 |
| “The Gruffalo’s Child,” featuring the voice-over talent of Helena Bonham Carter, John Hurt and Robbie Coltrane, will be among the animated offerings at this year’s Durango Film Fest, which runs through Sunday. |
Durango Film Festival: The sequel
Take a seat, relax and enjoy the shows
by Stew Mosberg
Part of the fun and excitement for film festival attendees is deciding which of the myriad movies to go see. There may be a “buzz” surrounding a particular screening to help them choose, or some films may have received awards at other events; there is always a chance it just sounds good in the program.
Part of the fun and excitement for film festival attendees is deciding which of the myriad movies to go see. There may be a “buzz” surrounding a particular screening to help them choose, or some films may have received awards at other events; there is always a chance it just sounds good in the program.
FilmFestivals.com, one of many resources that track these events, lists more than 6,000 film festivals world-wide in any given year. Considering the enormity of that number, it is an impossibility to attend even a fraction of them. Better to stick close to home to get your film fix.
From now through Sunday, Durango Film (DF), formerly known as Durango Independent Film Festival, will screen close to 100 movies. Almost every genre of film is on the menu, including features, documentaries, shorts, adventure sports, LGBTQ, Native American and family. Plus there will be numerous presentations for the kids at schools in Ignacio and Durango.
|
Something to talk about:
|
Durango has been the scene of a film gala since 2001, when the Durango Film Festival held its first event. But when it fell inactive in 2005, the staff and volunteers regrouped and organized The Durango “Independent” Film Festival (DIFF) which only recently changed its name to the all-encompassing Durango Film.
Cinema buffs intent on seeing as many of the movies as they can may select from six ticket packages, beginning with the All Festival Pass ($250) which admits the holder to all films plus three of the VIP parties. At the lower end of the ticket scale there is a bargain price deal of two tickets for $20. Passes and information, as well as the extensive 62-page program, are available in the Ambassador’s Lounge of the Irish Embassy on 9th and Main Avenue.
Film festivals have become an attractive draw for small towns because, in addition to the movies people get to see, there is an opportunity to meet the film makers and on occasion the “stars” of the film. Durango Film is no exception; three panel discussions will take place at the Back Space Theatre and are free to the public. Among the actors, directors, producers and writers at these gatherings will be Colorado Film Commissioner Donald Zuckerman who will share his perspective Sat., March 2, with a presentation, “Making Movies: From the Inside Out.”
Although he is not a household name, Sterling Bachman also will be here with his parents. He is the featured subject in the short documentary “Sterling’s Special Love Holds,” which showcases the blind youngster, who also has a brain tumor. Instead of being a sad and disturbing story, it is a loving and uplifting portrayal of a boy who knows how to laugh and share his joy. He and his family’s attendance in Durango mark their very first vacation.
Small independently made films however, are not necessarily short on A-list actors. One charming animated film for example, “The Gruffalo’s Child,” boasts the voice-over talents of Helena Bonham-Carter, Tom Wilkinson, Robbie Coltrane and John Hurt. As another case in point, acclaimed actor Christian Slater appears in “Freaky Deaky,” which was directed by Charles Matthau, son of the late Walter Matthau. The director will be in Durango for his film’s screening.
One of the more celebrated options, “Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore” was the 2012 Academy Award winner for Best Animated Short Film. In fact, there will be several offerings shown here that have won international audience awards. In addition to the United States, entries come from New Zealand, Latvia, Argentina, the United Kingdom and South Africa.
All of the submissions undergo scrutiny by screening committees that evaluate their category’s films and then recommends which ones make the best selections. The programming committee then makes the final decisions on which are accepted and also determines when and where those films will be shown and which other films they will screen with.
Bestowing awards is also part of the festival; eight of which are juried and six of which audiences will choose. According to Joanie Fraughton, DF’s executive director, each film will be shown at least twice during the festival and she says, “Since this is a competitive film festival, may be screened additional times by the jurors.”
An event of this magnitude requires a cadre of eager and knowledgeable volunteers, generous sponsors, service providers and venues in which to show the films as well as hold events and lodge the VIPs. Durango Film is no exception. The festival “staff” includes 16 founding-member volunteers with another 100 added during festival week. There are also seven board members who are responsible for setting policy and building awareness of the festival and raising funds. Fraughton is the only paid employee in the organization.
This year’s chosen films will be shown at the Durango Arts Center and the Gaslight Theatre. The selected movies run the gamut from political and thought-provoking to whimsical and poignant.
One of the more imaginative offerings is a short film titled “Abiogenisis.” Only four minutes in length, this computer-generated flight of science fiction fancy presents a jaw-dropping vision of an extra-terrestrial “transformer-esque” mechanism landing on a desolate world. It leaves in its wake a planet teeming with flora and the potential for a future civilization.
Durango Film has put together a superlative festival this year, creating a unique and worthwhile entertainment choice for the weekend. So, buy some pop corn, grab a seat and enjoy! For a complete schedule go to www.durangofilm.org
In this week's issue...
- January 25, 2024
- Bagging it
State plastic bag ban is in full effect, but enforcement varies
- January 26, 2024
- Paper chase
The Sneer is back – and no we’re not talking about Billy Idol’s comeback tour.
- January 11, 2024
- High and dry
New state climate report projects continued warming, declining streamflows