Estes Park Film Festival

Serotonin Rising at the Estes Park Film Festival!

2011-09-12T19:40:00.001-06:00

Serotonin Rising

Friday, September 16, 2011 from 5:00 PM to 6:40 PM (MT)

Serotonin Rising – Based on a true scientific discovery, SEROTONIN RISING combines the heart-warming and inspirational story of two TV reporters who discover the secret to a happy and healthy life through the "Words of Wisdom" from the world's leading scientists, spiritualists and philosophers.

Special Appearances by: DR. JORDAN GRAFMAN, NIH Chief Scientist, DEEPAK CHOPRA, DONOVAN, The DALAI LAMA, SWAMI KRIPANANDA, Dr. LARRY DOSSEY & Dr. TAL BEN-SHAHAR / Directed by Tony Perri / Produced by Darren Foster and Tony Perri / Written by Darren Foster / Director of Photography Tom Parkin / Music by Russell Perri / Kent Curtiss Band / Roxy King / 55 min.

The filmmakers, actors and crew will be in attendance for a Q&A after the film.

BUY TICKETS

Estes Park Film Festival Starts this Friday!

2011-09-12T11:03:00.000-06:00

With a mission to educate, inspire, and advance a greater appreciation of independent film, the 6th Annual Estes Park Film Festival will take place September 16-18, 2011 at the Historic Park Theatre in beautiful Estes Park, Colorado. Set against the backdrop of breathtaking Rocky Mountain National Park, the annual EPFF has been showcasing some of the world's best in cutting edge indie cinema since 2006.

Visit www.estesparkfilmfestival.com to view the schedule and to purchase tickets!

Bugeaters at the Estes Park Film Festival!

2011-09-11T19:37:00.000-06:00

Bugeaters
Saturday, September 17, 2011 from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM (MT)

For over a century, fans of college football have followed the exploits and victories of The University of Nebraska football team, The Cornhuskers. However, the origins of the N.U. football team are a mystery...until now. Using tinted rotoscope animation and also staging historic recreations using actors, this documentary reveals for the first time the untold story of the first decade of Nebraska football, from 1890-1900, when the first N.U. football players were known as 'Bugeaters. Colorado Premiere / Jim Fields / Omaha, NE / 55 min.

BUY TICKETS

Photos of Angie with opening PSA - I Am

2011-09-11T11:02:00.000-06:00

Photos of Angie with opening PSA - I Am
Sunday, September 18, 2011 from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM (MT)

I Am – A PSA about the negative effects of prejudice and discrimination against the GBLTQ community. Amber Lorenz / Estes Park, CO / 5 min.

Photos of Angie – This haunting documentary deals with the brutal killing of Angie Zapata, a transgender teen from Greeley, Colorado who was murdered in July, 2008. Through archive footage, interviews with family, reporters, lawmakers and activists the film interweaves Angie story while revealing what it means to be transgender and how often they are victims of hate crimes. Alan Dominguez / Denver, CO / 55 min.

The family of Angie Zapata will be attendance at the screening.

BUY TICKETS

Opening Night Film - Happy, Happy

2011-09-10T19:35:00.000-06:00

Happy, Happy - Kaja is an optimistic and easygoing housewife—despite her loneliness and the fact that her husband won’t have sex with her. When Elisabeth and Sigve, who seem like the perfect husband and wife, move in next door, Kaja is thrilled by their sophistication. They’re beautiful, they have an adopted black son, and in their spare time, they sing in a choir. An indiscreet moment between Kaja and Sigve ignites a full-on affair, but just as her sexual liberation comes within reach, the inevitable truths and secrets tumble out—perhaps for the best.
Set in the dead of winter in the middle of nowhere, the locale of Happy, Happy is crucial to balancing the film as both sex comedy and drama. Director Anne Sewitsky allows her skilled actors to shine while dark humor, some flat-out hilarity, and tight storytelling drive this delightful look at the malleability and resilience of adult relationships. Norwegian with English subtitles / Winner in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival / 85 min

BUY TICKETS

2011 Closing Night Party, Awards & Film "The River Why"

2011-09-10T10:59:00.000-06:00

2011 Closing Night Party, Awards & Film "The River Why"
Sunday, September 18, 2011 at 7:30 PM (MT)

The River Why – A big hit at film festivals across the country, The River Why is the story of 20 year old Gus Orviston, the Mozart of flyfishing, who leaves his big city home in rebellion from his family to live in a secluded cabin on the banks of a wild river. Instead of finding fishing bliss, his desolation drives him on a reluctant quest for self-discovery. In the process he comes in contact with an assortment of eccentric characters who help him in his journey to adulthood. Most of all, The River Why is a love story. The love of a man for the wilderness, and for a beautiful woman who comes to share it with him. Starring Zach Gilford, Amber Heard, Kathleen Quinlan, Dallas Roberts, William Devane, William Hurt / Produced by Kristi Denton Cohen / Written by Thomas Cohen and John Jay Osborn / Directed by Matthew Leutwyler / 101 min.

BUY TICKETS

Estes Park Film Festival - Sept. 16-18

2011-09-09T19:34:00.000-06:00

Check out our commercial for the 6th Annual Estes Park Film Festival!

Estes Park Film Festival to Honor Actor Barry Corbin with a Lifetime Achievement Award

2011-09-08T10:57:00.002-06:00

Organizers of the Estes Park Film Festival recently announced that actor Barry Corbin will be their featured guest and recipient of their Lifetime Achievement Award at the 6th annual event.

Estes Park, CO, September 08, 2011 --(PR.com)-- Emmy nominated actor Barry Corbin will be presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 6th Annual Estes Park Film Festival on September 17th during a special ceremony in his honor at the Historic Park Theatre. The award ceremony will also include a twenty minute film retrospective of Corbin’s work and a lively question and answer session with the audience.

With more than one hundred film and television credits, Corbin may be best-known for his role as the crusty ex-astronaut Maurice Minnifield on the CBS series Northern Exposure. He is also well remembered as General Beringer in WarGames, John Travolta's uncle in Urban Cowboy, co-starring with Clint Eastwood in Any Which Way You Can, and Roscoe Brown in the acclaimed western Lonesome Dove. Recently, Barry had a memorable role in 2008's Oscar-winning film No Country for Old Men.

In real life Barry is a horseman and a cattleman, and in 2009 he was inducted in the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame. Currently Barry is guest starring in four episodes of the TNT series The Closer.

Tickets to the ceremony are $10 and are available for purchase on the festival’s website or at the Park Theatre Box Office.

For a complete schedule of film screenings, parties and panel discussions visit www.estesparkfilmfestival.com or call 970-231-2580.

2011 Student Filmmaker Showcase

2011-08-25T08:48:00.002-06:00

2011 Student Filmmaker Showcase

Friday, September 16, 2011 from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM

The very popular Student Filmmaker Showcase will take place Fri. Sept. 16th at 2:30 PM. Here's a link to a preview trailer of one of the short films in that block. It's called "The Birds Upstairs" from filmmaker Christopher Jarvis. http://jarvisfilms.com/films/Birds_Upstairs/teaser.html

Short Film Program #2 (Suspense / Thriller / Edgy / Adventure)

2011-08-25T08:45:00.004-06:00

Short Film Program #2 (Suspense / Thriller / Edgy / Adventure)

Saturday, September 17, 2011 from 9:30 PM to 11:30 PM

Frankenstein played first run at the Park Theatre in 1931. Now these very talented filmmakers will have their chance to scare, shock and thrill you!

Visit http://2011shortprogram2.eventbrite.com/ for more info and to purchase tickets!

Program Spotlight - Opening Night Party & Film "Happy, Happy"

2011-08-18T06:00:00.000-06:00

Join us at the Historic Park Theatre as we celebrate the opening of our 6th annual film festival! This is your chance to meet and mingle with the filmmakers, special guests, and other film enthusiasts. You might even bump into the ghost of a legendary silent movie actor! Visit http://2011epffparty.eventbrite.com/ to purchase advance discount tickets to this event!

7:00 – 8:15 PM - A great opportunity to meet and mingle with the filmmakers and special guests! (hors d'oeuvres and drinks will be served)
8:30 PM – Opening Night Film "Happy, Happy"

Happy, Happy - Kaja is an optimistic and easygoing housewife—despite her loneliness and the fact that her husband won’t have sex with her. When Elisabeth and Sigve, who seem like the perfect husband and wife, move in next door, Kaja is thrilled by their sophistication. They’re beautiful, they have an adopted black son, and in their spare time, they sing in a choir. An indiscreet moment between Kaja and Sigve ignites a full-on affair, but just as her sexual liberation comes within reach, the inevitable truths and secrets tumble out—perhaps for the best.
Set in the dead of winter in the middle of nowhere, the locale of Happy, Happy is crucial to balancing the film as both sex comedy and drama. Director Anne Sewitsky allows her skilled actors to shine while dark humor, some flat-out hilarity, and tight storytelling drive this delightful look at the malleability and resilience of adult relationships. Norwegian with English subtitles / Winner in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival / 85 min

Tickets & Passes on Sale for the Estes Park Film Festival

2011-08-16T07:00:00.000-06:00

Visit http://www.estesparkfilmfestival.com/tickets.html to purchase advance tickets and passes to the 6th Annual Estes Park Film Festival (Sept. 16-18).

Estes Park Film Festival Announces Official Selections

2011-08-15T07:00:00.001-06:00

World premieres, a tribute to three time Emmy nominated actor Barry Corbin and a pre-release sneak preview on tap for the sixth annual event.

Estes Park, CO — Showcasing thirty-five of the latest independent films from around the world, the 6th Annual Estes Park Film Festival (www.estesparkfilmfestival.com) will take place September 16-18 at the Historic Park Theatre in beautiful Estes Park, Colorado at the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park. Built in 1913, the Park Theatre is the oldest operating movie theatre west of the Mississippi and is on the national register of historic places. This September filmmakers, festival attendees and industry professionals from around the world will travel to Estes Park to enjoy the diverse selection of independent feature-length films, documentaries and short films. The festival will also honor their featured guest, three time Emmy nominated actor Barry Corbin (Northern Exposure, WarGames, Urban Cowboy), with a lifetime achievement award for his contributions to cinema and television.

Featured at this year’s opening night party is a special pre-release screening of the Sundance Film Festival Award Winner 'Happy, Happy' from Norwegian director Anne Sewitsky. In 'Happy Happy', Kaja is the perfect housewife, but when an attractive family moves in next door she struggles to keep her emotions in check. A new friendship leads to changes Kaja cannot reverse, and as Christmas time approaches it is clear that nothing will be the same again. Other feature-length films include 'Serotonin Rising' from writer Darren Foster and director Tony Perri. Described by the filmmakers as the world’s first truly “Feel Good” movie, 'Serotonin Rising' combines the heart-warming and inspirational story of two TV reporters who discover the secret to a happy and healthy life through the "Words of Wisdom" from the world's leading scientists, spiritualists and philosophers. Closing out the film festival on September 18th is 'The River Why' starring Zach Gilford, Amber Heard, Kathleen Quinlan, Dallas Roberts, William Devane and William Hurt. A big hit at film festivals across the country, 'The River Why' is the story of 20 year old Gus Orviston, the Mozart of fly fishing, who leaves his big city home in rebellion from his family to live in a secluded cabin on the banks of a wild river. 'The River Why' is a love story about the love of a man for the wilderness, and for a beautiful woman who comes to share it with him.

Documentaries in the festival include the Colorado premiere of 'Bugeaters' from filmmaker and past EPFF award winner Jim Fields. Using tinted rotoscope animation and also staging historic recreations using actors, 'Bugeaters' reveals for the first time the untold story of the first decade of Nebraska football, from 1890-1900, when the first N.U. football players were known as 'Bugeaters’. Denver based filmmaker, Alan Dominguez, presents his haunting documentary 'Photos of Angie' about the brutal killing of Angie Zapata, a transgender teen from Greeley, Colorado who was murdered in July, 2008. Other documentaries include 'Bring the Riding to the People' about volunteers coming together to build municipal mountain bike parks in three very different communities, and the Duplass Brother’s (Baghead, Cyrus) musical hero Kevin Gant makes his triumphant return to the music scene in their debut documentary 'Kevin'.

Five diverse and very entertaining programs of short films round out the festival schedule and include the very popular Student Film Program which showcases films from undiscovered student filmmakers representing such schools as New York University, University of Denver, and Lora L. Batchelor Middle School in Bloomington, IN. Other short film programs include the animated comedy 'Gus' from Australian filmmaker Andrew Martin, and the terrifying 'Nobody But Her' about 8-year old Greta and the mystery surrounding her grandmother’s strange death.

Many of the filmmakers will be on hand to introduce their films and will be a part of a filmmaker panel discussion on the creative process of getting their films from script to screen. There will also be plenty of parties where attendees can mingle with the filmmakers and special guests. For a complete schedule of film screenings, parties and panel discussions visit www.estesparkfilmfestival.com or call 970-231-2580. Advance tickets and passes to the festival are available online or at the Park Theatre box office.

EPFF Filmmaker Ethan Knightchilde Featured in Super 8 Today

2011-08-14T11:55:00.009-06:00

Denver filmmaker, Ethan Knightchilde, is featured in this month's edition of Super 8 Today! In the article Ethan talks about his upcoming documentary "Ghosts of the West" - A multi-year effort to document remains of ghost towns has resulted in a beautiful film by E.S. Knightchilde, utilizing Kodak's recently discontinued Plus-X black & white film to create a stunning look through history. A 3 minute preview trailer will screen at the 6th Annual Estes Park Film Festival on Saturday Sept. 17th at 2:15 pm. The completed feature-length documentary will be released in 2012.

You can purchase a copy of Super 8 Today HERE.

Volunteer at the Estes Park Film Festival!

2011-07-11T14:48:00.002-06:00

The 2010 Estes Park Film Festival was a huge success, and we couldn't have done it without our dedicated volunteers. Each year the EPFF relies on the help from dozens of volunteers, in every department. Volunteers are needed before and during the Festival (September 16-18, 2011) for a variety of positions, weekdays and weekends, so you're sure to find a slot that fits your schedule and interests.

Supporting a unique non-profit organization, gaining valuable experience, and meeting others who share an enthusiasm for film is what makes volunteering at the Estes Park Film Festival all worthwhile. Being able to participate in this event has proven to be a prized opportunity year after year.

If you are interested in volunteering visit our Volunteer Page!

2011 Estes Park Film Festival Promo

2011-06-26T12:12:00.000-06:00

When times are tough....
It's good to know you can still escape to the movies.
Discover the power of independent cinema at the 6th Annual Estes Park Film Festival.
September 16th through the 18th at the Historic Park Theatre in beautiful Estes Park, Colorado.
For more info visit http://www.estesparkfilmfestival.com
or call 970-231-2580.

Call For Entries! Late Deadline June 1st

2011-05-27T09:24:00.001-06:00

We are looking for the best feature length films, documentaries, short films, and student films for our 6th annual event. Visit http://www.estesparkfilmfestival.com/callforentries.html to submit your film before it's too late!

Close Call for EPFF Staff Member & Filmmaker Jerimiah Whitlock

2011-05-09T13:56:00.002-06:00

Very happy to hear that EPFF staff member and independent filmmaker Jerimiah Whitlock is okay after surviving this helicopter crash while filming the Buffalo Bill Downhill skateboarding competition on Lookout Mountain in Golden, Colorado yesterday.

Estes Park Film Festival Filmmaker Spotlight - Patrick Rea

2011-04-04T11:19:00.000-06:00

Dave Cosby interviews filmmaker Patrick Rea at the 5th Annual Estes Park Film Festival which took place September 17-19, 2010 at the Historic Park Theatre in Estes Park, CO.

Estes Park Film Festival Filmmaker Spotlight - Catherine Corona

2011-02-21T14:39:00.000-07:00

Dave Cosby interviews filmmaker Catherine Corona at the 5th Annual Estes Park Film Festival which took place September 17-19 at the Historic Park Theatre in Estes Park, CO.
What if all religions were not as different as we are led to believe? What if there really aren't conflicts between the 6 major religions? 'The Great Mystery' a feature documentary 'road trip', explores the essence of Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Tribal Spirituality, Christianity and Buddhism through the eyes of a salty old cowboy, a 5th grader, a Tibetan Monk, one of the first woman Rabbis, an Islamic Scholar, Muslim teens and many others. Catherine Corona / Boulder, CO / World Premiere / 81 min.

2011 Call for Entries Open!

2010-12-13T10:03:00.002-07:00

The 2011 Estes Park Film Festival is open for submissions! The early bird deadline is February 12th. Visit http://estesparkfilm.com/callforentries.html to submit your film.

Pictures from the 2010 EPFF now online!

2010-11-25T08:27:00.002-07:00

Check out pictures from the 2010 Estes Park Film Festival!
Photographs courtesy of Ashley Hanson.

Thank You to our Gold Sponsors!

2010-11-02T15:19:00.004-06:00

Recently we visited all of our Gold Sponsors and presented each of them with a plaque thanking them for supporting the Estes Park Film Festival. As a not-for-profit arts organization, the Estes Park Film Festival relies heavily on the support of our local sponsors. Without their generosity, the Festival wouldn't be able to bring such a high quality of film programming to the Estes Park area year after year. We encourage you to support these sponsors year-round and watch for our sponsors at events, venues, and activities that contribute to the Festival experience.

Chicago Tribune Article on "The Great Mystery"

2010-10-26T08:37:00.001-06:00

Here's a great article from the Chicago Tribune on the 2010 EPFF Best Documentary and Audience Choice Award winner "The Great Mystery".

Click HERE to read the article.

Art LaFleur at the Estes Park Film Festival

2010-09-21T08:57:00.003-06:00

Estes Park Film Festival Breaks Attendance Record For Its 5th Annual Event

2010-09-20T14:59:00.003-06:00

A record number of festival attendees and filmmakers from around the world came out in full force for the 5th Annual Estes Park Film Festival this past weekend. The event concluded on September 19th with Catherine Corona and her film “The Great Mystery” winning both Best Documentary and Audience Choice Award. In the film Corona explores the essence of Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Tribal Spirituality, Christianity and Buddhism through the eyes of a salty old cowboy, a 5th grader, a Tibetan Monk, one of the first woman Rabbis, Muslim teens and many others. Kansas filmmaker, Ty Jones, brought home the Best Feature Award for his psychological thriller “Last Breath”, and “Lychee Thieves” about four Hawaiian locals who clash over an abundant lychee tree won Best Short. The festival also honored actor Art Lafleur (Field of Dreams, The Sandlot, Santa Clause 2 and 3), with a lifetime achievement award for his contributions to cinema and television. At the awards ceremony, LaFleur took part in a lively Q & A with the festival audience where he shared some of his unique experiences working as an actor in Hollywood.

Showcasing 35 independent films from around the world, the 5th Annual Estes Park Film Festival took place September 17-19 at the Historic Park Theatre in downtown Estes Park, Colorado. Built in 1913, the Park Theatre is the oldest operating movie theatre west of the Mississippi and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Founded in 2005, the Estes Park Film Festival is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization whose mission is to educate, inspire, and advance a greater appreciation of independent film and the preservation of historic cinematic landmarks.

2010 Estes Park Film Festival Award Winners

Audience Choice Award
The Great Mystery – Catherine Corona

Best Student Film
Storybook Ending - Chuck Westfield

Best Short Narrative Film
Lychee Thieves – Kathleen Man

Best Short Documentary
In Times of War: Stories of Colorado Veterans - Sandra Gabrych

Best Feature Length Documentary
The Great Mystery – Catherine Corona

Best Feature Length Narrative Film
Last Breath - Ty Jones, Aaron Laue & Mandy Bannon

Boulder Digital Arts Awards
Storybook Ending – Chuck Westfield
Being Followed - Cameron Roubique
Breakaway - Clifton Archuleta

Art LaFleur to be honored tonight at the Closing Night Ceremonies!

2010-09-19T15:44:00.000-06:00

Organizers of the Estes Park Film Festival recently announced that actor Art LaFleur will be the featured guest at the 5th annual event. Considered one of the greatest character actors in Hollywood, Art LaFleur has an extensive body of work in both film and television.

A native of Gary, Indiana, LaFleur may be best-known for his performance as baseball player Babe Ruth in The Sandlot. LaFleur also appeared as baseball player, Chick Gandil, in Field of Dreams, as the White House's security chief in First Kid, and as "McNulty" in both Trancers (1985) and Trancers II (1991). He also had a memorable role in The Santa Clause 2 in 2002, and The Santa Clause 3 in 2006 as the tooth fairy. Other film roles include Air America, Maverick and Beethoven’s 4th. He has also had many guest-starring roles on television shows, including Northern Exposure, Home Improvement, Angel, JAG, Cold Case and House M.D.

“We are thrilled and honored to have Art LaFleur join us for the festival this year,” co-director Sean Doherty said. “Art has had an amazing career spanning over 30 years as one of the hardest working actors in Hollywood.”

The 5th Annual Estes Park Film Festival will take place September 17-19 at the Historic Park Theatre in downtown Estes Park, Colorado. This year’s line-up of films, which will be released on August 25, will include over 30 independent films from around the world. Art LaFleur will be presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award as part of the festival’s closing night ceremonies on September 19 at the Historic Park Theatre. The award ceremony will also include a film retrospective of LaFleur’s work and a lively question and answer session with the audience. Tickets for the closing night party and awards ceremony are $30 and can be purchased online at www.estesparkfilm.com or at the Park Theatre box office.

Closing Night Party, Awards Ceremony & Tribute Tonight!

2010-09-19T08:00:00.000-06:00

7:00 – 8:00 PM - One last chance to mingle and party with the filmmakers and special guests! (hors d'oeuvres and drinks will be served)

8:00 PM - Awards Ceremony for filmmakers (Estes Park's version of the Oscars. Not to be missed!)

8:45 PM - Lifetime Achievement Award to actor Art LaFleur including a film retrospective of his career and a lively Q & A afterwards.

Tickets are $30 - Don't miss this amazing event!

Check out Saturday's Line-up of Films!

2010-09-18T08:00:00.000-06:00

12:30 PM – Filmmaker Q&A (Free Event)Join us at the Park Theatre for this free event that will give festival attendees a chance to meet the creative geniuses behind some of the films we are presenting at the festival.

2:30 PM Short Film Program #1 (Narrative Fiction / Inspirational / Documentary) BUY TICKETS

4:45 PM - The Great Mystery (Feature Length Documentary) - 81 min. BUY TICKETS.

7:00 PM - earthwork (Feature Presentation) – 93 min.
with opening short film Walk In The Clouds - 11 min BUY TICKETS

9:00 PM – Last Breath (Feature Presentation) – 93 min. BUY TICKETS

The Estes Park Film Festival Starts Today!

2010-09-17T06:00:00.000-06:00

Films start at 2:30 pm!

Opening Night Party & Film "Barry Munday" at 7:00 pm.

Visit www.estesparkfilm.com for tickets and schedule.

Sony To Showcase Its Latest Digital Projection System at the 5th Annual Estes Park Film Festival

2010-09-16T20:54:00.004-06:00

The Estes Park Film Festival recently announced that Sony will showcase its latest Digital Projection technology at the festival. All of this year's films will be projected digitally in high definition on the Sony VPL-FH300L digital projector.

"With the help of Sony and Nick Molle Productions this year we will be able to deliver the ultimate digital cinema experience to our audience! It's the perfect blend of old and new to have cutting edge digital technology in such a beautiful historic cinematic landmark."

Showcasing 35 of the latest independent films from around the world, the 5th annual Estes Park Film Festival will take place Sept. 17 to 19 at the Historic Park Theatre in beautiful Estes Park. Built in 1913, the Park Theatre is the oldest operating movie theatre west of the Mississippi and is on the national register of historic places.

Estes Park Film Festival Starts Friday at 2:30 pm!

2010-09-16T15:46:00.001-06:00

www.EstesParkFilm.com

Estes Park Film Festival Preview - F. Word Pizza

2010-09-16T12:32:00.000-06:00

F. Word Pizza - TRAILER from Max Mentzer on Vimeo.

F. Word Pizza – Greg, a young man who has never had an opinion of his own before, asks his conspiracy theorist ex-brother-in-law to come teach him how. Max Mentzer / Alabama / 7 min.

See this film on Sunday Sept. 19th at 1:30 pm! - BUY TICKETS

Film festival returns for fifth year Actor Art LeFleur is the featured guest

2010-09-16T11:22:00.001-06:00

Showcasing 35 of the latest independent films from around the world, the 5th annual Estes Park Film Festival will take place Sept. 17 to 19 at the Historic Park Theatre in beautiful Estes Park. Built in 1913, the Park Theatre is the oldest operating movie theatre west of the Mississippi and is on the national register of historic places. This September filmmakers, festival attendees and industry professionals from around the world will travel to Estes Park to enjoy the diverse selection of independent feature-length films, documentaries and short films. The festival will also honor their featured guest, actor Art LaFleur (Field of Dreams, The Sandlot, Santa Clause 2 and 3), with a lifetime achievement award for his contributions to cinema and television.

Featured at this year`s opening night party is a special pre-release screening of the critically acclaimed comedy "Barry Munday" starring Patrick Wilson and Judy Greer. Filled with an ensemble of unusual characters including Cybill Shepherd and Chloe Sevigny, "Barry Munday" is the surprisingly heart-warming tale of a guy who finds it took losing his manhood to be a better man. Other feature-length films include "Earthwork" , based on the true story of a Kansas crop-artist (played by John Hawkes of ABC`s "Lost" ) who risked it all to create a multi-acre piece of art in New York. "Earthwork" is directed by Chris Ordal and has already won several film festival awards across the country. The Colorado premiere of "Last Breath" might just be one of the most original films in this year`s line-up with its creative blending of horror, drama and romance. The film, directed by Kansas native Ty Jones, tells the story of a husband and wife who find themselves imprisoned by a sadistic killer -- forced to make choices that will ultimately determine their family`s survival or demis

More on the Estes Park Trail Gazette Website.

Student Filmmaker Showcase - Fri. Sept 17 at 2:30 pm

2010-09-16T08:00:00.000-06:00

2:30 PM – Student Filmmaker Showcase BUY TICKETS

Join us as we bring festival attendees, industry professionals, and film students together for a chance to enjoy some of the newest student films from across the country!

Motion Picture: A Technical and Creative Innovation – 13 min.
Breakaway – 6 min.
Breaking News: The End of Civility – 8 min.
A Complex Villainelle – 8 min.
Storybook Ending – 8 min.
Patient – 15 min.
Dreamscapes – 12 min.
The Absence – 6 min.
Total 76 min

Filmmakers will be in attendance to participate in a Q & A after the films are shown.

Estes Park Film Festival Preview - Afghan

2010-09-15T11:00:00.001-06:00

Afghan –An afternoon surprise forces two friends to turn hate crime lemons into hilarious lemonade. Pardis Parker / Stillwater, NS Canada / 12 min.

See this film on Sunday Sept. 19 at 1:30 pm! - BUY TICKETS

Ghosts of the West Rag - Fri. Sept. 17 at 7:00 pm

2010-09-15T09:00:00.000-06:00

Ghosts of the West Rag (Special Sneak Preview of a soon to be released documentary from Ethan Knightchilde) – Part armchair tour and part paean, the multi-year, multi-state production 'Ghosts of the West Rag' journeys through the ghost towns and mining camps of the American West. Ethan Knightchilde / Denver, CO / 4 min.

www.EstesParkFilm.com

Estes Park Film Festival Preview - Siren

2010-09-15T08:32:00.000-06:00

Siren – A story about a young Hungarian boy and his fatal acquaintance with a Russian soldier during the 1956 Revolution in Budapest, which leads to an unusual trip down memory lane. Andras Novak / Budapest, Hungary / 11 min.

Screening on Sunday 9/19 at 3:15 PM - BUY TICKETS

Estes Park Film Festival Preview - Lost or Found

2010-09-14T20:37:00.000-06:00

Lost or Found – Hanna lost her memory. In an attempt to find her identity she steals suitcases from other women and takes over their personalities. When she finds a gun in a suitcase, she decides to rob a shop. During the robbery she meets Pablo and Luca, two other outcasts that try to give her a new identity. Iliana Estañol / Zurich, Switzerland / 22 min.

Screening on Sunday 9/19 at 3:15 pm - BUY TICKETS

Estes Park Film Festival Preview - In Times of War: Stories of Colorado Veterans

2010-09-14T20:04:00.000-06:00

In Times of War: Stories of Colorado Veterans – This moving and inspirational documentary highlights the stories of five veterans who fought during World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. Sandra Gabrych / Colorado / 28 min.

Screening on Saturday 9/18 at 2:30 PM - BUY TICKETS

Estes Park Film Festival Preview - When He Left

2010-09-14T20:02:00.000-06:00

When He Left – “When he left' is the story of two soldiers from a small Texas town. Danny and Eric are veterans of multiple Middle East deployments. They return home to their families as many military men and women do -- with undiagnosed Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and untreated depression. For some soldiers, the deepest wounds are not those inflicted on the battlefield. The wars do not end when they come home. A soldier's greatest fight is often within himself. Jeremy Decker / Austin, TX / 11 min.

Screening on Saturday 9/18 at 2:30 PM - BUY TICKETS

The Great Mystery World Premiere!

2010-09-14T15:55:00.001-06:00

From Filmmaker Catherine Corona's Blog

World Premier Night!
September 14, 2010
I was just up at The Park Theater today and it is a great Theater. Built in the 20′s, it feels like the grand movie houses of old. What a wonderful place for a film festival. I was up in the projection room and stood between the 35mm projector built in 1954 and the new state of the art, space ship looking Sony digital projector, old and new together but all for movies from generation to generation! ~Catherine

Estes Park Film Festival Preview - Clemency

2010-09-13T20:35:00.002-06:00

Clemency – A sadistic killer takes a reporter on an emotional thrill ride she will never forget. Joseph Albanese / Doug Thagard / Charlie Frazier / Los Angeles, CA / 18 min.

Screening on Sunday 9/19 at 3:15 PM - BUY TICKETS

Estes Park Film Festival to Honor Actor Art LaFleur With a Lifetime Achievement Award

2010-09-13T20:29:00.000-06:00

Organizers of the Estes Park Film Festival recently announced that actor Art LaFleur will be the featured guest at the 5th annual event. Considered one of the greatest character actors in Hollywood, Art LaFleur has an extensive body of work in both film and television.

A native of Gary, Indiana, LaFleur may be best-known for his performance as baseball player Babe Ruth in The Sandlot. LaFleur also appeared as baseball player, Chick Gandil, in Field of Dreams, as the White House's security chief in First Kid, and as "McNulty" in both Trancers (1985) and Trancers II (1991). He also had a memorable role in The Santa Clause 2 in 2002, and The Santa Clause 3 in 2006 as the tooth fairy. Other film roles include Air America, Maverick and Beethoven’s 4th. He has also had many guest-starring roles on television shows, including Northern Exposure, Home Improvement, Angel, JAG, Cold Case and House M.D.

“We are thrilled and honored to have Art LaFleur join us for the festival this year,” co-director Sean Doherty said. “Art has had an amazing career spanning over 30 years as one of the hardest working actors in Hollywood.”

The 5th Annual Estes Park Film Festival will take place September 17-19 at the Historic Park Theatre in downtown Estes Park, Colorado. This year’s line-up of films, which will be released on August 25, will include over 30 independent films from around the world. Art LaFleur will be presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award as part of the festival’s closing night ceremonies on September 19 at the Historic Park Theatre. The award ceremony will also include a film retrospective of LaFleur’s work and a lively question and answer session with the audience. Tickets for the closing night party and awards ceremony are $25 and can be purchased online at www.estesparkfilm.com or at the Park Theatre box office after August 25.

Estes Park Film Festival Preview - Dreamscapes

2010-09-12T20:00:00.002-06:00

Dreamscapes – Dreamscapes, a Sci-Fi short is set in the future, where dreams are built and designed, one programmer becomes a fugitive after his latest creation kills the one he loves. Brandon Fryman / University of Colorado Denver / Aurora, CO / 12 min.

Screening Friday 9/17 at 2:30 PM - BUY TICKETS

Estes Park Film Festival Preview - Motion Picture: A Technical and Creative Innovation

2010-09-12T19:58:00.001-06:00

Motion Picture: A Technical and Creative Innovation – Learn the history of motion pictures in this well researched and very entertaining short documentary. Dylan Goerner / Denver, CO / 13 min.

Screening on Friday 9/17 at 2:30 PM - BUY TICKETS

Estes Park Film Festival Preview - Nico's Challenge

2010-09-12T14:57:00.000-06:00

Nico’s Challenge - Playing at the Estes Park Film Festival on Saturday 9/18 at 2:30 pm. This is a great short documentary about a 13 year-old boy who faces special challenges as he climbs mount Kilimanjaro, the worlds highest freestanding mountain. His goal, to raise money and deliver free wheelchairs to the people o...f Tanzania. This coming of age adventure has some unexpected twists that push this child to his limits just before reaching the summit at nineteen thousand feet above sea level. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1517767/

Estes Park Film Festival - Programs Ready!

2010-09-10T11:42:00.000-06:00

Hey everyone! We're looking for volunteers in the Estes Park area that can help us distribute film festival programs around town to all the businesses and hotels. Contact us by email info@estesparkfilm.com or call us at 970-231-2580.

Estes Park Film Festival - Tickets and Passes on Sale!

2010-09-03T08:03:00.001-06:00

Visit our Online Festival Box Office to purchase tickets and passes!

Individual film program tickets are $7.00 for Adults and $6.00 for students plus a service fee from Eventbrite. Visit our Festival Schedule Page to read the synopsis' for each film. Purchasing tickets on-line guarantees a seat in the theater, but not the location of the seat.

You can also purchase tickets & passes at the Park Theatre Box Office during the festival. If you have any questions, please e-mail us at info@estesparkfilm.com or call 970-231-2580

Sneak Preview of "Barry Munday" at the Estes Park Film Festival

2010-09-02T15:43:00.001-06:00

"Barry Munday" is our special pre-release sneak preview that plays after our opening night party on Friday Sept. 17th at 7:00 PM. It won't be released nationally in theaters until Oct. 1st. So this is a great chance to see it first! It stars Patrick Wilson, Judy Greer, Chloë Sevigny, Cybill Shepherd, Jean Smart, Malcolm McDowell, Mae Whitman, Colin Hanks & Billy Dee Williams. Hope to you see everyone there! This is one of our funniest films yet!

You can buy tickets to this film HERE.

Patrick Rea's Latest Short Film "Get Off My Porch" set to screen at the Estes Park Film Festival

2010-08-29T18:46:00.004-06:00

Get Off My Porch – Two girl scouts force a neighborhood man to purchase cookies. Patrick Rea / Lawrence, KS / 13 min. SCreening as part of the Short Film Program #2 Sunday, September 19, 2010 at 1:30 PM. Tickets can be purchased HERE.

Dread Central recently wrote an article about Patrick.
Check it out here!

Estes Park Film Festival Preview - The Great Mystery

2010-08-28T17:59:00.000-06:00

Estes Park Film Festival Preview of the World Premiere Documentary "The Great Mystery" playing Saturday Sept. 18th at 4:45 PM. http://thegreatmystery.eventbrite.com/

Estes Park Film Festival - Volunteer Meeting on Saturday Aug. 28th

2010-08-27T08:12:00.001-06:00

Those interested in volunteering at this year's Estes Park Film Festival should attend our volunteer orientation meeting on Saturday, August 28th at 3 PM at the Estes Park Library Hondius Room. Volunteers are needed before and during the Festival (September 17-19) for a variety of positions, weekdays and weekends, so you're sure to find a slot that fits your schedule and interests.

More info about volunteer opportunities can be found here - http://estesparkfilm.com/volunteer.html

Estes Park Film Festival Preview - Last Breath

2010-08-25T14:49:00.001-06:00

Preview of the Feature-Length Film "Last Breath" playing Saturday Sept. 18th at 9:00 PM.

Estes Park Film Festival Announces Official Selections

2010-08-22T08:15:00.000-06:00

World premieres, special guests and a pre-release sneak preview on tap for the fifth annual event.

Estes Park, CO August 24, 2010 -- Showcasing 35 of the latest independent films from around the world, the 5th Annual Estes Park Film Festival will take place September 17-19 at the Historic Park Theatre in beautiful Estes Park, Colorado at the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park. Built in 1913, the Park Theatre is the oldest operating movie theatre west of the Mississippi and is on the national register of historic places. This September filmmakers, festival attendees and industry professionals from around the world will travel to Estes Park to enjoy the diverse selection of independent feature-length films, documentaries and short films. The festival will also honor their featured guest, actor Art LaFleur (Field of Dreams, The Sandlot, Santa Clause 2 and 3), with a lifetime achievement award for his contributions to cinema and television.

Featured at this year’s opening night party is a special pre-release screening of the critically acclaimed comedy “Barry Munday” starring Patrick Wilson and Judy Greer. Filled with an ensemble of unusual characters including Cybill Shepherd and Chloe Sevigny, “Barry Munday” is the surprisingly heart-warming tale of a guy who finds it took losing his manhood to be a better man. Other feature-length films include “Earthwork”, based on the true story of a Kansas crop-artist (played by John Hawkes of ABC’s “Lost”) who risked it all to create a multi-acre piece of art in New York. “Earthwork” is directed by Chris Ordal and has already won several film festival awards across the country. The Colorado premiere of “Last Breath” might just be one of the most original films in this year’s line-up with its creative blending of horror, drama and romance. The film, directed by Kansas native Ty Jones, tells the story of a husband and wife who find themselves imprisoned by a sadistic killer - forced to make choices that will ultimately determine their family's survival or demise.

Documentaries in the festival include the world premiere of “The Great Mystery” from Boulder filmmaker Catherine Corona. In the film Corona explores the essence of Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Tribal Spirituality, Christianity and Buddhism through the eyes of a salty old cowboy, a 5th grader, a Tibetan Monk, one of the first woman Rabbis, Muslim teens and many others. 2007 EPFF best documentary winner, Chris Metzler, premieres his latest documentary “Everyday Sunshine: The Story of Fishbone” about one of the most dynamic and shamefully over looked bands in rock music. The iconic Laurence Fishburne narrates “Everyday Sunshine”, which feature interviews with Gwen Stefani, Perry Farrell, Branford Marsalis, George Clinton and Tim Robbins. The most elaborate and scenic documentary ever produced about Rocky Mountain National Park will also make its world premiere at the festival. “Rivers of the Rockies” is about the watershed of Rocky Mountain National Park and the wildlife it supports. The film is written and produced by award winning Estes Park filmmaker, Nick Molle.

Four diverse and very entertaining programs of short films round out the festival schedule and include the student film “Breakaway” from up and coming Colorado filmmaker Clifton Archuleta, and the hilarious short comedy “The Armageddon Kitty” making its world premiere in Estes Park. Other short films include the international drama “Siren” from Hungarian filmmaker Andras Novak and “In Times of War: Stories of Colorado Veterans” - a moving and inspirational documentary highlighting the stories of five veterans who fought during World War II, Korea and Vietnam.

Many of the filmmakers will be on hand to introduce their films and will be a part of a filmmaker panel discussion on the creative process of getting their films from script to screen. There will also be plenty of parties where attendees can mingle with the filmmakers and special guests including actor Art LaFleur, and industry representatives from Universal Pictures and Fox Searchlight Pictures. For a complete schedule of film screenings, parties and panel discussions visit www.estesparkfilm.com or call 970-231-2580. Advance tickets and passes to the festival are available online or at the Park Theatre box office. Those interested in volunteering at the festival can also attend a Volunteer Orientation Meeting at the Estes Park Library on August 28th at 3:00 PM.

Estes Park Film Festival - VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

2010-08-20T08:30:00.000-06:00

Those interested in volunteering at this year's Estes Park Film Festival should attend our volunteer orientation meeting on August 28th at 3 PM at the Estes Park Library Hondius Room. Volunteers are needed before and during the Festival (September 17-19) for a variety of positions, weekdays and weekends, so you're sure to find a slot that fits your schedule and interests.

More info about volunteer opportunities can be found here - http://estesparkfilm.com/volunteer.html

Estes Park Film Festival Filmmaker Spotlight - Cameron Roubique

2010-08-19T13:29:00.002-06:00

Cameron Roubique, winner of the 2009 EPFF Student Film Award, is back this year with Episode 2 of his short film horror series. This one is called "Being Followed" and is screening as part of the Short Film Program #3 on Sunday Sept. 19th at 3:15 PM. Cameron is definitely a filmmaker that you'll be hearing a lot more of in the near future! http://www.childhoodfears13.com/about.asp

Estes Park Film Festival - Posters!

2010-08-18T14:12:00.003-06:00

Check out these posters from the last four Estes Park Film Festivals. The 5th Annual Estes Park Film Festival will soon be added to that photo!

www.estesparkfilm.com

Estes Park Film Festival Student Film Preview - Breakaway

2010-08-18T13:48:00.002-06:00

Screening at the Student Filmmaker Showcase - Friday Sept. 17th at 2:30 PM

Breakaway – A coming of age story about an imaginative boy who struggles to build up enough courage to break free from his childhood friend in order to join a group of boys in a pick-up game of soccer across the street. Clifton Archuleta / Community College of Aurora / Denver, CO / 6 min.

www.estesparkfilm.com

Estes Park Film Festival Preview - Lychee Thieves

2010-08-18T09:34:00.003-06:00

Screening at the Short Film Program #1 - September 18, 2010 at 2:30 PM

Lychee Thieves – Pomaika'i Brown (50 First Dates) gives a moving performance as Keoki in this serious yet funny tale about four Hawaiian locals who clash over an abundant lychee tree. When Keoki offers to pick Arnie and Ethel's tree, Arnie refuses, but suspects that Keoki will return and steal his lychee - probably with the help of the Chinese widow next door who has been eyeing the branches hanging into her yard. Paranoid, Arnie attempts to thwart their plans, no matter what the consequences. It is up to Keoki to break a longstanding cyle of fear and save the 'mana' (spiritual power) of the tree. Kathleen Kwai Ching Man / Los Angeles, CA / 29 min.

Estes Park Film Festival Preview - earthwork

2010-08-17T20:01:00.001-06:00

Preview of one of the films that will be screening at the 2010 Estes Park Film Festival (Sept. 17-19). The press release announcing the full line-up of films and events will be sent out soon! -

Earthwork – earthwork is the story of real-life crop artist Stan Herd. In 1994, Stan traveled from Kansas to New York City to create a massive environmental artwork on land owned by Donald Trump. The multi-acre piece was made from soil, rock, plants and vegetation near an underground railway tunnel. Stan recruited a number of homeless individuals living in the tunnel as his crew. Over the months it took to complete the earthwork, Stan dealt with the difficulties of bringing his unique, rural art form to an urban canvas and the many costs exacted upon his life. In an effort to show his unique perspective to a larger audience, Stan unexpectedly encountered the true meaning of his art and its ultimate, lasting rewards. Written, Produced & Directed by Chris Ordal / Starring John Hawkes, James McDaniel, Zach Grenier & Laura Kirk / Los Angeles, CA / Colorado Premiere / 93 min

Estes Park Film Festival Feature Guest Art LaFleur

2010-08-17T09:04:00.003-06:00

Here's a great bio on our featured guest and recipient of this year's Lifetime Achivement Award at the 5th Annual Estes Park Film Festival - Sept. 17-19 at the Historic Park Theatre. www.estesparkfilm.com

Art LaFleur began his acting career in 1978, and in a profession known for it’s unforgiving nature, he has since been fortunate enough to call himself a working actor. Born to a steel mill worker in Gary, Indiana, Art learned one of the most important traits that would assist him in his acting career – a persistent and dedicated work ethic necessary for the profession. As one of four children and the middle of three brothers, Art developed an early passion for competition in sports, particularly football, which he excelled at, earning him All American honors in high school and a scholarship to the University of Kentucky. After leaving Kentucky, Art joined the Army Reserves as a parachute rigger and jumped out of perfectly good airplanes. He then began trying out different careers, first in Gary, then Chicago, in sales, bar and restaurant ownership and management. While managing a bar/restaurant, Art formed a friendship with one of his bartenders who convinced him to collaborate on a comedy script. Upon finishing their first draft Art decided to move to Los Angeles, from Chicago, to become a writer and began to study acting at the urging of a friend to improve his writing skills. After a short time, acting became his focus. He started his professional career, at age 34, in an equity play, at the Mark Taper Forum in L.A. and his first love of stage has never diminished. He has continued to work on stage throughout his career most recently starring in the long running, West Coast production of “Bill W. and Dr. Bob” to outstanding reviews.

With an extensive history of working in film, television and stage (over 140 film and television credits), Art has a face that you’ve seen a hundred times. Some of his most memorable feature highlights have been: “Santa Clause 2 and 3,” “The Replacements,” “Air America,” “Field of Dreams,” “The Sandlot,” “Man of the House,” and the comical and nostalgic “Zone Troopers”. Art’s television appearances include: “Cold Case,” “House,” “Malcolm In The Middle,” “Still Standing,” “ER,” “The Practice,” “Tales From the Crypt,” and “JAG,” and most recently, “The Mentalist”.

Estes Park Film Festival To Honor Actor Art LaFleur With A Lifetime Achievement Award

2010-08-10T21:11:00.001-06:00

Organizers of the Estes Park Film Festival recently announced that actor Art LaFleur will be the featured guest at the 5th annual event. Considered one of the greatest character actors in Hollywood, Art LaFleur has an extensive body of work in both film and television.

A native of Gary, Indiana, LaFleur may be best-known for his performance as baseball player Babe Ruth in The Sandlot. LaFleur also appeared as baseball player, Chick Gandil, in Field of Dreams, as the White House's security chief in First Kid, and as "McNulty" in both Trancers (1985) and Trancers II (1991). He also had a memorable role in The Santa Clause 2 in 2002, and The Santa Clause 3 in 2006 as the tooth fairy. Other film roles include Air America, Maverick and Beethoven’s 4th. He has also had many guest-starring roles on television shows, including Northern Exposure, Home Improvement, Angel, JAG, Cold Case and House M.D.

“We are thrilled and honored to have Art LaFleur join us for the festival this year,” co-director Sean Doherty said. “Art has had an amazing career spanning over 30 years as one of the hardest working actors in Hollywood.”

The 5th Annual Estes Park Film Festival will take place September 17-19 at the Historic Park Theatre in downtown Estes Park, Colorado. This year’s line-up of films, which will be released on August 25, will include over 30 independent films from around the world. Art LaFleur will be presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award as part of the festival’s closing night ceremonies on September 19 at the Historic Park Theatre. The award ceremony will also include a film retrospective of LaFleur’s work and a lively question and answer session with the audience. Tickets for the closing night party and awards ceremony are $25 and can be purchased online at www.estesparkfilm.com or at the Park Theatre box office after August 25.

2010 Estes Park Film Festival - Promo #4

2010-08-07T19:29:00.000-06:00

Showcasing 34 of the best independent films from around the world, the 5th Annual Estes Park Film Festival will take place September 17th to the 19th at the Historic Park Theatre in beautiful Estes Park, Colorado at the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park. Built in 1913, the Park Theatre is the oldest operating movie theatre west of the Mississippi and is on the national register of historic places. This September filmmakers, festival attendees, and industry professionals from around the world will travel to Estes Park to enjoy the diverse selection of independent feature length films, documentaries, and short films. The festival will also honor their featured guest -legendary actor Art LaFleur with a lifetime achievement award for his contributions to cinema and television.

For a complete schedule of film screenings, parties, and filmmaker panels visit estesparkfilm.com or call 970-231-2580. Advance discount tickets and passes to the festival are available online or at the Park Theatre box office.

A movie theatre survives, and Main Street thrives

2010-07-21T08:32:00.000-06:00

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Making a Difference: In many small North Dakota communities, volunteers have rallied around their local movie theaters to keep them open. NBC's Kevin Tibbles reports.

The Estes Park Film Festival seeks your support

2010-07-13T12:11:00.002-06:00

This year the Estes Park Film Festival (non-profit 501c3) is celebrating its 5th Anniversary! This could not have been possible without the support of our local sponsors & private donors. This year our goal is to put on the best film festival yet; complete with a special celebrity guest, more world premiere films and lots of opportunities to meet and party with the visiting filmmakers. However, in order to accomplish this goal we need to raise an additional $3,800 to cover our remaining operating costs. This is where you come in. Join us today as a private donor or sponsoring organization. Your support can help provide for the continuation and growth of this special cultural resource in Estes Park, Colorado. All donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

With a mission to educate, inspire, and advance a greater appreciation of independent cinema, the 5th Annual Estes Park Film Festival will take place September 17-19, 2010 at the Historic Park Theatre in beautiful Estes Park, Colorado - Gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park. Built in 1913, the Park Theatre is the oldest continually operating movie theatre west of the Mississippi and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

This September filmmakers, festival attendees, and industry professionals from around the world will travel to Estes Park to enjoy the diverse selection of independent films, filmmaker panels, and numerous festival parties.

For more info about the festival and to make a secure tax deductible donation online visit: www.estesparkfilm.com or call us at (970) 231-2580. Donations made by check can also be made out and mailed to:

Estes Park Film Festival, Inc.
453 East Wonderview Ave. PMB 227
Estes Park, CO 80517

Historic Park Theatre - Opening Day for “Despicable Me” Minion Party.

2010-07-06T17:02:00.000-06:00

The oldest movie theatre west of the Mississippi River, - Opening Day for “Despicable Me” Minion Party.

Fun Friday Movie Opening Day Debut of Despicable Me at the Historic Park Theatre.

Come to the Historic Park Theatre in Downtown Estes Park for an old fashioned movie going experience and enjoy our Minion Party for Despicable Me. Despicable me is a movie for all ages, young and old alike there is a lesson for everyone. We will have door prizes, balloons, free kid snack packs, and much more. Join us Friday July 9th, 2010 at the Historic Park Theatre show times are 2:15, 4:30, 6:45 and 9pm. Friday, Saturday and Sunday July 9-11th. Call the theatre at 970-586-8904 or check the website at www.historicparktheatre.com for more information and for future show times.

The Historic Park Theatre is the oldest operating theatre West of the Mississippi River that was originally built as a movie theatre from 1913. The theatre is located at 130 Moraine Ave, in Downtown Estes Park, CO. Do not let our age fool you were are a beautiful cinema with 224 seats, Dolby digital sound with the old fashioned cinema experience you are looking for. Look for the high white tower and join us for “Despicable Me” and the Minion party on Friday July 9, 2010. Ticket prices are $7.00 for adults, $6.00 for seniors and $5.00 for Children under 12. We do not accept credit or debit as our theatre is only open 4 months a year but cash, traveler checks and Colorado Checks are all accepted. See you at the movies with the film of the Summer- “Despicable Me” and minion party of the year on Friday 7/9/10- only at the Historic Park Theatre!

2010 Estes Park Film Festival - Promo 3

2010-07-03T18:47:00.000-06:00

Estes Park Film Festival - Promo #2

2010-06-07T14:43:00.000-06:00

Estes Park Film Festival Promo Spot

2010-06-07T07:53:00.000-06:00

With a $40 Darth Vader costume and some free time on our hands we decided to make this commerical for the 5th Annual Estes Park Film Festival. We hope you enjoy! With a mission to educate, inspire, and advance a greater appreciation of independent cinema, the 5th Annual Estes Park Film Festival will take place September 17-19, 2010 at the Historic Park Theatre in beautiful Estes Park, Colorado - Gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park. Built in 1913, the Park Theatre is the oldest continually operating movie theatre west of the Mississippi and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

For more info about the festival, visit http://www.estesparkfilm.com

Estes Park Film Festival - Patrick Rea

2010-05-20T16:01:00.001-06:00

Great article on Kansas filmmaker and Estes Park Film Festival alum Patrick Rea!

Lately I’ve been thinking about THE TWILIGHT ZONE and short films, and how truly alike they can be. Coincidentally, a very interesting book on TWILIGHT ZONE found its way to my desk just last week. It was then that one specific filmmaker came to mind: Patrick Rea of Lawrence, Kansas.

CONTINUE READING

Programmer Profile: Sean Doherty, Estes Park Film Festival

2010-05-12T11:26:00.003-06:00

Film Festival expert and author of the book "Film Festival Secrets" Chris Holland recently did a profile on our Co-director Sean Doherty. Check it out HERE!

Estes Park Film Festival Receives a 2009 Constant Contact All-Star Award

2010-04-29T13:11:00.002-06:00

Constant Contact recognizes the Estes Park Film Festival for commitment to best practices in email marketing

The Estes Park Film Festival today announced that it has received a 2009 All-Star Award from Constant Contact, Inc., a leading provider of email marketing, event marketing, and online survey tools for small organizations. The Estes Park Film Festival was selected for meeting Constant Contact’s best-practice standards for the use of Email Marketing throughout 2009.

The Estes Park Film Festival received a 2009 Constant Contact All-Star Award for demonstrating best practices in the effective use of Constant Contact Email Marketing in the following areas:

- Frequency of campaigns
- Open rates
- Bounce rates
- Click through rates

Our customers work hard to build strong relationships with their customers through email marketing and some, such as the Estes Park Film Festival, truly excel in this effort,” said Gail Goodman, CEO, Constant Contact. “We created our All-Star Awards to highlight those customers who are passionately committed to following our best practices as they work to improve their customer communications. We’re proud of the role we play in helping the EPFF be successful and we look forward to continuing to assist the company with its marketing efforts.

About Constant Contact, Inc.
With more than 350,000 customers, Constant Contact, Inc. is a leading provider of email marketing, event marketing, and online surveys for small businesses, nonprofits, and member associations. Founded in 1995, Constant Contact helps small organizations grow stronger customer relationships by delivering professional, low cost, easy-to-use online tools backed with award-winning support, education and personal coaching. Constant Contact is a publicly traded company (Nasdaq: CTCT) with offices located in Waltham, Mass.; Loveland, Colo.; and Delray, Fla. To learn more, please visit www.ConstantContact.com or call 781-472-8100.

Call for Entries! Regular Deadline May 1st

2010-04-26T09:58:00.001-06:00

We are looking for the best independent Feature Films, Documentaries, and Short Films for our fifth annual event in beautiful Estes Park, Colorado. Submit early May 1st and save!

MISSION & OBJECTIVE
The Estes Park Film Festival is dedicated to providing a platform for filmmakers from around the world to screen their newest productions in the relaxing and creative atmosphere of Estes Park, Colorado. Our goal is to educate, inspire, and advance a greater appreciation of independent cinema. We also support the preservation of historic cinematic landmarks.

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
Founded in 2005, the annual Estes Park Film Festival takes place each September in beautiful Estes Park, Colorado, home of Rocky Mountain National Park! Each year filmmakers from around the world travel to Estes Park to showcase their newest films at the beautiful Historic Park Theatre. Built in 1913, the Historic Park Theatre is one of the oldest movie theatres still operating in America, and in 1984 was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Visit www.estesparkfilm.com for more info!

Estes Park Film Festival
September 17-19, 2010

2007 Estes Park Film Festival Interviews

2010-03-31T20:46:00.002-06:00

Here's a blast from the past! These are filmmaker interviews from the 2007 Estes Park Film Festival. Check out some of the great comments!

So Many Films To Choose From!

2010-03-28T14:39:00.005-06:00

Here's a still of Festival Co-Director Sean Doherty surrounded by a pile of films. Hundreds of films are submitted each year to the Estes Park Film Festival with about 35 making the cut. Will your film be one of them? Be a part of the Estes Park Film Festival at the Historic Park Theatre - September 17-19, 2010. Visit www.estesparkfilm.com to submit your film today!

Donate to the Estes Park Film Festival!

2010-03-14T11:08:00.001-06:00

The Estes Park Film Festival is on a mission to bring entertaining & diverse independent cinema to Estes Park and to promote the preservation of Historic Cinematic Landmarks, but we can't do it without the support of our Private Donors. Your support can help provide for the continuation and growth of this special cultural resource in Estes Park, Colorado. Join us today as a Private Donor, and be a part of the EPFF's mission to ensure the vitality of independent film and to preserve America's Historic Movie Theatres!

Sponsorship Opportunities for the EPFF!

2010-03-14T11:06:00.001-06:00

As a not-for-profit arts organization, the Estes Park Film Festival relies heavily on the support of our local, regional, and national sponsors. Without their generosity, the Festival wouldn't be able to bring such a high quality of film programming to the Estes Park area year after year. We encourage you to support these sponsors year-round and watch for our sponsors at events, venues, and activities that contribute to the Festival experience.

Download our Sponsor Packet below and learn how you can become a sponsor today!

"The Eclipse" opens in theatres March 26

2010-03-07T09:12:00.004-07:00

After its western United States premiere at the Estes Park Film Festival, "The Eclipse" opens in theatres March 26! Click Here for list of theatres.

THE ECLIPSE tells the story of Michael Farr (Ciarán Hinds), a teacher raising his two kids alone since his wife died two years earlier. Lately he has been seeing and hearing strange things late at night in his house. He isn't sure if he is simply having terrifying nightmares or if his house is haunted.

Each year, the seaside town where Michael lives hosts an international literary festival, attracting writers from all over the world. Michael works as a volunteer for the festival and is assigned the attractive Lena Morelle (Iben Hjejle), an author of books about ghosts and the supernatural, to look after. They become friendly and he eagerly tells her of his experiences. For the first time he has met someone who can accept the reality of what has been happening to him.

However, Lena's attention is pulled elsewhere. She has come to the festival at the bidding of world-renowned novelist Nicholas Holden (Aidan Quinn), with whom she had a brief affair the previous year. He has fallen in love with Lena and is going through a turbulent time, eager to leave his wife to be with her. But all Lena is trying to do is extricate herself from this mess and just get through the next few days.

As the festival progresses, the trajectories of these three people draw them into a life-altering collision.

Embellished by the supernatural, THE ECLIPSE is a film about the challenges of love, fear of the unknown and release from the burden of grief.

Estes Park Film Festival receives Google Grant award

2010-01-25T09:46:00.000-07:00

(Estes Park, CO) The Estes Park Film Festival has recently been awarded an AdWords online advertising grant from Google. The Google Grants program supports organizations sharing Google's philosophy of community service to help the world in areas such as science and technology, education, global public health, the environment, youth advocacy, and the arts. Film festival co-director Cliff Armitage commented “This grant is a tremendous push in marketing for the Estes Park Film Festival, as it will help increase publicity – and more importantly – public knowledge of our organization and its endeavors.”

Designed for 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations, Google Grants is a unique in-kind advertising program harnessing the power of Google AdWords advertising product. Google Grants has awarded AdWords advertising to hundreds of non-profit groups whose missions range from animal welfare to literacy, from supporting the arts to promoting HIV education.

In recent years, the Estes Park Film Festival has bolstered their online presence with an interactive event schedule, a festival blog, and various online videos which feature filmmaker interviews and documentaries about the Historic Park Theatre. With the additional support from Google Adwords, the festival will now be able to engage and inform a larger audience on the internet.

Founded in 2005, the annual Estes Park Film Festival takes place each September at the Historic Park Theatre in Estes Park, Colorado. Built in 1913, the Historic Park Theatre is the oldest continually operating movie theatre in America and in 1984 was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. The festival’s mission is to educate, inspire, and advance a greater appreciation of independent cinema and to support the preservation of historic cinematic landmarks. More information about the festival can be found on their website: www.estesparkfilm.com.

Call For Entries! 2010 Estes Park Film Festival

2009-12-15T12:42:00.001-07:00

We are pleased to announce the start of our Call for Entries for the 2010 Estes Park Film Festival! We are looking for the best independent Feature Films, Documentaries, and Short Films for our fifth annual event in beautiful Estes Park, Colorado. Submit early and save!

MISSION & OBJECTIVE
The Estes Park Film Festival is dedicated to providing a platform for filmmakers from around the world to screen their newest productions in the relaxing and creative atmosphere of Estes Park, Colorado. Our goal is to educate, inspire, and advance a greater appreciation of independent cinema. We also support the preservation of historic cinematic landmarks.

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
Founded in 2005, the annual Estes Park Film Festival takes place each September in beautiful Estes Park, Colorado, home of Rocky Mountain National Park! Each year filmmakers from around the world travel to Estes Park to showcase their newest films at the beautiful Historic Park Theatre. Built in 1913, the Historic Park Theatre is one of the oldest movie theatres still operating in America, and in 1984 was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Visit www.estesparkfilm.com for more info!

Estes Park Film Festival
September 17-19, 2010

EPFF Filmmaker Spotlight - Cosmos Kiindarius

2009-11-10T10:34:00.000-07:00

Estes Park Film Festival Filmmaker Spotlight. Cosmos Kiindarious, director of the shot film "Family Recipes", sat down with the 7522 Network's Jenny Blaue at the 2009 EPFF to talk about his films and the film industry in general.

Win for ‘The Eclipse’ at Sitges Festival

2009-11-07T15:05:00.001-07:00

Fresh from its Colorado premiere at the Estes Park Film Festival, ’The Eclipse’ has been awarded the top prize in the Best European Motion Picture category at the Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival in Spain.

More info HERE

Park Theatre Ad's from 1920

2009-11-07T14:42:00.003-07:00

Here are some vintage newspaper ad's for the Park Theatre. They're from 1920 and feature such films as Cecile Demille's "Male and Female" as well as "Johanna Enlists" starring Mary Pickford. These were all silent films of course, but "talkies' arrived less then ten years later.

2009 Estes Park Film Festival Q&A - Clip 1

2009-11-03T11:03:00.000-07:00

First part of the Filmmaker Q&A from the 2009 Estes Park Film Festival in Colorado. During this clip the filmmakers explain what challenges they faced making their films and what their expectations were.

Park Theatre Mall Fire Aftermath

2009-10-26T20:55:00.002-06:00

These are some clips that I filmed 2 days after the Park Theatre Mall Fire in Estes Park, Colorado (October 21, 2009). The Estes Park Fire Department is seen putting out some of the remaining hot spots. The cause of the fire was determined to be accidental.

Sean Doherty

Joint Investigation Rules Estes Park Mall Fire Accidental

2009-10-24T13:25:00.000-06:00

ESTES PARK, COLO. – The joint fire investigative team consisting of members from the Estes Park Police Department (EPPD), Estes Park Fire Department (EPFD), National Response Team (NRT) from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), ATF Denver Field Division, and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) have completed their on-scene origin and cause investigation into the October 19 blaze at the Park Theatre Mall. The fire destroyed approximately 24,000 sq. ft. of the circa 1914, Park Theater Mall building located on 116 E. Elkhorn Avenue, in the historic downtown area of Estes Park, Colo.

Special Agent in Charge Richard E. Chase of the ATF Denver Field Division, Mayor Bill Pinkham of the Town of Estes Park, Town Administrator Jacquie Halburnt, Chief Wes Kufeld of the EPPD, and Chief Scott Dorman of the EPVFD, jointly announced today that the fire which resulted in extensive damage to Park Theatre Mall has been determined to be accidental in nature.

Through a process of elimination of possible failures of electrical, natural gas, and heating systems; as well as the evaluation of fire patterns within the structure, the examination of the evidence, and interviews conducted, the team of investigators determined that the cause of this fire was accidental. Investigators were able to conclude that a natural gas water heater located inside a small closet ignited available combustible materials resulting in the spread of the fire throughout the building.

“Combining federal, state and local resources resulted in an expeditious determination of the fire’s origin and cause. The information and evidence developed by investigators was reviewed and analyzed to assist in determining the accidental cause of the fire” said Chase.

The responding ATF NRT component for this particular fire investigation consists of 21 members, including veteran special agents who have post-blast and fire origin-and-cause expertise; forensic chemists; explosives enforcement officers; fire protection engineers; electrical engineers, computer forensic specialists and intelligence specialists. In addition, a cadre of investigators from the Estes Park Police Department, ATF Special Agents from the Denver Field Division, and a Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) accelerant detection K-9 team worked together with the NRT to bring this investigation to a quick resolution.

According to Town of Estes Park building officials, the cleanup will begin this weekend. “Everyone is working hard to clean-up the site and make the area look esthetically pleasing, in preparation for Estes Park’s annual Halloween celebration downtown. The annual Halloween celebration will be held as scheduled,” said Police Incident Commander Eric Rose.

The sidewalk area will be a covered, shingled walkway built to American Disabilities Act (ADA) specifications. The walkway also will be lighted to allow safe pedestrian use during nighttime hours. Reconstruction efforts, including the demolition and the removal of construction debris are highly regulated by state health department and Environmental Protection Agency regulations to ensure that safety of the local community. Chief Building Official Will Birchfield stated that no demolition permits will be issued until companies involved have received approval of their abatement plans from state and federal authorities.

More information on Estes Park can be found at www.estes.org. Information about the ATF and its programs is available at www.atf.gov.

More photos of the Park Theatre Mall Fire

2009-10-22T14:34:00.001-06:00

Fox Affiliate Story on Park Theatre Mall Fire

2009-10-22T14:31:00.001-06:00

ESTES PARK - No one hurt but businesses are devastated in the Town of Estes Park.

"Oh my god it looks horrible, lots of flames billowing smoke, the water.. looks awful," said Estes Park residents as they watched the historic old Park Theater Mall engulfed in flames.

Nearly 100 years of the town's history goes up in flames.

"It's put many people away from their businesses I mean I've got 14 businesses in there I had two new ones coming on and now they are displaced, my apartment was upstairs I lived above the mall it was my home," said Sharon Seeley, the mall building's owner and resident who lived in an upstairs apartment.

Opened as a Livery Stable in 1914, the Park Theater Mall in the heart of Estes Park's Historic District gone in just a few hours.

"We are very very thankful this is a community where people come out to hug us and tell us it will be okay," said business owner Dana Kortokrax.

And while many lost everything, the remain philosophical.

"Quite honestly today, i'm thinking of my friends. i'm thankful people are safe and the people that lived over their shops got out and are ok," said business owner Cheryl Grigsby.

Because of the instability of the old structure, firefighters had to battle the flames from outside.

The town has no fire code, so the historic building had no sprinklers or fire alarms.

"If we'd had a wind this fire would have just ripped through the whole east section of town for a couple of blocks..we're just very very fortunate," said Estes Park Mayor Bill Pinkham.

Business owners will sort through their losses, with hopes of rebuilding.

"There are no words, to say the loss that you feel at this point," said mall owner Sharon Seeley.

Agents from the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms will spend the next few days trying to determine the cause of the fire.

A FOX 31 viewer listed the businesses destroyed as the Intrigue Gift Shop, The Music Box Collection, 14ers Café, Mountain Blow, Spectrum, and The Christmas Shoppe.

The building dates back to 1914 and originally served as a carriage house and livery. It was later turned into a shopping center that was home to seven stores but it wasn't equipped with sprinklers or a fire alarm.

Flames were seen shooting through the roof of the building and the fire sent heavy smoke over downtown Estes Park, located at the eastern entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park.

The town's main street, Elkhorn Avenue, was closed temporarily to accommodate fire trucks and electricity was also temporarily shut off because of safety concerns.

Daily Camera Picture of Fire

2009-10-20T11:22:00.000-06:00

Looking east on Elkhorn Ave.

Park Theatre Mall Video

2009-10-20T11:02:00.001-06:00

Park Theatre Mall Fire Photo

2009-10-20T10:30:00.003-06:00

From right to left - Film Festival Staff Member Jerimiah Whitlock, Film Festival Director Sean Doherty, and Park Theatre projectionist Tony Hernandez look on as the Park Theatre Mall goes up in flames. The theatre itself was spared thanks to the efforts of the local fire departments on the scene.

Fire Burns Landmark Mall In Downtown Estes Park

2009-10-20T10:28:00.000-06:00

ESTES PARK, Colo. -- A fire destroyed a major landmark in downtown Estes Park Monday morning, gutting the Park Theatre Mall but sparing the historic Park Theatre.

The two-alarm fire apparently began in the Park Theater Mall at about 6:21 a.m. Upon arrival, firefighters reported seeing flames breaking through the roof on the west side of the mall building.

CONTINUE READING

Estes Park Film Festival Announces Winners!

2009-09-21T18:30:00.004-06:00

The 4th Annual Estes Park Film Festival concluded on September 20th with director Paul Cotter and his film "Bomber" winning both Best Feature and Audience Choice Award. The British comedy, starring Shane Taylor (Band of Brothers), is about a family's cross country trip through Germany. "Don't Fence Me In" about women and girls in Wyoming won Best Documentary while "The Shaman's Apprentice" about a skeptical anthropologist's run in with a powerful shaman healer won Best Short Film.

Showcasing over 40 independent films from around the world, the 2009 Estes Park Film Festival took place September 17-20 at the Historic Park Theatre in downtown Estes Park, Colorado. Built in 1913, the Park Theatre is the oldest operating movie theatre in America. Festival attendees and filmmakers from across the country traveled to Estes Park to enjoy the films, parties, and awards gala at the 4th annual event.

Below is a list of all the festival winners.

Best Feature “Bomber” – Paul Cotter
Best Short “The Shaman's Apprentice” – Max Nova
Best Documentary “Don't Fence Me In” – Bonnie Kreps
Student Choice Award “Childhood Fears” - Cameron Roubique
Audience Choice Award “Bomber” – Paul Cotter
Excellence in Filmmaking Award - Patrick Rea
Boulder Digital Arts Award - Justin Bauer

Estes Park Film Festival Starts Thursday

2009-09-14T19:45:00.001-06:00

World premieres, international films, and a special pre-release sneak preview on tap for the fourth annual event!

Showcasing over 40 independent films from around the world, the 4th Annual Estes Park Film Festival will take place September 17-20 at the Historic Park Theatre in downtown Estes Park, Colorado. Built in 1913, the Park Theatre is the oldest operating movie theatre west of the Mississippi and is on the national register of historic places.

Highlights on Thursday include a block of Student Films at 4:15 PM, the critically acclaimed documentary "The Providence Effect" at 7:00 PM and the Italian Drama "Tre Lire, Primo Giorno" at 9:00 PM

Visit http://estespark.bside.com/2009/schedule/week for the complete schedule of films as will as links to purchase individual tickets to each film program.

To purchase advance All-Access Passes and One Day Film Passes visit: http://www.estesparkfilm.com/boxoffice.html

Estes Park Film Festival Online Schedule

2009-09-12T13:17:00.000-06:00

Visit: http://estespark.bside.com/2009

Registration is not required to browse the site, track audience buzz, and learn about the Estes Park Film Festival. If you choose to register, you can create a personal festival calendar, rate and review films, and receive updates about upcoming screenings.

EPFF Spotlight "Tre Lire, Primo Giorno"

2009-09-11T16:24:00.002-06:00

Synopsis: Four young boys work as nurses in a local hospital in Northern Italy and are uncertain about what to do with their lives. In the same hospital, a ninety year old man in a coma is admitted. One night he awakens, takes a walk down the corridors and finds four nurses hidden in a small room, concentrating on a poker game. He explains that he has a purpose for them and asks them to retrieve a small box hidden below one of the tiles in a square overlooking the sea. He explains that inside the box lies a letter with a precious stamp – the Tuscan Tre Lire, dated January 1st 1860, but he wants them to leave and bring back the stamp immediately as he may slip into a coma again. The nurses decide to follow the old man and there begins an adventure full of obstacles and surprises; they are going to discover who they really are and where they are really going.

See this film at the Estes Park Film Festival Thursday September 17th at 9:00 PM.

Longmont Times Article Mention

2009-09-11T15:36:00.001-06:00

Link: http://www.timescall.com/news_story.asp?ID=18024

Film festival opens at Historic theater

ESTES PARK — The Fourth Annual Estes Park Film Festival is planned for Sept. 17 to 20 at the Historic Park Theatre, 130 Moraine Ave.

The festival features more than 40 films, including “The Eclipse,” a drama that recently premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York.The festival also includes comedies, documentaries and shorts.

Call 970-231-2580 or visit www.estesparkfilm.com

"The Road to Fondwa" Movie Trailer

2009-09-10T19:04:00.000-06:00

Visit www.estesparkfilm.com for more info about this and many other films screening at the upcoming Estes Park Film Festival (Sept. 17-20).

Examiner Article about Estes Park Film Festival

2009-09-10T10:47:00.000-06:00

From : http://www.examiner.com/x-4483-Rocky-Mountain-National-Park-Examiner~y2009m9d10-Estes-Park-Film-Festival

The Fourth Annual Estes Park Film Festival will run from September 17-20 at the Historic Park Theater in downtown Estes Park. The festival is a way to view independent films in an amazing setting.

On opening night, visitors will be able to see a special pre-release screening of the movie The Eclipse by Tony Award-nominated writer/director Conor McPherson. The movie, which is about redemption through love, stars Ciaran Hinds, Iben Hjejle and Aidan Quinn.