"25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World" - MovieMaker Magazine

Nestled among towering mountains and golden aspen trees, our intimate and free-spirited festival inspires audiences and filmmakers through quality film screenings, stimulating discussions, authentic connections and a ton of fun. In alignment with our mission, we curate bold, visceral, high-quality films that activate emotions and invite personal, social and environmental transformation.

In its 14th year, the festival showcases 75 feature-length and short films spanning narrative, documentary, outdoor adventure, student and children’s films genres. Additional programs sprinkled throughout the festival include panel discussions, meet-and-greets and other engaging networking events.

At Crested Butte Film Festival, you’ll be inspired by the transformative power of film, while making lasting connections in an atmosphere of beauty and creativity, fueled by great films, discussions, shared experiences, bike rides, hikes and our magical mountain scenery.

Thank you, CBFF! What an awesome film festival. Everyone was so kind and accommodating, and there were so many great films, Q&As and networking opportunities. Plus, it was set in the beautiful mountains with aspens at peak yellow and hiking trails nearby. What wonderful hosts!

-- Jessica Wilde, Filmmaker

Crested Butte FF was an amazing experience. It was really special to connect with the local CB community. The programmers are invested in all the filmmakers who attend and cultivating a spirit of connection and community during the fest. The hospitality was out of this world, never had this inviting of an experience as a shorts filmmaker. The screenings had some of the best films of the year, with Q+As which reactivated me as a filmmaker. I recommend to any filmmaker who needs a getaway with great mountain views alongside great films and company.

-- Saleem Gondal, Filmmaker

"Hands down one of my favorite film festivals in the world. The thoughtful selection of films paired with an intimate festival size makes for an amazing opportunity to get inspired and connect with other filmmakers in one of the most beautiful towns around."

-- Frank Pickell, Filmmaker

"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 and a lively arts scene.
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: 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

September 18 - October 22, 2024

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

SCRIPT ACCELERATOR AWARD
AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARD
BEST DOCUMENTARY FILM
BEST NARRATIVE FILM
BEST SHORT FILM - Narrative, Documentary and Comedic categories
BEST STUDENT FILM
SPECIAL JURY PRIZE
ACTNOW AWARD

JURIED AWARDS

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 awards films based on merit, innovation and outstanding qualities.

SCRIPT ACCELERATOR AWARD

One submitted Narrative Short film will be awarded a free, two-day, Script Accelerator script consultation ($13,000 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.

ACTNOW AWARD - ACTION & CHANGE TOGETHER

Our social action award is a cash award given to a nonprofit organization linked to a documentary film. If your film has a call-to-action component and is designated as an ActNow Film by the Crested Butte Film Festival, it will be considered for this award.

SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

For our 2024 season, we are open for submissions from December 1, 2023 - March 11, 2024.

Before filling out the submission form, please be prepared to provide the following:

Contact information
Full film information including a short synopsis
Entry fee (credit card)
A link to your online screener
Acceptance of Rights and Releases

FILMMAKER NOTIFICATION
All submitting filmmakers will be notified on or before June 10, by the email provided with your submission. Please add michael@cbfilmfest.org and festival@cbfilmfest.org to your email address book to ensure receipt of notification.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Film entries may be of any subject, from any country, and of any length. Submitted films should either be in English or include English subtitles. If the film is selected for the Festival, it is the responsibility of the filmmaker to provide the Crested Butte Film Festival with a file or exhibition copies by July 1, 2024.

QUESTIONS?
Please call Michael Brody, Programming Director, at 310.463.0707 or email him at michael@cbfilmfest.org

THANK YOU
We appreciate you sending your work to us and giving us the opportunity to program it for our festival. Obviously, films are the foundation of our festival and we appreciate the vision, creativity, time, commitment and resources that went into your work. Thank you!

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Piret Sigus

    Thank you! We are really glad that our animation was screened in Crested Butte Film Festival.
    Hope to be present in near future with new project!

    October 2023
  • Jessica Wilde

    Thank you, CBFF! What an awesome film festival. Everyone was so kind and accommodating, and there were so many great films, Q&As and networking opportunities. Plus, it was set in the beautiful mountains with aspens at peak yellow and hiking trails nearby. What wonderful hosts!

    October 2023
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    Response from festival:

    Hello Jesse and Josh,
    We loved having you at Crested Butte and sharing INHERITED DREAMS with our audience. You got me wanting that boat/sea adventure and I loved the written poetry in your film. Please stay in touch and let's meet up next time you are in Colorado.

    Michael

  • Saleem Gondal

    Crested Butte FF was an amazing experience. It was really special to connect with the local CB community. The programmers are invested in all the filmmakers who attend and cultivating a spirit of connection and community during the fest. The hospitality was out of this world, never had this inviting of an experience as a shorts filmmaker. The screenings had some of the best films of the year, with Q+As which reactivated me as a filmmaker. I recommend to any filmmaker who needs a getaway with great mountain views alongside great films and company.

    October 2023
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    Response from festival:

    Saleem,
    It was so great to have you, your team, and POST TERM play at Crested Butte and to get to know you as a filmmaker and an individual. Thank you for making the trek out to Colorado and being a huge addition to the festival with your presence, kind humanity and film knowledge. I look forward to seeing SUPERSONIC and to having you out to CB again.
    Michael Brody
    Programming Director

  • This was my FAVORITE festival of all, and we've been on a festival run since last January. Everything about it was wonderful - the wonderful staff and volunteers and community support, excellent films, stunning location, parties and brunches and hospitality, support for our film, and connections we made with other filmmakers. Those connections led to tangible help for our film and outreach work. If you ever get the chance to participate in this festival, leap with joy! This has been a bright light in my long film career. Many thanks to all who made it possible.

    October 2022
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    Response from festival:

    Hello Beret, Katrina and John,
    So amazing to have you and THIS IS (NOT) WHO WE ARE at Crested Butte. From the beginning, your film lived with me and made me see my hometown in a different light, a much more realistic light.
    You three brought so much to the festival and it was a joy to have you here, and so value your appreciation of what we do at Crested Butte. Looking forward to furthering our friendship and to having another of your films play at CB.

    Michael

  • The festival organizers were so wonderful at making my work feel valued. Despite not being able to make it in person, they provided a top-notch platform to enjoy the festival for weeks later on their virtual platform. And the curation of this festival was incredible. It's very reassuring to be in the company of such talent.

    October 2022
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    Response from festival:

    Hello Matt,
    My goodness, we loved VENEERS and are so grateful that you submitted it to us. Let's get you out to Crested Butte next time as we would love to have you (and you will love Crested Butte.) Looking forward to your next film (knowing full well they don't exactly grow on trees) and what you come up with next and looking forward to staying in touch with you.
    All my best,
    Michael Brody