The 48th Denver Film Festival Satiates Audience’s Film Appetites
Image courtesy of Denver Film Festival
The 48th Denver Film Festival commenced this past week, beginning on the eve of Halloween and spanning until Sunday, Nov. 9th. With a diverse roster of films including international picks and Colorado local spotlights, the festival brought movie magic across various venues in Denver.
The nine day long festival saw movie enthusiasts gather at some of the city’s favorite theaters including the Sie Film Center, and attend Q&A’s and parties to discuss all things cinema. And between all of the movies and events, festival-goers were sure to not be disappointed by the abundant lineup.
This year’s lineup saw genre films, documentaries, animation and international works that each elicited viewers in their own way. From more whimsical works to emotional deep dives – each offered the opportunity to learn and feel through the big screen. Celebrations of the old and new were also central to the festival. Dedicated tribute screenings paid homage to late actors and directors, housing film masterpieces including David Lynch’s “Mulholland Drive.” Tribute screenings created a cozy atmosphere to celebrate and re-discover old favorites, while screenings of hot up-and-coming directors including Kristen Stewart and her debut feature film, “The Chronology of Water,” provided fresh inspiration.
Other standout films included Charlie Polinger’s psychological drama “The Plague,” which won him the Best Breakthrough Director Award at the festival, and Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners,” released in April, which the festival awarded actor Delroy Lindo the Next50 Career Achievement for.
For locals interested in learning more unique Colorado history and celebrating local talent, there was no shortage of films to explore between the animation, narrative and documentary shorts either. Feature length films including “Creede U.S.A.,” highlighted the unique dynamics of repertory theater and differing political ideologies in the small mountain town of Creede, Colorado.
Events were planned meticulously, and screenings included insightful panels that gave audiences insights into the processes behind films from various angles, sharing the enthusiasm of creating from an insider perspective. Post screening Q&A’s also allowed showgoers the opportunity to ask their most pressing questions and connect with creators and subjects on a deeper level. Other events included a filmmaker’s party, which provided a space for industry individuals in Colorado and beyond to mingle and network.
As this year’s celebrations have come to a close, the festival has continued to establish itself as a longstanding staple that attracts a wide net of talent with diverse stories to tell. Next year’s festival will hopefully continue to build on the strong foundation, in preparation for the milestone 50th Denver Film Festival in 2027, which also coincides with the Sundance Film Festival’s first year in Boulder, Colorado.
