2026 FESTIVAL
COFFEE TALKS & COCKTAIL TALKS WITH INSPIRING VISIONARIES
2026
Join US for
Coffee Talks & cocktail talks
Our Coffee Talks are a unique opportunity to get up-close and personal with industry insiders, Festival honorees and special guests. Coffee is provided by Ulu Coffee.
Cocktail Talks offer the same intimate conversation, just later in the day! Join us
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These events are free and open to the public. Passholders receive priority access.
2026 Coming Soon
2026 Coming Soon
GUS VAN SANT
Friday, December 5
10am at the Argyros
Sit down with Vision Honoree and Dead Man’s Wire director Gus Van Sant. An auteur whose work has profoundly influenced contemporary cinema, Van Sant’s acclaimed filmography includes Drugstore Cowboy, My Own Private Idaho, To Die For, Elephant, and Good Will Hunting, which was nominated for Best Picture and Best Director at the Academy Awards. Join us for an intimate discussion of his life and career.
ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER
Saturday, December 6
8PM at the Argyros
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Arnold Schwarzenegger, an Austrian-born American actor, former professional bodybuilder, and politician who became one of Hollywood’s biggest action stars joins us for an intimate conversation. Rising to fame as a seven-time Mr. Olympia champion, he transitioned seamlessly into film with iconic roles in The Terminator, Predator, Total Recall, and True Lies, becoming one of the most successful actors of the 1980s and 90s. Beyond entertainment, he served as California’s 38th Governor from 2003 to 2011. He and his family own a home in Sun Valley and have maintained deep ties to the area.
COFFEE TALKS
CLINT BENTLEY
DISRUPTOR AWARD Presented by DEADLINE
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Sunday, December 7
10am at the Argyros
GREG KWEDAR
DISRUPTOR AWARD Presented by DEADLINE
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Sunday, December 7
10am at the Argyros
THE PROGRAM
Develop.
Connect.
Keep Writing.
COMPETITION
The High Scribe Screenwriting Competition selects an emerging writer to receive mentorship from SVFF's network of award-winning screenwriters and producers, access to Festival panels and parties, and a week-long residency later in the year.
RESIDENCY
The competition winner returns to Sun Valley for a week as Writer-In-Residence at the historic Ernest and Mary Hemingway House, owned and operated by The Community Library.
FESTIVAL
High Scribe continues through Festival programming, connecting writers with established creative voices and giving the wider community a closer look at the craft of screenwriting.