There’s plenty to look forward to in film fests this season, even after Telluride Film Festival and Toronto International Film Fest wrapped up earlier this month..
So what does fall 2023 hold?
Here’s a quick roundup of this year’s events, all of which would love your butt in one of their seats. The buffet of offerings allows for customization, so don’t be afraid to dive into the schedules. There is, as they say, a little something for everyone.
San Souci Festival of Dance Cinema
This Boulder event, which spans September and October, makes the art form of dance accessible with screenings, meet-and-greets and other activities. This 20th anniversary showing is more of a series than a discrete festival, with free virtual screenings through December and the in-theater “Dancing on the Planet” at Boedecker Theater at the Dairy Arts Center Sept. 24 and 27 (among others). sanssoucifestival.org
Breck Film Festival
With a whopping 100 diverse films, this event has a wider, more genre-agnostic perspective than most film events. Through Sept. 24, with virtual screenings running through Sept. 25, and a focus on girls-in-STEM.. breckfilm.org
Crested Butte Film Festival
Leaf-peepers can turn their colorful drive into an overnight or weekend destination with a visit to this fest, with screenings that take on social issues both domestic and international in addition to buzzy narrative features. Visiting filmmakers and panels round out events that this year include a program for kids and teens. In-person and virtual, Sept. 27-Oct. 1. cbfilmfest.org
Aspen Filmfest
This event, smaller than last year and based solely at Aspen’s Isis Theatre, runs through Sunday, Sept. 24, which means there’s still a chance to grab some individual screenings. In-person and virtual. aspenfilm.org/festival/filmfest-2022
Denver Film Festival
As the largest regional film fest in terms of sheer volume, and one that draws celebs and world premieres in addition to local docs and music videos, Denver Film Festival is celebrating its 46th anniversary with a typically robust slate (to be announced Oct. 3) at the Sie FilmCenter, Ellie Caulkins Opera House and other venues. It’s our favorite film week of the year, packed with in-person insight and fun, but we don’t know yet what 2023 holds, because the lineup will be kept secret until next month. Passes are available Oct. 6, with single tickets on sale in the coming weeks. In-person, Nov. 3-12. denverfilm.org
Rocky Mountain Women’s Film Festival
This smartly curated event at various Colorado College venues in Colorado Springs has evolved into an international celebration of women filmmakers and titles. It’s also the oldest women’s film fest in the Western hemisphere, according to organizers, and its 36th edition promises more of the same narrative features, documentaries and shorts that shed light on a host of issues — women’s or not. Oct. 20-22. rmwfilm.org/festival
Vail Film Festival
This late-season, competitive event is still taking submissions on its website, so a public lineup hasn’t even begun to take shape. There’s a screenplay competition open now for features, shorts and TV pilots. The schedule for the 20th event, which will feature dozens of films in the high country ski town, will be announced in the coming weeks. Dec. 7-10. vailfilmfestival.com
