"Top 25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World" - MovieMaker Magazine
Nestled among towering mountains and golden aspen trees, our intimate and free-spirited international film festival inspires through a setting of quality film screenings, stimulating discussions, and authentic connections. In alignment with our mission, we curate bold, visceral, high-quality films that activate real emotion and invite personal, social, and environmental transformation.
Always held during the last weekend of September, the festival encompasses the screening of 75 feature-length and short films spanning the categories of narrative, documentary, outdoor adventure and children’s films. Additional programming sprinkled throughout the festival includes panel discussions and other engaging networking events. In addition to the 5 day in-person fest, we now also host films virtually for a 10 day run.
At Crested Butte Film Festival, you are sure to be inspired by the transformative power of stories while fostering incredible connections in an atmosphere of spontaneity fueled by great films, shared experiences, bikes, hikes, and magical mountain scenery.
"What. A. Festival. I’ve never had, and could not imagine a better film fest experience. From the organizers to the volunteers to the people that come to see the films, there simply isn’t a more authentic, excited and loving group of people anywhere else. Everything about this fest is conducive to having a great time and meeting great filmmakers. Not to mention, Crested Butte is one of the most stunning places to see in the country. You can’t really explain it, you just have to go”
— Hugo Cordova, Filmmaker
A FILMMAKER'S FESTIVAL
Known as a “filmmakers festival,” you’ll experience an atmosphere of inspiration through well-attended screenings, high-quality programming, stimulating panel discussions, and opportunities for authentic engagement. This festival thrives on fostering lasting connections and partnerships among attendees, filmmakers, and industry professionals.
WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR
Genius. Artistry. Creation. A new way of telling a story. Connection through film, transformative experiences. Simply put, the best in narrative, documentary, short, outdoor adventure and children's films. We believe in the transformative power of film.
WHAT MAKES CRESTED BUTTE UNIQUE
Town: Crested Butte is a historic mining town turned tourist destination with world-class skiing, biking, and hiking.
Size: At just six by ten blocks with a year-round population of only 1,500 people, Crested Butte is a small mountain town that's packed with local character.
Altitude: A true mountain retreat at 8,885 feet above sea level.
Beauty: We're literally surrounded by mountains. Think epic panoramic vistas with snow capped peaks and dazzling golden aspen trees.
Fun: Off the charts. Bike parades, hikes through golden aspen groves, delicious food, craft rum, and plenty of magically spontaneous moments.
MISSION
Through the transformative power of film, Crested Butte Film Festival fosters connection and inspires creativity, cultural awareness and social action.
FESTIVAL DATES
In-Person: September 21 - 25, 2022
Virtual: September 21 - October 9, 2022
FESTIVAL FORMAT: ONLINE AND IN-PERSON
ALL selected films will screen online in our Virtual Festival. A smaller number of these selected films will also screen in Crested Butte at the In-Person Festival.
NEW AWARD FOR 2022
New for 2022, Crested Butte Film Festival is excited to announce that one submitted Narrative Short film will be awarded a free, two-day, Script Accelerator script workshop ($12,000 value) to fast-track the development of their next project (feature film, TV series, etc). This service includes the creative support of a team of filmmakers/writers who are Oscar and BAFTA nominated…imagine your very own writers' room where you keep all the credit. You can learn more about Script Accelerator at ScriptAccelerator.com
THANK YOU
Film has the power to bring people together which is now more important than ever. Thank you for submitting your film to Crested Butte Film Festival. We’re excited to experience it!
AWARDS AND PRIZES
AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARD
BEST DOCUMENTARY FILM
BEST NARRATIVE FILM
BEST SHORT FILM - Narrative, Documentary and Comedic categories
SPECIAL JURY PRIZE
ACTNOW AWARD (call-to-action, monetary prize awarded to one nonprofit associated with film)
SPIRIT OF THE FESTIVAL AWARD
JURIED AWARDS
Each and every submitted film is considered for a Jury Award. Selected films are then shortlisted based on their genre and characteristics and sent to our Festival Jury. The Jury then awards films based on merit, innovation, and outstanding qualities.
SCRIPT ACCELERATOR AWARD
New for 2022, Crested Butte Film Festival is excited to announce that one submitted Narrative Short film will be awarded a free, two-day, Script Accelerator script consultation ($12,000 value) to fast-track the development of their next project (feature film, TV series, etc). This service includes the creative support of a team of filmmakers/writers who are Oscar and BAFTA nominated…imagine your very own writers' room where you keep all the credit. You can learn more about Script Accelerator at ScriptAccelerator.com
AUDIENCE AWARD
A sure measure of success for filmmakers is winning the CBFF’s coveted Audience Choice Award. Solely determined by our audience, the Audience Choice Award is open to any screened entry and is determined by a weighted, tabulated-ratings ballot system on our festival app in conjunction with online trending and audience street reviews.
ACTNOW AWARD - ACTION & CHANGE TOGETHER
Our social action award - this is a cash award that goes to a nonprofit organization linked to a documentary film. If your film has a call-to-action component to it, and it is designated as an ActNow Film by the Crested Butte Film Festival, it will be considered for this award.