38th Annual Film Festival

Breckenridge Film Festival

BRECKENRIDGE FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES STAR-STUDDED LINE-UP

Special guests including Academy Award winner Mira Sorvino and Michael Shannon, plus world premieres, 70+ inspirational films and more offered up for the 38th edition

The stars have aligned for the 38th edition of the Breckenridge Film Festival from September 20 – 23 with a stellar line-up of special guests from Hollywood, inspiring films, up-and-coming filmmakers, premieres, cutting-edge programming, unique experiences, parties, and fall foliage leaf-peeping. The festival’s setting in the culturally vibrant arts district provides the ideal scene for a convergence of film enthusiasts, stories and filmmakers.

“We are elated to host Academy Award winner Mira Sorvino to premiere her latest film, Waterlily Jaguar at this year’s festival, along with her co-stars, director, and producers,” says Breckenridge Film Festival’s Executive Director Janice Miller. “In addition, actor Michael Shannon is joining the festivities where he’ll receive a Career Achievement Award and screen his upcoming film, What They Had, scheduled to hit theaters in October. Plus, there are so many other highlights and offerings that have aligned this year, culminating in what we believe is a true milestone in our 38 years of this film festival.”

Showcasing over 70 films, this year’s lineup includes four world premieres and 37 Colorado premieres. Film blocks feature stories of adventure, insightful documentaries, comedic shorts, suspenseful dramas, and a highly regarded student film program. Actors, directors, producers, animators, and film enthusiasts come together starting Thursday night through Sunday evening for screenings, workshops, talk-back forums, and of course, parties.

As part of its ongoing mission to inspire, educate, and entertain, the 38th annual Breckenridge Film Festival is honored to present the following featured programming at the Riverwalk Center:

OPENING NIGHT | Love, Gilda – Thursday, Sept. 20, 7:00 p.m.: In her own words, comedienne Gilda Radner looks back and reflects on her life and career. Director Lisa Dapolito masterfully weaves together recently discovered audiotapes, interviews with her friends, rare home movies and diaries read by modern-day comediennes (including Amy Poehler).  Love, Gilda offers a unique window into the honest and whimsical world of a beloved performer whose greatest role was sharing her story. Love, Gilda was selected as the Opening Night for the 2018 Tribeca Film Festival. The film is slated for a nationwide theatrical release beginning September 21. The Opening Night film is sponsored by Breckenridge Associates Real Estate, with the acclaimed Opening Night Party following, sponsored by Pinnacle Gives.

ADVENTURE REEL | Andy Irons: Kissed By God – Friday, Sept. 21, 7:30 p.m.:  Three-time world champion surfer Andy Irons was an incredible presence on the world stage as the “People’s Champion.” He was the pride of Hawaii and revered around the world for his blue-collar rise to fame and success. However, many were unaware of the internal battles that led to his demise. This Teton Gravity Research film is about bipolar disorder and opioid addiction as seen through Iron’s life. He struggled with the same demons that millions of people worldwide battle with daily. Note: Viewer discretion is advised due to mature content surrounding substance abuse, adult language, mental health issues, and addiction. This evening is sponsored by local mountaineering shop, Mountain Outfitters, and includes door prize giveaways.

SPECIAL GUEST MICHAEL SHANNON | Career Achievement Award and What They Had – Saturday, Sept. 22, 3:00 p.m.: Award presentation followed by film and question and answer with Michael Shannon. What They Had was written and directed by Elizabeth Chomko. Bridget (Hilary Swank) returns home at her brother’s (Michael Shannon) urging to deal with her ailing mother (Blythe Danner) and her father’s (Robert Forster) reluctance to let go of their life together. The film had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 21 and will be released in the United States on October 19 by Bleecker Street. What They Had received many accolades, including Truly Moving Picture Award at Heartland Film 2018 and People’s Choice Award at Toronto International Film Festival 2018. This program is supported from Wyndham Vacation Rentals.

AWARDS + RED CARPET REEL | World Premiere of Waterlily Jaguar and special guests – Saturday, Sept. 22, 7:00 p.m.: Awards to be presented include ‘Best of Fest’ in the categories of Documentary, High School, Adventure, Short Comedy, Animation, Human Spirit, Short Drama, Student, Drama, Comedy and Music Video, plus Director, Actor, Actress, Editing, Cinematography, Screenplay and “Director’s Choice”. The World Premiere of Waterlily Jaguar follows as this year’s Red Carpet Reel. Bob Price (James LeGros), a famous novelist known for his “airport” bestsellers, seeks to write something more meaningful for his new book, but his quest for truth and happiness sends him tumbling down a spiral of obsession that may leave the relationships he has already forged in shambles, including his marriage to Helen (Mira Sorvino). Special guests in attendance include Academy Award winner Mira Sorvino, James Gros, Christopher Backus, Steven Swadling, Director Melora Walters, and Producers Mark Mathias Sayre and Jonathan Piumelli. Alpine Bank proudly presents the evening, with support from Breckenridge Grand Vacations.

BRAND CAMP with CampSight | Branded Storytelling – Sunday, Sept. 23, 6:00 p.m.: This collaboration of the Breck Film Fest and CampSight (formerly Camp 9600’) breaks new ground with the cutting-edge concept of branded storytelling in the filmmaking realm. From the integration of technology with a 360-degree, immersive film from Mammoth Lakes to a moving tribute to a cult brand, Airstream, other films include Royal Caribbean’s The Master Carver, Carhartt’s Walk By Faith, and selections from Otterbox. Filmmaker Jacob Rosenberg extracts nuggets from creators, producers, and brands themselves to share with the audience. He is the founder of The Reserve Label, an award-winning team of producers and directors who strive to immerse audiences into innovative entertainment experiences across the media spectrum. This evening program is ideal for general audiences as well as industry professionals. Brand Camp brings the film festival to a close and kickoffs CampSight, an innovation and marketing camp for outdoor-inspired brands, visionaries, and storytellers; it runs through Tuesday, Sept. 25. Door prize giveaways from Otterbox and Carhartt complement the evening. Brand Camp is supported by Summit Mountain Rentals, Fireside Inn & Active Interest Media; the Wrap Party that follows is sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mountain Properties.

To enhance its mission to inspire, the Breckenridge Film Festival is honored to present:

INTERNATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL FILM FINALISTS | FREE – Saturday, September 22, 10:00 a.m.: The Colorado Office of Film, Television & Media in partnership with the Thompson School District proudly present the 22 finalists of over 200 films submitted to the Breckenridge Film Festival. The best from Colorado high school filmmakers were screened in June at the Centennial State Student Film Festival, with finalists moving on to the Breckenridge competition. High school students are invited to accompany their work, which is critiqued at a roundtable discussion by professional filmmakers attending the Breck Film Fest. The top three films, as decided by a nationwide reviewing panel, receive cash prizes. Finalists include The Magic of Reading, Behind the Curtain, Le Marbre, Rememory, Dream on Bypass, Order Up, Coaching Wrestling, Boundless, Jasmine Stung, Vietnam War, Midnight Train to Memphis, Turn to Stone, Lone Wolf, Interview with Owen, Marbles, Old Bloo, Chains, The Elephant in the Room, Denial, In the Trees, The Yellow Wallpaper and Wilderness. The High School program continues into the afternoon with two filmmaking workshops. Admission is free and open to students only with limited availability. Attendees must pre-register by contacting Steve Moos at steve.moos@thompsonschools.org.

CHILDRENS PROGRAM | FREE – Saturday, September 22, 10:00 a.m.: Animated short films being shown include A Drawing, The Extraordinary Story of Oliver Wyght, Treemaker, Bamboo and Spark.  Following, Kathye Conti of the Creative Spirits Art Studio leads children to create their own story on canvas utilizing expressive painting and collaging. The Summit Foundation, Sea Change LLC, Breckenridge Grand Vacations and Climax Molybdenum Mine make this free program possible.

Passes, tickets, lodging information, and full festival schedule can be found at BreckFilmFest.org.

Breckenridge Film Festival is made possible in large part by The Summit Foundation, Town of Breckenridge, Kaiser Permanente, Colorado Creative Industries, Breckenridge Grand Vacations, Millie’s Kids, Alpine Bank, Welk Resorts, with support from Breckenridge Creative Arts, Main Street Station by Wyndham Vacation Rentals, Ski Country Resorts and Frost Motion Designs, as well as 200+ volunteers and additional supporters from the Breckenridge community. Vail Summit Orthopedics & Neurosurgery is the sponsor of the Riverwalk Center.

Media Contact: Kim Dykstra, PR/Marketing | 970.406.0371 | PR@BreckFilmFest.org