Saratoga Film ShowcaseSaratoga Springs, NY — Following a successful debut year, the Saratoga Film Showcase (SFS) returns January 23–25, 2026, officially establishing itself as an annual event dedicated to celebrating independent filmmakers, regional storytelling, and the power of creative community.

Now in its second year, the weekend-long showcase reflects significant growth and momentum. The 2026 edition will feature 31 short films—nearly double last year’s lineup—with all but one filmmaker attending in person. Submissions to the showcase also doubled, underscoring the growing recognition of SFS as a meaningful destination for award-winning independent filmmakers and engaged audiences alike.

Presented with the support of community partners including Discover Saratoga, Saratoga Arts, and Putnam Place, the Saratoga Film Showcase offers a dynamic mix of film screenings, panels, live programming, and social gatherings designed to foster connection between artists and audiences.

Event Schedule & Programming Highlights

Friday, January 23 | 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM | Putnam Place

The weekend opens with Shorts After Dark, a bold, high-energy screening of inventive short films, followed by an opening night party featuring a seven-piece funk rock band. The evening sets the tone for the weekend, offering filmmakers and audiences a rare opportunity to connect in an informal, celebratory setting.

Saturday, January 24 | 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM | Saratoga Arts
Saturday’s programming explores two curated film blocks:

  • Coming to Terms – Stories in which characters face something unexpected, the unknown, or their own fears
  • Art About Art – Films that feature another artistic medium in their narrative

Saturday also features a special spotlight on practical special effects in independent filmmaking. Throughout the afternoon, special effects artist RJ Young will apply a live horror makeup gag on a model—culminating in a panel discussion that pairs low-budget ingenuity with industry-level craft. The panel includes Oscar-winning makeup artist Annemarie Bradley, who received the Academy Award for her work on The Whale, offering audiences a rare look at the full spectrum of what’s possible in cinematic effects.

Sunday, January 25 | 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM | Saratoga Arts

Sunday’s Home-Grown program is dedicated entirely to locally made films, serving as both a snapshot of the region’s filmmaking scene and a bridge between emerging and experienced voices. For several participating filmmakers, this will mark their first time sharing work publicly on the big screen.

Community Impact

As a nonprofit event, the Saratoga Film Showcase once again donates all proceeds to Camp Stomping Ground, helping send young people to arts camp and intentionally perpetuating the cycle of creative exploration. In its inaugural year, SFS raised $11,000, enabling six children to receive scholarships to attend Arts Fest—proudly demonstrating how celebrating today’s artists can directly support the artists of tomorrow.

Accessibility & Tickets

Weekend passes are valued at $100 and offered on a sliding scale, reflecting the showcase’s commitment to financial accessibility and the belief that communities thrive when art is made available to all. Donations will also be accepted at the door. Pass-holders who pre-order before January 23 will receive priority access to sessions throughout the weekend.

Tickets and additional information are available at:
https://saratoga-arts.org/event-6473240

Sponsorship Opportunities

The Saratoga Film Showcase is actively seeking business and community sponsors to support this growing annual event. Sponsorship opportunities are available at multiple levels, with a detailed sponsorship deck available upon request. Interested businesses are encouraged to contact Terese Russell at terese@discoversaratoga.org to learn more.

Quotes

Spencer Sherry, Showcase Director:

“We’ve strived to create an experience that’s geared toward both the community as well as the filmmakers themselves. We’ve brought together generous partners and sponsors that have ensured that the featured artists will be taken care of while they visit our city, and that this one-of-a-kind event is financially accessible to our locals. Film is an inherently collaborative medium - it brings people together. It’s with that spirit that we host the Saratoga Film Showcase and we hope to cultivate new relationships between these creatives and their audience.”

Darryl Leggieri, Discover Saratoga:

“The Saratoga Film Showcase has quickly become a point of pride for our community and a meaningful expression of Saratoga County’s creative identity,” said Darryl Leggieri, President of Discover Saratoga. “As the Saratoga County Film Commission, Discover Saratoga is proud to support an event that not only elevates independent filmmakers, but also reinforces our region as a welcoming, culturally rich destination for the arts. Events like this strengthen our sense of place, draw visitors during the winter season, and highlight the depth of talent and storytelling rooted right here in our community.”

Camp Stomping Ground Representative:

“Art has the power to change how young people understand themselves and the world around them. The Saratoga Film Showcase doesn’t just celebrate filmmakers—it actively extends that creative spark to the next generation. We’re incredibly thankful to this community for recognizing that when kids are given access to art, they gain confidence, empathy, and the courage to imagine new futures.”

— Laura Kriegel, Camp Stomping Ground

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