Olivia Wilde’s ‘The Invite’ to Open 2026 SFFilm Festival

Olivia Wilde’s ‘The Invite’ to Open 69th San Francisco International Film Festival

Wilde returns to the Bay Area on April 24 with stars Seth Rogen and Penélope Cruz to premiere her newest comedy-drama partially filmed in San Francisco.

Sofia Chen

Apr 1, 2026, 7:03 AM PT · 2 min read

Olivia Wilde Jason Sudeikis David Blaine — Photo: David Blane / CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

THE RUNDOWN

The Invite opens the 69th SFFilm Festival on April 24, 2026.
Olivia Wilde directed and stars in the comedy-drama film.
The cast features Seth Rogen, Penélope Cruz, and Edward Norton.
Key scenes for the production were filmed on location in San Francisco.
Wilde is confirmed to attend the festival's opening night in person.

The 69th San Francisco International Film Festival (SFFilm) has officially found its opening act. Festival organizers confirmed that Olivia Wilde's upcoming comedy-drama, The Invite, will kick off the festivities on April 24, 2026. The film is a particularly special choice for the local audience, as several key sequences were filmed on location throughout the streets of San Francisco.

Olivia Wilde pulls double duty on the project, serving as both the director and a lead star. She is joined by an A-list ensemble that includes Seth Rogen, Penélope Cruz, and Edward Norton. While specific plot details for The Invite have been kept largely under wraps, the San Francisco Chronicle reports that the film explores the complex and often humorous dynamics of a high-stakes social gathering.

Fans can expect to see Wilde in person, as she is scheduled to attend the opening night gala to present the film. The festival is set to run through May 4, 2026, continuing its tradition of showcasing diverse international cinema. Tickets for the opening night screening of The Invite and the subsequent festival slate are expected to be available through the official SFFilm box office.