The 2026 Arizona Architectural Film Showcase
April 16, 18 and 21, 2026 -3 films at 3 architectural treasures in Greater Phoenix Arizona
A curated annual showcase of independent architectural documentaries, screened in venues defined by restoration, adaptive reuse, and design excellence.
The screenings will be held at three unique Valley venues; Third Street Theater at Phoenix Center for the Arts, the Pavilion at Taliesin West and the Orpheum Theater Phoenix, all significant architectural spaces.
Sponsors
Arizona Architecture Foundation
Arizona Preservation Foundation / Preserve PHX
Butler Housing Company
Coldwell Banker Historic Homes Group
Supporting Sponsors
Friends of the Orpheum Theatre
Third Street Theater, Phoenix Center for the Arts
————
The Films
Ancestral Artistry: The Influence of Africans and Creoles of Color on Louisiana Architecture
Directed by Conni Castille and Charles Richard
Thursday, April 16, 2026 – Third Street Theater, Phoenix Center for the Arts, 1202 N 3rd St, Phoenix, AZ 85004
Doors 6:30, show at 7pm-No-Host Bar
Post-film: Zoom Q&A with the filmmakers-Ticket Info Soon!
Produced by the Louisiana Architecture Foundation, this film explores the legacy of Black craftsmen and builders whose artistry shaped Louisiana’s architectural identity.
Remembering the Future with Herb Greene
A Work – In – Progress Salon Style Screening of a film by Lila Cohen and John Rogers
Saturday, April 18, 2025 – The Pavilion at Taliesin West 12621 N Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd, Scottsdale, AZ 85259
Doors 6; Show starts at 7:00 PM
No-Host Bar and Complimentary Cinema Snacks
Synopsis
Architect and filmmaker Lila Cohen journeys into the imaginative world of her 94-year-old great-uncle Herb Greene, an architect whose visionary work grew from the avant-garde teachings of Bruce Goff in 1950s Oklahoma. The film uncovers an intimate story of the lifelong search to express human feeling and invites this generation to rediscover meaning.
Film Site with Trailer: https://herbgreenefilm.com
Tickets $32.00, includes service charge
Going Attractions: The Definitive Story of the Movie Palace
Directed by April Wright
Tuesday, April 21, 2026 – Orpheum Theatre, Downtown Phoenix, 203 W Adams St, Phoenix, AZ 85003
Doors 6:30 PM, Show at 7 pm
Concessions Open For Drink and Cinema Snack Sales!-Ticket Info Soon!
A captivating journey through the evolution of American movie theaters—from penny arcades to grand palaces—celebrating their cultural and architectural impact.
About The Arizona Architectural Film Showcase
The Arizona Architectural Film Showcase is an annual celebration of architecture through cinema, conversation, and community. Presented in architecturally significant venues, the 2026 edition features three documentaries by independent filmmakers curated by Steve Weiss, Executive Director of No Festival Required Independent Cinema.
Founded in 2002, No Festival Required Independent Cinema has been a vital presence in Arizona’s cultural landscape for over two decades. Led by curator and producer Steve Weiss, the organization has presented hundreds of films and special events that champion independent voices and innovative storytelling. Its programming has been recognized by Phoenix Magazine and Phoenix New Times, and it has collaborated with leading institutions including Phoenix Art Museum, SMoCA, and Arizona Opera. Among its many thematic series, No Festival Required 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. Through its thoughtful curation, the organization continues to connect audiences with the art, ideas, and creative communities shaping contemporary culture.
No Festival Required 