Four days of new films and industry talk land about an hour west of Baton Rouge next month. Southern Screen Festival runs Nov. 19–22, 2026, in downtown Lafayette, putting screenings, workshops, panels, parties and live performances under one Cajun Country umbrella.

What the festival is

Southern Screen is a multidisciplinary 501(c)(3) arts organization that supports storytellers in film, music and related creative fields year-round, then peaks each November with the festival. Founder and executive director Julie Bordelon leads a Lafayette-based team that mixes emerging makers with visiting professionals.

Past guests on the festival's own roster have ranged from actresses Allison Becker and Alex Borstein to Magnolia Pictures president Eamonn Bowles, Foley artist Michael Lyle and producer Monty Ross. The programming pitch is practical: see something new, learn how it got made and meet the people who made it.

Why drive over

The Festival page frames the weekend as a downtown Lafayette celebration in the heart of Cajun and Creole country, with film at the center and music and networking around it. That mix makes it a stronger day trip than a single movie night at home, especially if you want panels and parties alongside the screenings.

Tickets

Check southernscreen.org/attend and the live Schedule page for 2026 passes and individual tickets. As of early November the Attend page still carried 2025 pass language, so verify current pricing before you buy. Sign up on the site for email updates if the cart is not live yet.

Southern Screen Festival Downtown Lafayette Nov. 19–22, 2026 southernscreen.org

Photo courtesy of Southern Screen.