Durango Independent Film Festival

Attending the Durango Independent Film Festival was an absolutely amazing experience! Set in the beautiful mountain town of Durango, Colorado, DIFF does an incredible job celebrating independent films while creating a festival atmosphere that feels creative, welcoming, and genuinely centered around filmmakers and audiences coming together through cinema. From the people, the films, the events, to even the famous train excursion, every part of DIFF felt thoughtful and memorable. You could tell how much care went into making the experience special for both filmmakers and attendees. The programming was excellent, with high-quality films, excellent screenings, and strong audience turnout throughout the festival. The Q&As were especially memorable, with David Dibble standing out as an exceptional moderator who brought insight, energy, and meaningful conversation to the short film programs. One of the most unexpected highlights for me was the silent film experience, which completely rekindled my love for Buster Keaton and opened my eyes to how silent films are meant to be seen. DIFF is truly something special, and I would absolutely recommend it to filmmakers looking for a festival that values both incredible cinema and the people behind it.

Durango Independent Film Festival was a highlight! There are so many wins associated with with exhibiting at this special fest. To begin with, the hospitality is fantastic - they really make the filmmakers feel valued and work hard to connect with everyone and make sure their experience is all it can be, from transfers to/from airport, great festival lounges both by day and night with complimentary drinks, an excursion on the Durango train, which is a delight, and wonderful parties all throughout the event. They do a terrific job attracting audiences to the festival and give the short filmmakers two screenings, which is awesome. The quality of films curated was extremely high so it felt great to be included with amazing filmmakers. Lastly, the venues are terrific - good screens, sound and projection - which makes the experience even more valuable. One more note - David Dibble was a stand-out short film curator and moderator of the Q&As.HIghly, highly recommend applying to this festival and if you get in, GO!

Durango Film Festival was one of those rare festivals that actually feels totally built for filmmakers. From the coffee talks in the morning to the panels and the evening parties, there was a genuine feeling that filmmakers were connecting to each other and not just there to do promotion or have fun. The staff were excellent, friendly and warm, and communication was really good leading up to the festival. Once I got there, the staff couldn't have been kinder and warmer. Volunteers were all super nice as well, and Durango just seems like a perfect town for a film festival.

I was especially struck by how strong the other films I watched were across the board. Truly excellent work, and audiences who were engaged, curious, and clearly passionate about independent film. It was a cool mix of films as well. Some excellent award winning shorts and several feature documentaries, and I ended up seeing several films I loved, including an excellent Czech coming of age film. Our screening of "A Life Outside" was sold out, which meant a lot, but what meant even more was seeing other filmmakers show up for each other. That doesn’t happen everywhere, and Durango seems to foster that/ encourage the filmmaker love vibes.

The town itself is kind of perfect for a festival... walkable, beautiful, and just the right size to walk everywhere.

I was really impressed. This feels like a festival that’s going to keep growing and hope to be invited back!

THANK YOU!! Durango Film Festival is one of the best! Highly recommend!! The festival was celebrating their 21st year so it was special and really hard not to love every minute. Their curation of films is excellent, the Q&A's are thoughtful and dynamic with really insightful questions. They screen every film twice! The audiences are truly engaged, most screenings are sold out! There is a train ride, (a wonderful treat given to filmmakers by the festival- it has jaw dropping scenery, replete with film history --the train was used by Buster Keaton (The General) and for the film Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid among others!! They have wonderful gatherings nightly and early morning coffee talks and panels so you really can connect with fellow filmmakers. Fantastic restaurants, (some giving discounts) shops, and coffee places. I had a great time! Our short film, The Yellow Sponge is the Dish Sponge received an outstanding reaction! Special shout outs and huge thanks to festival peeps: Greg Weiss, David Dibble, and executive director, Carol Fleisher. I hope I get to return with my next film.

We had an absolute blast at Durango! Everyone was incredibly friendly, the programming blocks were so well thought out and full of awesome films, and the town itself is delightful. 100% recommend.