Action Reclaimed: Big Bad Film Fest 2026

Six North American premieres, 20 explosive shorts, and a massive 30,000-piece tribute to legendary artist Tony Stella take over Glendale

The Big Bad Film Fest (BBFF) is officially returning for its fourth edition, and its mission is clearer than ever: reclaiming the big-screen experience for action cinema. Running from August 21st through August 23rd at the LOOK Dine-In Cinema in Glendale, the festival is set to showcase 11 feature films and 20 shorts that celebrate a diverse array of “visions, voices, and violence”.

A Global Slate of Premieres

This year’s lineup focuses heavily on international treasures and domestic masterworks that demand to be seen big. Opening night kicks off with the North American Premiere of Wings of Dread, a high-altitude thriller featuring Ashton Chen in a desperate struggle against a hijacker played by the legendary Iko Uwais.

Packed with major debuts, including:

• North American Premieres: Fans can catch the long-awaited sequels Crime Hunter 2: Bullets of Betrayal and Crime Hunter 3: Killing Bullet, the manga-inspired Match Monde (featuring a Q&A with creator Shogo Horiuchi), and Tokyo Burst: Crime City, a spin-off of the popular Round-Up series.
• West Coast Premieres: The lineup also features the hard-hitting Indonesian film Ikatan Darah and Li Bingyuan’s Drunken Blade.
• Closing Night: The weekend concludes with the North American Premiere of Fight Against Evil 3, starring Xie Miao.

Legends and Critical Insights

The festival also features high-profile guests and intellectual depth:

• A Salute to a Legend: Action star Michael Jai White will be in person for a career celebration and a 20th-anniversary screening of Undisputed II.
• Directorial Vision: Director John Hyams will host a Q&A following a screening of his DTV masterpiece, Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning.
• Original Perspectives: The event will highlight original program writing from acclaimed journalists including Jen Yamato, Valerie Complex, Brandon Streussnig, and Frankie Balboa.

Short Films and Artistic Archives

The 20-film shorts program features a wide range of talent, headlined by Shaolin Avengers, a “spiritual Furious reunion” from director Andy Le. Other highlights include Eric Jacobus’s Bag Lady, Euri Sakamoto’s Kicks of Fury, and Lorenz Hideyoshi Ruwwe’s Night Shift.

In a special tribute to the artistry behind the action, the festival has partnered with the estate of the late poster artist Tony Stella. A weekend-long gallery will display selections from over 30,000 works—including original sketches and finalized studio art—giving fans a rare look at the creative process of a modern genre icon.

From recently uncovered V-Cinema gems to modern masterpieces, BBFF 2026 is built for the true genre lover. Tickets and the full schedule are live now at bigbadfilm.com.