Aspen Film hosts four signature events; Aspen Filmfest, Academy Screenings, Shorts Fest and New Views, each celebrating a style of film in the mountain playground of Aspen, Colorado. Aspen Film has made a name for itself in the industry with both the Film Fest and the Shorts Fest being named to “Best Of” lists.
Aspen Filmfest the landmark event that started it all is held in late September when the days are getting shorter and the night’s cooler, making it ideal to step inside a theater after a beautiful Indian Summer day in the mountains. This year will mark the 36th Aspen Filmfest showcasing acclaimed documentaries and feature length films. Film fans of all ages and inclinations repeatedly filled Aspen’s Isis Theater and Paepcke Auditorium to catch an array of independent and international productions and hear filmmakers share the stories behind their work.
The Shorts Fest celebrates a extremely creative style of film, the namesake “Short” These are Oscar qualifying flims that are featured in festivals around the world, funny, thought provoking and sometimes downright challenging you will be left with a full array of emotions and topics to contemplate. All styles are represented: documentary, drama, comedy and animation and all films must be forty minutes or less. The 23rd annual Shorts Fest will be in Aspen from April 8th to the 13 in 2014, just in time for the end of the ski season.
The Academy Screenings are timed to coincide with the holidays, providing some warm and cozy entertainment during the long winter nights. Featuring the favorites for the Oscars and giving you a chance to see them on the big screen if you missed them in the theater, or catch them again if they became one of your favorites. The line up is full of names you recognize. Films for the Academy Screenings are shown at the historic Wheeler Opera House and at the Aspen Institute in Paepke Auditorium.
New Views is the latest addition to the Aspen Film suite of events and is a series highlighting critically acclaimed documentaries with post-screening discussions featuring special guests. Documentaries continue to play an increased and exciting role in public discourse, bringing a vibrant voice to current events, personalities, and issues affecting culture and society. This selection of important films and speakers offers a fresh insight designed to intrigue, expand, and enrich the creative conversations of our time. The event is held in July and August, coinciding with the Ideas Festival and some of the other more thought provoking events that keep Aspen’s community intellectually stimulated.
Aspen is extremely lucky to have this caliber of event, let alone 4 of them, so no matter what time of year you are hear, or what your interest in film there is an event for you.