Puerto Rico Film Festival 2026 commits to taking Puerto Rican cinema to international stages

The festival, which takes place from August 19 to 23, 2026 in Mayagüez, has the historic Yagüez Theater as one of its main venues.

Puerto Rico.- The Puerto Rico Film Festival celebrates its seventeenth edition with a clear commitment: to promote the internationalization of Puerto Rican cinema and create new opportunities for productions made on the island to find exhibition spaces outside the country.

Its director, Lester Rivé, explained that for several years they have been working to establish connections between Puerto Rican filmmakers and international film festivals, producers, and industry professionals.

“In this edition, we have many important people and visitors from different parts of the world whom we are bringing in to expand our reach, and to be able to create relationships and collaborations with other festivals. In this way, we secure opportunities for filmmakers,” noted Rivé.

A space to connect Puerto Rican talent

Beyond the film screenings, the Puerto Rico Film Festival seeks to become a meeting point for filmmakers, students, and audiovisual industry professionals, with a program that includes films, discussions, workshops, classes, tributes, and exchange spaces that allow participants to network and explore potential collaborations.

Rivé highlighted that this strategy is fundamental to continue positioning Puerto Rican productions abroad.

Cine Next bets on the new generations

One of the projects that is part of the programming is Cine Next, an initiative aimed at university and high school students that began two years ago.

The program allows young people to submit their work and participate in a day that includes short film screenings, talks, and workshops related to the film industry.

As part of this edition, the festival will feature the participation of Puerto Rican director Ángel Manuel Soto, known for directing Blue Beetle, who will offer a talk aimed at students, as an initiative that seeks to bring new generations closer to experienced professionals and provide them with tools to begin developing a career in film.

Puerto Rican cinema gains international visibility

For Rivé, Puerto Rico is going through a favorable moment for its film industry. The director highlighted the international recognition that several local productions and co-productions linked to the island have obtained.

Among the examples, he mentioned Esta Isla, which was present at the Tribeca Festival, as well as Summer of Three, a production that has also contributed to showcasing Puerto Rican talent outside the country.

He also highlighted the impact of films such as La Pecera, as well as upcoming projects such as Sana y Salva and Extranjeras.

“We are currently rising like foam”, stated Rivé when describing the moment Puerto Rican cinema is experiencing.

A schedule with premieres and co-productions

This year’s edition features a wide range of premieres and local and international productions.

The festival opened with Summer of Three, while the closing film will be Milly: The Queen of Merengue, a co-production between Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.

Also part of the Extranjeras programming, a co-production between Taiwan and Puerto Rico that will have its premiere at the festival, in addition to El Método, by Arturo Lizardi, among other productions.

For Rivé, the variety of the program makes these five days an opportunity for the public to discover stories and cinematic proposals from different places.

Industry figures recognized

The Puerto Rico Film Festival will also dedicate part of its programming to recognizing professionals who have made significant contributions to film, television, and the audiovisual industry.

In this edition, actress Marian Pabón, director and screenwriter Diego de la Texera, and actors José Félix Gómez and Esai Morales will be honored.

Morales will also receive a special distinction for his international career during Sunday’s session.

Rivé highlighted the importance of presenting these awards while the artists are active and can personally receive recognition for their respective careers. “It is very important to us that they receive these awards while they are still alive”, he maintained.

As part of the new features of this edition, the festival will also include a museum that will exhibit photographs, memorabilia, and souvenirs related to its 17 years of history.

With this programming, the Puerto Rico Film Festival reaffirms its intention to go beyond screening films: it seeks to strengthen industry connections, support new generations, and contribute to ensuring that Puerto Rican cinema continues to conquer spaces both on and off the island.