Denver Film

Denver Film was launched in the spring of 1978 by a group of filmmakers, educators, and film-lovers who identified a need for a national-caliber independent film festival that would bring film artists to the Front Range. The first Denver Film Festival took place in May 1978, and featured 78 films on four screens over 10 days. Forty-three years later, Denver Film has tripled the number of films shown and quadrupled Festival screens.

In 2001, Denver Film acquired its first year-round home. At the Starz FilmCenter, Denver Film committed to showing high-caliber arthouse film found nowhere else. In the coming years, Denver Film would use the space and our growing footprint in Denver’s cultural scene to launch programs including Film on the Rocks, CinemaQ, Women+Film, and Young Filmmakers Workshops to serve cinephiles of all ages and backgrounds. 

In 2010, Denver Film moved to our current home at the Sie FilmCenter. There, we have carried on legacy programs and introduced new series to represent the changing Denver community. Programs started at the Sie FilmCenter include CineLatinX, Czech that Film, and Scream Screen. Denver Film also launched new partnerships, such as the Sci-Fi Film Series in partnership with the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, Festinema Jr. in partnership with Alliance Francaise, and National Theater Live and Bolshoi Ballet in partnership with the Cherry Creek Theater. In 2020, Denver Film is excited to partner with Dragon 5280 to present this year’s Colorado Dragon Film Festival.

In recent years, Denver Film has introduced new marketing techniques, revitalizing the organization’s social media presence. In 2019, Denver Film recorded approximately 1.9 million social media impressions at the Denver Film Festival, and 2.6 million at Film on the Rocks. For the first time, Denver Film is also creating original digital videos highlighting weekly programming for its membership and supporters.

Similarly, significant changes to technology in the film industry have impacted Denver Film partnerships and programs. In response to high demand for original streaming television, Denver Film has formed a close partnership with SeriesFest, a key industry festival which is a marketplace for new television pilots. Additionally, the 2019 Denver Film Festival featured 15 original pieces of Virtual Reality and Immersive programming, marking the third year exploring this exciting new frontier for consuming and creating content. 

Now entering its 43rd year, Denver Film continues to expand on its mission to develop opportunities for diverse audiences to discover film through creative, thought-provoking experiences. Denver Film is dedicated to engaging both our members and the general public in a lifelong relationship with film. From downtown Denver to the world-renowned Red Rocks Amphitheatre to our year-round home at the Sie FilmCenter, Denver Film brings Colorado communities together to celebrate cinema.