ASPEN SHORTFEST: APRIL 6–11, 2021
Aspen Shortfest is film festival royalty. It draws in all of the big names each year (just like the town itself), from Oscar hopefuls to hangers on and film fest newbies. The festival’s premise is “taking a chance to be taken somewhere new and unexpected,” which is fitting for a film fest of this magnitude.
BOULDER INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL: JUNE 24–27, 2021
Boulder’s annual film festival has a reputation as one of the most influential young film festivals in the country. This event draws filmmakers from across the globe to project their work onto the big screen. Iif you’re looking for unique content from up and coming or seasoned indie film vets, this one is for you.
TELLURIDE FILM FESTIVAL: SEPT. TBA, 2021
One of the most impressive film festivals in Colorado is held right near Durango in the San Juan Mountains. That’s right; Telluride Film Fest is happening for 2021, and it’s always a huge smash. Each year this festival draws in the big names, like Peter Sellers (“The Pink Panther”) and Peter Bogdanovich (“The Sopranos”), who make the trek to this tiny Colorado town. If you haven’t made it out to the Telluride Film Festival, it is also the first place that “My Dinner With Andre,” “The Civil War,” “Twin Peaks,” and “The Crying Game” were ever viewed.
BRECKENRIDGE FILM FESTIVAL: SEPT. TBA, 2021
Breckinridge’s film festival has been a huge draw for film buffs for four decades now. That makes Breck’s fest one of the country’s oldest. Each year, about 50 or more films are screened at the Breck film fest — including shorts, independent dramas, comedies, and documentaries.
THE COLOR OF CONVERSATION FILM FESTIVAL: OCT. TBA, 2021
The Color of Conversation Film Festival is a relatively young festival that wants to “add some color to your conversation.” Held in Denver each year, this festival is an offshoot of the Academy Awards-accredited Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival, and it’s 100% worth your time. In festival years past, this one has showcased work from producers like Oscar-winner Viola Davis and workshops from actors like Tim Reid.
5POINT FILM FESTIVAL: OCT. 13–17, 2021
The goal of the 5Point Film Festival is, per the tagline, “Inspiring Adventure,” and that’s what you’ll get. This Carbondale fest is all about the adrenaline, whether it’s jaw-dropping cliff dives or some other heart-pumping adventure. The only thing you can expect is to have moments of heart-stopping fear and awe. Adrenaline junkies? This one’s for you.
DENVER FILM FESTIVAL: OCT. TBA, 2021
Denver Film Festial is another film fest mainstay. It’s the largest film festival in the state and has been running for over four decades now. There have been some huge films to land on the screen at this film festival in years past, including “Black Swan,” “Silver Linings Playbook,” and “Lady Bird.”
OTHER COLORADO FILM FESTIVALS
ACT Human Rights Film Festival in Fort Collins, March 19–28, 2021
Vail Film Festival, May 14–16, 2021
Mountainfilm in Telluride, May 28–June 6, 2021
Crested Butte Film Festival, Sept. TBA, 2021
Pueblo 48 Hour Film Festival, Oct. TBA, 2021
Dickens Horror Film Festival in Longmont, Oct. TBA, 2021
Indigenous Film & Arts Festival in Denver, Oct. TBA, 2021
Lyons Film Festival, Oct. TBA, 2021
Telluride Horror Show, Oct. 15–17, 2021
Rocky Mountain Women’s Film Festival, Colorado Springs, Nov. TBA, 2021
Nederland Film Festival, Nov. TBA, 2021
Winter Stoke Film Festival in Glenwood Springs, Nov. TBA, 2021
Reel Rock Fest, Boulder, Dec. TBA, 2021
Flatirons Food Film Festival in Boulder, Jan.–Feb. TBA, 2022
