Phoenix Film Festival

ACTIVITIES & ENTERTAINMENT

It's all about the movies. The festival screens more than 250 films on seven screens, including U.S. and world cinema features, documentaries, Arizona-made films, and shorts. Many screenings include Q&As with directors and casts.

The program highlights a wide range of voices, with feature categories for Arizona filmmakers and for African American, Asian American and Pacific Islander, Latino American, Native American, and LGBTQIA+ directors. It's a great way to discover films you won't find at the multiplex.

The International Horror & Sci-Fi Film Festival, a sibling program of the Phoenix Film Foundation, brings genre films into the mix for fans of the strange and scary.

Between films, head to the Party Pavilion just outside the theater for festival parties and events. Filmmaking seminars and panels round out the schedule for aspiring creators.

With 11 days of screenings, pace yourself. Pick a few must-see titles, then leave room for a surprise recommendation from someone you meet in line. Juried and audience awards are announced at the end of the festival.

ON-SITE AMENITIES

Everything happens in one place. Screenings run inside Harkins Scottsdale 101, and the Party Pavilion sits just outside, so you can move between films and events on foot.

The theater has concessions, and the surrounding shopping center has restaurants for a meal between screenings.

Official programs are usually available at the festival's Ticket Center near the theater, along with a digital program and online schedule.

If you need accessibility accommodations, such as wheelchair seating or assisted listening, call the Phoenix Film Foundation at 480-513-3195 before your visit so staff can help you plan.

LOCATION

The festival takes place at Harkins Scottsdale 101, 7000 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix, AZ 85054, near Loop 101 and Scottsdale Road on the Phoenix–Scottsdale line.

FAQs About RVing to the Phoenix Film Festival

When is the 2027 festival?

The 27th Phoenix Film Festival runs April 1–11, 2027, at Harkins Scottsdale 101 in Phoenix.

Is the festival in Scottsdale or Phoenix?

The theater is in Phoenix, just west of the Scottsdale city line, despite the "Scottsdale 101" name.

Can I park my RV at the theater?

Plan to leave your RV at camp. Theater parking is set up for cars, and festival crowds fill spaces at peak times.

Where can I camp nearby?

Cave Creek Regional Park and McDowell Mountain Regional Park both have desert campgrounds within about 30 minutes of the theater.

RVING AT THE EVENT

There's no camping at the theater, but the north Valley has plenty of RV-friendly options. Maricopa County's Cave Creek Regional Park and McDowell Mountain Regional Park both have campgrounds with desert views and trails, about a 25- to 35-minute drive from the festival.

Private RV parks and resorts are spread across north Phoenix and Scottsdale, too. Reserve early, since spring is still busy season for Valley campgrounds.

Plan your days around the screening schedule. A rental RV gives you a comfortable home base to rest between films, and you can pack a cooler for long festival days.

Early April usually brings warm, sunny afternoons, so pack sun protection for hikes and make sure your rig's A/C works.

Got extra days? Stretch the trip into a road trip. Sedona's red rocks are about two hours north on Interstate 17, and Tonto National Forest's lakes and trails are an easy day trip east of the city.

WHERE TO STAY

If you'd rather stay in a hotel, there are several options within a few minutes of the theater along Scottsdale Road and the Loop 101 corridor. For 2026, the festival's partner hotel was Hyatt Place Scottsdale-North, less than a mile away, with a group rate. Check the festival travel page for 2027 partner details.

Make a weekend of it. Old Town Scottsdale's restaurants and galleries are about 20 minutes south, and the Desert Botanical Garden and Phoenix Zoo are within a half-hour drive.

HOW TO GET THERE

Harkins Scottsdale 101 sits at Loop 101 and Scottsdale Road in northeast Phoenix. Loop 101 connects with Interstate 17, State Route 51, Loop 202, and U.S. Route 60, so it's easy to reach from anywhere in the Valley.

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is about 20 minutes away by freeway. Road trippers can reach Phoenix in about five and a half hours from Los Angeles or four hours from Las Vegas.

PARKING

Parking around the theater is free in the shopping center's surface lots. Weekend evenings and opening night are the busiest times, so arrive early to find a spot before your screening.

Leave your RV at your campground and drive a smaller vehicle to the festival. The lots aren't designed for big rigs, and spaces turn over constantly between films.

TICKETS & PRICING

Tickets and passes for 2027 haven't been posted yet. Watch the official festival site for the schedule, single tickets, and festival passes.

During the festival, the Ticket Center near the theater sells tickets in person. Popular screenings and opening night can sell out, so buy those early.

WRAP UP

The Phoenix Film Festival brings more than 250 independent films to Harkins Scottsdale 101 from April 1 to 11, 2027. Plan a few must-see screenings, catch a party at the Pavilion, and spend the rest of your trip exploring the desert.

Browse RV rentals near Phoenix and book your adventure.

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