Mark your calendars. The Puerto Aventuras International Film Festival (PAIFF) is back for Season 3, taking over our marina community March 25 – 29.
If you’ve watched this event grow over the past few years, you know it’s no longer just a series of screenings. It’s filmmakers walking around the marina. It’s conversations after the credits roll. It’s golf carts lining up at the Par 3 for a drive-in movie night under the stars.
This year, PAIFF received 170 submissions and selected 99 official entries, with more than 77 projects screening over five days. The lineup includes 18 feature films, 52 short films, and 10 music videos representing 28 countries. The United States leads the slate, followed by Mexico, Spain, Canada, Australia, Germany and many others. It’s an impressively international program for a festival tucked inside a gated coastal community.
What to Expect This Year
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A major focus this year is the feature program, showcasing 18 pre-distribution independent films exploring themes of migration, identity, environment, family, music, and personal transformation. These are the kinds of films that stay with you.
One of the most anticipated evenings will be Saturday’s golf-cart drive-in at the Par 3 Driving Range. Guests can watch from their carts or settle into lawn seating. It’s uniquely Puerto Aventuras and easily one of the festival’s signature experiences.
Throughout the week, festivalgoers can attend more than 20 Q&A sessions with filmmakers, producers, and actors. Sunday includes a special panel discussion and a 10th Anniversary screening of The Weekend Sailor, the documentary about Mexican captain Ramón Carlin’s unlikely 1973 round-the-world sailing victory, narrated by Simon Le Bon.
Screenings take place across town at Dreams Resort, the Puerto Aventuras Golf & Racquet Club, The Divot, Hoyo 19, Nauti Burro, and Munchy’s Sports Bar. Programming includes morning sessions and evening screenings on most days, allowing attendees to customize their schedule.
The festival concludes Sunday evening with the Red Carpet Gala and Live Awards Ceremony at Dreams Resort. VIP guests will also hear from Román Rivera Torres during a special talk that evening.
Puerto Aventuras International Film Festival Ticketing Options
Pass options for the 2026 Puerto Aventuras International Film Festival range from $49 USD for a one-day ticket to $99 USD for full screening access. The VIP pass, which includes all screenings and the Red Carpet Gala, is $150, with early online purchases discounted to $120. Buy your tickets online.
Whether you’re a dedicated film fan or just looking for something different to do in town, PAIFF brings a welcome creative energy to Puerto Aventuras. And there’s something pretty special about watching a film under the stars, surrounded by neighbors, palm trees, and a row of parked golf carts.
2026 PAIFF Events Schedule
Wednesday, March 25: Kick-off event and check-in at Nauti Burro at 5 PM. Music video, animation and select screenings
Thursday, March 26: Morning screening sessions at Munchy’s at 10 AM. Evening screening sessions: SCREEN A outdoors at The Divot at 6:30 PM. SCREEN B at the Nauti Burro at 6:30 PM.
Friday, March 27: Morning screening sessions at Munchy’s at 10 AM. Evening screening sessions: SCREEN A outdoors at The Divot at 6:30 PM. SCREEN B at the Nauti Burro at 6:30 PM.
Saturday, March 28: Morning screening sessions at Munchy’s at 10 AM. Evening screening sessions: SCREEN A at PAR 3 Driving Range (Golf-Cart Drive-In) at 6:30 PM. SCREEN B at Hoyo 19 at 6:30 PM.
Sunday, March 29: Special Panel Session and Bonus Film: The Weekend Sailor. Evening RED CARPET GALA and Awards Ceremony and reception at Dreams Resort at 6 PM.
Where to Stay
Coming in from out of town to attend the Puerto Aventuras International Film Festival? Puerto Aventuras has a variety of lodging options for all travel styles budgets.
Puerto Aventuras Hotel & Beach Club
A relaxed, beachfront hotel nestled in the heart of the Riviera Maya with direct access to Playa Oasis and scenic coastline. Guests enjoy on-site dining, poolside lounging, and easy exploration of the marina, golf course, and cultural sites just steps away.
All-inclusive family favorite set on a sheltered bay in the yacht-lined marina village. Expect spacious suites, multiple restaurants and bars, pools, water activities, kids’ clubs, spa services, and plenty of entertainment in a tropical Caribbean setting.
A 4-star beachfront all-inclusive resort within Puerto Aventuras, offering private beach access, multiple pools, restaurants, spa services and close proximity to the marina and local attractions for a laid-back Riviera Maya stay.
Catalonia Riviera Maya Resort & Spa
A lively all-inclusive resort on the Caribbean with numerous pools, diverse dining options and beachfront access. Ideal for families and couples, with activities like snorkeling, yoga and a full-service spa.
Transportation
If you are looking for transportation to the Puerto Aventuras International Film Festival from the Cancun International Airport or the Tulum International Airport, Cancun Airport Transportation will get you there safely, affordably and on time.
