This fall, from early September to early December 2023, Western Colorado will host four film festivals in well-loved towns and opera houses. Each with its own beautiful backdrop to match the silver screen, the venues give cinephiles from around the world places to gather to see the newest independent films of the year.

Stories Worth Telling is a film festival hosted in Leadville that aims to connect brands, creatives and filmmakers through the power of storytelling. The festival is centered around four primary values: compassion, innovation, adventure and execution. On Oct. 14, attendees will enjoy music, storytelling and a film showcase to conclude the night at the Tabor Opera House. Some of the most anticipated films include From My Window by Futuristic Films and To the Top by F4D Studio, as well as an array of outdoor films.

This fall also marks the 50th annual Telluride Film Festival, which will be hosted from Sept.1-4 in one of Colorado’s most secluded mountain villages. Tucked in the San Juan Mountains, Telluride brings a laid-back atmosphere to the celebrated film festival, as attendees have the opportunity to speak with actors and filmmakers from across the world. One may find themselves chatting with Ruby Rich, Guillermo del Toro or Meryl Streep on their way to the opera house. The festival’s lineup is always a mystery until theevent, so film lovers everywhere eagerly await the selection announcement as the weekend approaches.

The Sheridan Opera House will also host the 14th Telluride Horror Festival, a highly anticipated event from Oct. 13-15. This festival will showcase the latest, best horror films from around the world, as well as suspense, thriller, dark fantasy, sci-fi and dark comedy films. Attendees from across the country will indulge in all things frightening as the festival offers feature and short films, special programs, guests and other events, with a lineup to be released within weeks of the festival dates.

The final film festival this fall will be Aspen’s 5th Annual Shining Mountains Film Festival, hosted at the Wheeler Opera House from Dec. 1-2by the Aspen Indigenous Foundation (AIF). AIF aims to give a platform for Indigenous people to showcase their rich cultures, wisdom and traditions. The Shining Mountains Film Festival sheds light on the unspoken truth of the United States and welcomes all who hope to learn more about Indigenous people, offering insight into the joys and tribulations of the first people of the United States.

Originally published in the Fall 2023 issue of Spoke+Blossom.

4 Film Festivals For Colorado Fall 2023