City Cast editor Adrian González here! The Denver Film Festival is back Nov. 1-10 for its 47th year with nearly 200 feature films and shorts, along with special events. I spent a few years working at Denver Film, and this is the first time I get to experience it as a fan, so I’m sharing some of my top picks and a few tips on how to navigate the fest.
‘Lovers’
Exclusively shot in Colorado, “Lovers” follows two old friends returning to their hometown after a tragedy and rekindling their friendship through music at a local dive bar called Lovers (which Denverites will recognize as the South Broadway venue Hi-Dive). The movie is directed by Coloradan Taylor McFadden, stars local musicians, and features a new song by Nathaniel Rateliff.
- 👉 Psst! You can browse the Colorado Spotlight section of the fest for more local movies and filmmaker panels.
A gorgeous black-and-white documentary honoring Argentine cowboys and cowgirls in Argentina’s cattle country. It also won the Sundance Special Jury Prize earlier this year.
A delightfully chaotic encapsulation of the holidays, this cutting comedy-drama drops in on an extended family gathering for Christmas in Long Island, starring Michael Cera and TikTok icon Francesca Scorsese (whose father is little-known auteur Martin Scorsese).
A still from the film “Lovers,” shot at the Hi-Dive in Denver. (Courtesy of Denver Film)
This is a sinister thriller starring John Lithgow as an unhinged resident of a retirement home torturing his neighbors with a doll. This one is part of the Late Night program, my favorite corner of the fest dedicated to freaks and fans of genre films.
Directed by Malcolm Washington (whose father is also Hollywood royalty), this adaptation of August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel has a tagline to match its intensity: “blood is a chord that resonates through time.” It’s the story of two siblings battling over an heirloom piano and uncovering difficult truths. This is the Opening Night selection and includes a post-film conversation with Washington and screenwriter Virgil Williams.
Know Before You Go
Here are a few insider tips:
- ⭐ Become a member: At $65 for one, or $125 for two, Denver Film’s annual membership is well worth the price. You get discounts on tickets and concessions, early entry to festival screenings (it’s all open seating), and year-round perks at the Sie FilmCenter.
- ℹ️ How to get there and where to park: Screenings take place across several venues, so be sure to bookmark the How to Fest page and the festival FAQs. And always double-check the location of your screening.
- 🎟️ Standby tickets: Many popular screenings sell out fast, but if there’s something you really want to see, keep an eye out for “standby” tickets, which are given out at each venue’s box office beginning one hour before a sold-out screening time. If someone doesn’t show up or there’s extra room, you might just get lucky!
- 🎤 Panels and parties: Beyond the many screenings, there are also a number of panel conversations (including one about climate change in Colorado media) and parties (which are one of the best opportunities to meet filmmakers and industry folks).
- 💜 Be kind: This festival takes immense work from staffers and volunteers, so take any moment you can to compliment the folks who make this possible. And tip your bartenders!
Happy festival, movie nerds!
