Film Festivals
Colorado's Front Range has become one of the most active film festival corridors in the country, with celebrations of cinema running nearly year-round from Fort Collins to Pueblo.
Here in Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak Region, festivals like the Rocky Mountain Women's Film Festival and Colorado Short Circuit showcase both international storytelling and homegrown Colorado talent, while nearby events in Denver, Boulder and Pueblo add even more opportunities to catch great films close to home. With Boulder set to welcome the Sundance Film Festival starting in 2027, the region's film scene is only gaining momentum. Explore the festivals below to find your next great night at the movies.
Pikes Peak Region Film Festivals
Colorado turns 150 this year — and we're marking it with the biggest cinematic celebration the state has ever seen. 150 films. 150 screenings. Historic venues from the mountains to the plains. Watched together, in person, the way movies are meant to be seen. The CO150 Film Festival is a collection of the best cinema ever made in Colorado, about Colorado, or by Coloradans — past and present. It's a once-in-a-lifetime celebration. And it's a genuinely good excuse to get off the couch. 10 films will be shown in Colorado Springs!
When: Summer/Fall 2026
Where: Various locations throughout the state, including Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum, Lulu's Downtown and Ent Center for the Arts
The StoryMode Independent Short Film Awards (SISFA) Film Festival is a two-day, annual film festival screening short films from all across the nation. Combining exciting films, red carpet events, amazing musical performances, and an interactive live show, SISFA takes film festivals to a whole new level. This is the festival's 15th year and its first in Colorado Springs!
When: August 21-22, 2026
Where: Colorado Springs School, Louisa Performing Arts Center
COLORADO SHORT CIRCUIT FILM FESTIVAL
Colorado Short Circuit is a 3-day event featuring award-winning shorts from Colorado Independent Filmmakers. Featuring films from Colorado Springs, Pueblo and Denver, Colorado, Short Circuit showcases short films from across our region. Each hour-long film block features a collection of short films and a Q&A session with the featured filmmakers.
When: Sept 11-13, 2026
Where: Ivywild School Gym Auditorium
Pikes Peak docuFEST continues to celebrate the power of storytelling through film. This festival showcases films from talented filmmakers all across Colorado and around the globe. These films will compete for awards in various categories such as the Audience Choice Award. A great opportunity to network, listen to live music, and experience thought-provoking discussion panels, but most importantly, watch amazing documentaries!
When: Oct 3-4, 2026 (event dates may change)
Where: Millibo Art Theatre
ROCKY MOUNTAIN WOMEN’S FILM FESTIVAL
The Rocky Mountain Women’s Film Festival is the longest-running women's film festival in North America with the 39th festival taking place in October. The festival showcases documentaries, narrative shorts and animated films that are thought-provoking and enriching, and that encourage global awareness and personal growth. The Rocky Mountain Women’s Film Festival honors films and filmmakers that present the world as women experience it and that inspire curiosity, educate, entertain, and stimulate conversation. Visit their website to learn about their year-round events, including Pop-Up Cinema, Film Club and Shorts Night.
When: October 16-18, 2026
Where: Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College
Poetry in Motion Film Festival celebrates the creative intersection of poetry and film, showcasing short works from artists around the world who use visual storytelling, spoken word, animation, and experimental filmmaking to explore the human experience. Held annually at the Cottonwood Center for the Arts, the festival highlights innovative interpretations of poetry on screen and provides a platform for filmmakers and poets to share their unique artistic visions.
When: October 14, 2026
Where: Cottonwood Center for the Arts
Fan of horror? Fan of film festivals? Come join The Independent Film Society of Colorado for their Three Nights of Horror Film Festival taking place at the historic Ivywild School!
When: Oct 17-19, 2026
Where: Ivywild School Gym Auditorium
The Kickass Film Fest is a festival by filmmakers, for filmmakers. Whether you’re new to the craft or a seasoned pro, this is your chance to feel like a star! With 11 premium awards in a Hollywood-style award show, a red-carpet premiere party, unmatched networking opportunities, and your film showcased in a state-of-the-art theatre before an audience of 300+, we’re more than just a festival—we’re a community for filmmakers and film lovers alike. Each entry is a 5–7-minute short film produced in just 72 hours with a required line, prop and character, along with a randomly assigned genre.
Filming Dates: Winter 2027
Awards Show: Spring 2027
Every March, Colorado Springs gets a taste of the world's largest adventure film festival. Mountain Chalet has hosted the Colorado Springs stop of the Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour since 2007, bringing three nights of standout mountain films to Stargazers Theatre. Each evening features a different lineup pulled from that year's Banff Centre Festival, with stories covering climbing, skiing, kayaking, biking and other outdoor pursuits from around the world. Proceeds from ticket sales support a local outdoor nonprofit, making the festival as much a community celebration as a film event.
When: March 2027
Where: Stargazers
The Student Short Film Festival celebrates the filmmaking achievements of UCCS students, showcasing short films created across a variety of disciplines and majors. The festival features an array of genres, including comedy, horror, animation, documentary, music videos, and films exploring social issues, all through the creative lenses of student filmmakers and often featuring local actors. Guests are invited to enjoy an exciting lineup of films on the big screen while connecting with talented student creators. Light refreshments are served, and audience members have the opportunity to vote for their favorite film and participate in networking opportunities throughout this celebration of student storytelling and cinematic artistry.
When: April 2027
Where: UCCS Campus, Dwire Hall
Front Range Film Festivals
Colorado turns 150 this year — and we're marking it with the biggest cinematic celebration the state has ever seen. 150 films. 150 screenings. Historic venues from the mountains to the plains. Watched together, in person, the way movies are meant to be seen. The CO150 Film Festival is a collection of the best cinema ever made in Colorado, about Colorado, or by Coloradans — past and present. It's a once-in-a-lifetime celebration. And it's a genuinely good excuse to get off the couch.
When: Summer/Fall 2026
Where: Cities throughout Colorado
A new short-film festival bringing together filmmakers from around the world for a three-day celebration of international short films. The event includes an awards ceremony and offers a substantial prize toward producing a feature film in Colorado.
When: September
Where: Denver, Colorado
Denver's flagship celebration of cinema returns each fall, and will celebrate its 49th year in 2026. Founded in 1978, it's one of the longest-running film festivals in the country, bringing thought-provoking and diverse films from around the world to venues across the city.
When: October 22 - November 1, 2026
Where: Denver, Colorado
The Pueblo Film Festival invites filmmakers from around the world to share powerful stories and creative visions on the big screen. Whether the film is narrative, documentary, experimental, animated, hilarious, haunting, or wonderfully weird—we want to see it. Film showings begin at 10 am and end at 6:00 pm. An all-day festival pass is $20.00.
When: November 6 & 7, 2026
Where: Pueblo, Colorado (Sangre de Cristo Arts Center)
For over 40 years, Sundance Institute has presented the Sundance Film Festival, cultivating a rich legacy and inclusive community of artists and film lovers alike. The Festival gathers more than 100,000 attendees for a diverse program of film and episodic screenings, talks, and events. It serves as both a destination for the independent creative community and a vital launchpad for artists worldwide. This year, we are proud to carry this mission forward as we build the Festival in its new home in Boulder, Colorado. And we are excited for you to join us!
When: January 21-31, 2027
Where: Boulder, Colorado
ACT is Fort Collins’ film festival. Based out of Colorado State University, ACT Human Rights Film Festival screens artistically excellent films from around the world and fosters conversations about social justice and human rights. ACT’s inaugural Fort Collins film festival was in April 2016, and the program has continued to evolve and grow. ACT Human Rights Film Festival is a program of Colorado State University’s Department of Communication Studies.
When: April 2027
Where: Ft. Collins, Colorado
The Boulder International Film Festival brings films and filmmakers from around the world to Boulder for a four-day celebration of the art of cinema. BIFF consistently features a wide variety of films from local, national, and international filmmakers, including many that have gone on to significant box-office success and multiple Oscar nominations. Adding to the BIFF experience are events featuring nationally renowned chefs, filmmaker happy hours, multiple opening night galas, talented musicians and much more.
When: April 2027
Where: Boulder, Colorado
Hosted by Su Teatro, this four-day festival has showcased Chicano independent film, Latino World Cinema and classics from Mexico's Golden Age since 1999. Now decades in, it's grown into a cornerstone event for Latinx storytellers and audiences in Denver.
When: April 2027
Where: Denver, Colorado (Se Teatro Cultural & Performing Arts Center)
Produced by Denver Film, this multi-day festival celebrates female filmmakers and stories centered on women's experiences. Each spring it screens a curated lineup of features, shorts and documentaries, paired with filmmaker conversations and community events, including the annual Barbara Bridges Inspiration Award luncheon honoring a notable woman in film.
When: April 2027
Where: Denver, Colorado (Sie FilmCenter)
A newer addition to Denver's film scene, this community-focused festival screens Colorado-made documentaries paired with audience discussions. It's part of ongoing programming at the newly restored Historic Elitch Theatre, bringing residents together around locally relevant storytelling.
When: May 2027
Where: Denver, Colorado (Historic Elitch Theatre)
If your film festival is not listed, please send us an email with all the details.
