ alphabet.”

Cinema Diverse opens its 2026 program with Mineshaft: The Cruising Murders, a new documentary from Emmy-winning filmmaker Jeffrey Schwarz, whose previous films include Vito, I Am Divine and Tab Hunter Confidential.

The documentary takes audiences behind the story of one of cinema's most controversial films, William Friedkin's Cruising, examining the real-life murder that inspired the film as well as the fierce protests surrounding its production and release.

Blending film history, true crime and queer activism, Mineshaft: The Cruising Murders explores the complicated legacy of a movie that continues to generate discussion and debate decades after its release.

The festival continues Friday morning, with the first screening scheduled for 11:45 a.m. Morning screenings throughout the festival will feature curated selections of short films, with more than 100 shorts presented over the course of the event.

Afternoon and evening programming expands into feature-length dramas and documentaries, along with a spotlight on the growing world of streaming and web series.

From groundbreaking artists and entertainers to personal stories of identity, history, family, faith and self-discovery, Cinema Diverse 2026 offers audiences a broad look at contemporary LGBTQ+ storytelling alongside films that explore queer history and culture.

With more than 100 short films, feature-length productions, documentaries and episodic programming spread across two September weekends, the nineteenth edition continues Cinema Diverse's longstanding focus on giving LGBTQ+ filmmakers and stories a prominent place on the Palm Springs cultural calendar.

Cinema Diverse 2026 runs September 17–20 and September 24–27 in Palm Springs. Tickets and passes are now on sale.