7 Colorado Film Festivals to Attend this Fall

Breck Film Festival | Sept 19 - 22

Hosted by the town of Breckenridge, the Breck Film Festival (BFF) celebrates its 39th year this September. Over 100 films will be screened in four venues throughout the four-day festival in a robust program that includes something for everyone from documentaries to films for kids. Opening the festival this year is the Billy Crystal / Ben Schwartz comedy “Standing Up, Falling Down.”

2019 Aspen FilmFest | Sept 23 - 29

Celebrating its 40th year, Aspen Film is set to make this a year to remember. The 40th Anniversary Filmfest will take place at the Wheeler Opera House and Metropolitan’s Isis Theatre in Aspen as well as at the Crystal Theater in Carbondale which will screen several documentaries. This year the films will range from Cannes Film Festival selections, including the Palme d’Or winner; biographies; political satires; and a world premiere. There will also be a range of panel discussions with special guests.

Crested Butte Film Festival | Sept 26 - 29

Established in 2011, the Crested Butte Film Festival brings 80 films, including several from around the world, to little CB for four days of films and conversations. Covering narrative, documentary, outdoor adventure, children’s, and short films, there will also be talks, panel discussions and parties among other events. There will be at least eight films with ties to Colorado. A highlight of the festival will be “Into the Grand” by Aspen-based filmmaker Pete McBride who walked the 750 miles of the Grand Canyon.

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Original Thinkers | Oct 3 - 6

In just its second year, Original Thinkers is still trying to understand the turbulent age in which we live through the stories of the people who are living through it. Comprised of ten shows, all of which have a short film as part of the presentation (show eight has a feature-length film), the festival will no doubt make you consider things from a different perspective. The Secret Life of Muslims: Richard McKinney caught our eye.

Grand Junction Film Fest | Oct 6

In just its third year, the Grand Junction Film Festival will be the closing act of the Grand Junction’s 4th Annual Downtown Art Festival. Taking place at the historic Avalon Theater, the line-up includes films from both local filmmakers and those from around the state and the country. There will also be panel discussions with, among others, five-time Emmy award-winning producer and director Neil Mandt.

Telluride Horror Show | Oct 11 - 13

A must-attend festival for lovers of horror, the annual Telluride Horror Show returns for its 10th year this year. Bringing the latest and best genre films from around the world to the beautiful San Juans, the festival is three awesome days of horror, suspense, thriller, dark fantasy, sci-fi and dark comedy. This year will also see a screening of “Tucker & Dale vs. Evil” with director Eli Craig which is appropriate given it was the closing night film at the inaugural Telluride Horror Show in 2010.

Ridgway Independent Film Fest | November 8-9 

Organized by the Ridgway Creative District and the Ridgway Chautauqua Society, a nonprofit organization that embodies the Chautauqua tradition by producing programs celebrating lifelong learning, the arts, culture and community, the Ridgway Independent Film Fest showcases the work of independent filmmakers - from local and regional to even international filmmakers. There will be a free screening of short films on Friday, Nov. 8 and Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019 at the historic Sherbino Theater.

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