Experience Architecture Through Cinema: The 2026 Arizona Architectural Film Showcase, Phoenix

Architecture tells stories – stories of innovation, community, cultural identity, and the visionaries who shape our built environment. This April, the Arizona Preservation Foundation is proud to sponsor the 2026 Arizona Architectural Film Showcase, a unique three-night celebration that brings these stories to life through the lens of independent documentary filmmakers.

Presented by No Festival Required Independent Cinema, this carefully curated showcase does more than screen films – it creates an immersive experience where the venues themselves become part of the narrative. Each screening takes place in a space defined by restoration, adaptive reuse, or design excellence, reinforcing the very themes explored on screen.

Three Nights, Three Perspectives, Three Iconic Venues

Thursday, April 16 – 7:00 PM, Ancestral Artistry: The Influence of Africans and Creoles of Color on Louisiana Architecture, Third Street Theater, Phoenix Center for the Arts

Our opening night film shines a light on an often-overlooked chapter of American architectural history. Produced by the Louisiana Architecture Foundation and directed by Conni Castille and Charles Richard, Ancestral Artistry explores the profound legacy of Black craftsmen and builders whose artistry fundamentally shaped Louisiana's architectural identity. Following the screening, audiences will have the opportunity to engage with the filmmakers via Zoom Q&A. A no-host bar opens at 6:30 PM. Watch the trailer

Saturday, April 18 – 7:00 PM, Remembering the Future with Herb Greene (work-in-progress screening), The Pavilion at Taliesin West

The second evening takes us to one of Arizona's most spectacular architectural treasures for an intimate screening experience. Filmmaker and architect Lila Cohen journeys into the imaginative world of her 94-year-old great-uncle Herb Greene, whose visionary work emerged from the avant-garde teachings of Bruce Goff in 1950s Oklahoma. This personal documentary uncovers a lifelong search to express human feeling through architecture and invites this generation to rediscover meaning in design. Limited seating ensures an intimate experience in this Frank Lloyd Wright masterwork. The filmmakers, Lila Cohen and John Rogers, will join us in person for a Q&A following the screening. Doors open at 6:00 PM with a no-host bar and complimentary cinema snacks. Learn more about the film

Tuesday, April 21 – 7:00 PM, Going Attractions: The Definitive Story of the Movie Palace, Orpheum Theatre, Downtown Phoenix

We conclude the showcase in grand style at the historic Orpheum Theatre – a perfectly fitting venue for April Wright's captivating documentary about the evolution of American movie theaters. From penny arcades to grand palaces, Going Attractions celebrates the cultural and architectural impact of these beloved spaces that once served as community gathering places and temples of entertainment.

The Orpheum itself stands as a testament to successful preservation, making this screening a meta-experience where past and present converge. A no-host bar opens at 6:30 PM, with cinema snacks available for purchase. Watch the trailer

Why This Showcase Matters

The Arizona Architectural Film Showcase represents a vital intersection of preservation, education, and community engagement. By presenting these documentaries in architecturally significant spaces, we create opportunities for audiences to experience the power of thoughtful design firsthand while learning about architectural movements, forgotten contributors, and the ongoing relevance of preservation.

These films ask important questions: Whose stories have been written out of architectural history? How do visionary architects push boundaries while honoring human needs? What happens when we lose our historic gathering places?

About No Festival Required Independent Cinema

For over two decades, No Festival Required Independent Cinema has been a vital presence in Arizona's cultural landscape. Since its founding in 2002, the organization has presented hundreds of films and special events that champion independent voices and innovative storytelling. With recognition from Phoenix Magazine and Phoenix New Times, and collaborations with institutions including Phoenix Art Museum, SMoCA, and Arizona Opera, No Festival Required has established itself as a trusted curator of meaningful cinematic experiences.

Among its many thematic series, the organization has produced acclaimed programs exploring architecture and the built environment, featuring titles such as Visual Acoustics: The Modernism of Julius Shulman, MALLS R US, and The Competition.

Join Us

The 2026 Arizona Architectural Film Showcase is made possible through the generous support of our sponsors, including the Arizona Architecture Foundation, AIA Phoenix Metro, Armstrong-Prior, Arizona Preservation Foundation, Butler Housing Company, Coldwell Banker Historic Homes Group, DAVIS, Floor Associates, Jones Studio, NOMA Arizona, Papago Hotel, Preserve PHX, and John Woodcock Photography, with additional support from Friends of the Orpheum Theatre and the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation.

Tickets to all three screenings are available now at nofestivalrequired.com

Whether you're an architect, preservationist, film enthusiast, or simply someone who appreciates the spaces that shape our lives, this showcase offers a rare opportunity to see architecture through fresh eyes and celebrate the power of independent documentary filmmaking.

We look forward to seeing you this April.

Steve Weiss is Executive Director of No Festival Required Independent Cinema and curator of the Arizona Architectural Film Showcase.