AmDocs
Film Festival
Celebrating Global Documentary Excellence
Where True Stories
Come to Life
The American Documentary and Animation Film Festival — AmDocs — is the Coachella Valley's premier celebration of non-fiction and animated cinema. Now in its 15th consecutive year at the Palm Springs Cultural Center, AmDocs has grown into one of Southern California's most distinctive film events.
From gripping investigative documentaries to breathtaking animated shorts, every film in our program is chosen for its power to move, provoke, and connect. Filmmakers travel from across the country — and the world — to share their work with the passionate audiences of Palm Springs.
American Documentary
Showcasing the most compelling non-fiction storytelling from across the United States — films that challenge, inspire, and illuminate the human experience.
Animation
Celebrating the full spectrum of animated artistry, from hand-drawn shorts to cutting-edge digital features, pushing the boundaries of the medium.
Palm Springs
Set against the stunning backdrop of the Coachella Valley, the festival brings world-class cinema to one of California's most iconic desert destinations.
Community
Free community screenings, filmmaker Q&As, and educational programs make AmDocs a festival for everyone — not just industry insiders.
Featured Films
The Last Glacier
Dir. Sofia Andersson
A breathtaking journey to the world's disappearing glaciers, following scientists and indigenous communities as they witness the irreversible transformation of their landscapes.
Voices of the Forgotten
Dir. Amara Diallo
An intimate portrait of displaced communities across West Africa, told through the eyes of three families navigating loss, resilience, and hope.
Code Red
Dir. James Whitfield
Inside the world's most secretive cybersecurity operations, revealing the invisible war being fought over our digital lives every second of every day.
Borderless
Dir. Carlos Mendez
An unflinching look at the human cost of border policies across the Americas, following migrants, border agents, and activists over two years.
Iron Curtain Rising
Dir. Katarzyna Nowak
Through rare archival footage and survivor testimonies, this film reconstructs the final days of communist rule across Eastern Europe.
A Global Stage for Documentary
What Attendees Are Saying
Hear from the filmgoers, filmmakers, and community members who make AmDocs what it is.
“AmDocs is the highlight of my year, every year. The films they select are unlike anything you'd find at a multiplex — raw, honest, and deeply moving. I've laughed, cried, and left the theatre genuinely changed. Cinema One at the Cultural Center is a spectacular venue for it.”
News & Media
2025 Official Selection Announced: 200+ Films from 48 Countries
AmDocs Film Festival reveals its most diverse lineup yet, featuring groundbreaking documentaries from emerging and established filmmakers across six continents.
AmDocs Partners with Global Docs Network for Expanded International Reach
A landmark partnership that will bring AmDocs programming to audiences in over 30 new countries through streaming and satellite screenings.
New Venue Added: The Grand Palms Outdoor Cinema Experience
This year's festival introduces an open-air screening venue under the stars, accommodating 800 guests for select evening premieres.
