Film festivals
- denverfilm.org
Although the Denver Film Festival is often
overshadowed by its more glitzy rivals in
Telluride and Aspen, the Mile High City’s weeklong
celebration of cinema is among the most
respected and enjoyable festivals of its size and
scope. The event will celebrate its 30th year
Nov. 8-18 at the Tivoli’s Starz Film Center.
While Denver’s event is user friendly and
affordable, the same cannot always be said of its
rivals to the west. The Telluride festival, Aug. 31
through Sept. 3, is largely an industry affair,
meaning the public gets the balcony – figuratively
speaking. The best bet at Telluride –
though it is not a low-budget option by any
means – is buying a pass (priced $340 to
$3,500), but even a pass does not always guarantee
a seat. In any case, for a true film lover,
Telluride is Colorado’s place to catch a first glance
at new work and paparazzi-wary celebrities.
Aspen Filmfest in late September is nestled
in Colorado’s glitziest movie-star haven, so
drop-ins from locals such as Goldie Hawn and
Kurt Russell are to be expected. But if seeing
movies are more important than star-sightings
and upscale dining, most of Aspen’s program
will be screened in Denver less than two
months later.
The Denver festival, with its wealth of some
300 features, documentaries, shorts, parties,
panels and special events, can be intimidating
to navigate. At any film festival, when mulling
conflicting programs, give preference to
screenings with in-person appearances by
directors and cast members.
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