2026 Festival Schedule
Benson Theatre - 6054 Maple St. - Omaha, NE
TIMES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
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TIMES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE //
Thursday, April 23
7:00 pm-10:00 pm: Festival Kickoff Reception - Krug Park (6205 Maple St.)
Kick off your festival experience at one of Benson’s favorite spots! Pick up your festival passes and programs and enjoy a beverage and snacks while meeting fellow festival attendees, filmmakers, and the festival crew! Plus, you’ll have an early opportunity to snag some festival merch!
free and open to the public (21+)
6:00 pm-10:00 pm: BFF Omaha Thursday Gallery Night
Check out some of the local art galleries in the Benson Creative District! Grab a map from BFF Omaha and stop by the 11 galleries open on Thursday nights while exploring the neighborhood.
free and open to the public (all ages)
Friday, April 24
Schedule subject to change.
Please note: these films are not rated. Some films may contain sensitive and/or triggering content. Viewer discretion advised.
Benson Theatre Doors Open: 5:00 pm
5:00 pm-6:30 pm: Red Carpet Happy Hour
Show off your red carpet style at the Party Booth Omaha photo booth, grab a beverage from the bar, and mingle with fellow festival goers and filmmakers! Be sure to pick up your festival passes and check out the merch table.
free with All-Access Pass or Friday Day Pass
6:30 pm: Opening Remarks
Hear from the festival crew and find out everything you need to know about festival weekend. Also, learn about the Benson Theatre and their role in the community!
free with All-Access Pass or Friday Day Pass
6:30 pm-10:00 pm: Film Programming TBA
free with All-Access Pass or Friday Day Pass
10:00 pm-2:00 am: Pinball & Patio Party - Beercade + St. Andrew’s Pub (6104 Maple St.)
Grab some quarters and hit the arcade games or chill out on the patio!
$5 / free with All-Access Pass (21+)
Saturday, April 25
Schedule subject to change.
Please note: these films are not rated. Some films may contain sensitive and/or triggering content. Viewer discretion advised.
Benson Theatre Doors Open: 10:00 am
10:00 am-11:00 am: Saturday Morning Cartoons
Head to the Benson Theatre lobby to load up on free coffee from Rally Coffee Co. and enjoy a free cereal bar! Get cozy in the theatre while you take in some vintage Saturday Morning Cartoons, featuring favorites like Bugs Bunny, Popeye, Superman, and more!
free with All-Access Pass or Saturday Day Pass
11:00 am-3:00 pm: Film Programming TBA
free with All-Access Pass or Saturday Day Pass
3:00 pm-4:00 pm: Afternoon Intermission
Stroll the Benson strip and support local businesses! Don’t forget to take advantage of your festival pass perks and discounts.
The Benson Theatre lobby will be closed during this time.
4:00 pm-6:00 pm: Red Carpet Happy Hour Reception
Enjoy a beverage in the lobby and chat with local filmmakers!
free and open to the public (21+)
6:00 pm-10:00 pm: Film Programming TBA
free with All-Access Pass or Saturday Day Pass
10:00 pm-2:00 am: Saturday Night at the Syd - The Sydney (5918 Maple St.)
Head to the Syd for the Saturday night after party! Legendary Omaha DJ Crabrangucci will be spinning. Tip your bartender.
$5 / free with All-Access Pass (21+)
Sunday, April 26
Please note: these films are not rated. Some films may contain sensitive and/or triggering content. Viewer discretion advised.
Benson Theatre Doors Open: 11:00 am
10:00 am-11:00 am: BFF Green Team Community Cleanup
Give back to the community and join the BFF Green Team for their Sunday morning neighborhood cleanup! Meet behind BFF Omaha’s Petshop building (2725 N 62nd St.) to join in on the fun.
free and open to the public (all ages)
11:00 am-12:00 pm: Student Film Sunday
free with All-Access Pass or Sunday Day Pass
12:00 pm-1:30 pm: Filmmaker Networking Mixer
free with All-Access Pass or Sunday Day Pass
1:30 pm-5:00 pm: Film Programming TBA
free with All-Access Pass or Sunday Day Pass
5:30 pm-8:00 pm: Awards Reception - 11 Eleven (6061 Maple St.)
Join us for our first-ever Awards Reception! Wind down the 2026 festival with us as we acknowledge Benson’s favorite films.
free and open to the public (21+)