Colorado Spotlight

Directors: Edward Drake, Scott Veltri, Francis Cronin

Winner of the SXSW Audience Award, THE ASCENT is the inspiring true story of Colorado Springs bilateral-amputee climber Mandy Horvath’s record-breaking attempt to crawl to the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro on her hands.

Colorado Note: Mandy Horvath, lead subject of THE ASCENT, is a Colorado-born and based bi-lateral above-knee amputee, creative writer, public speaker, actress, mountaineer, and 8-time World Record Holder and TIME100 Sports 2026 Honoree.

Directors: Rebekah Henderson, Lilah Park

Good Help is an urgent, deeply personal World Premiere documentary about Denver neighbors who came together to support Venezuelan migrants amid an unprecedented humanitarian crisis.

Colorado Note: Directors Rebekah Hendserson and Lilah Park are Denver-based filmmakers and DFF alum (RUNNING WITH MY GIRLS, DFF44, 2021). GOOD HELP follows Denver metro area residents who came together to support newly arrived Venezuelan migrants.

Director: Erin Espelie

IDEAS OF ORDER is a visually hypnotic fusion of science and art exploring cancer, cellular life, mortality, and human wonder through six years of laboratory research.

Colorado Note: Directed by Boulder-based filmmaker and University of Colorado professor Erin Espelie, IDEAS OF ORDER was born from her six-year artist residency within a Colorado biochemistry laboratory.

Director: Mara Gasbarro Tasker

THE RIVER is a stunning local Colorado documentary exploring the urgent fight to protect the Colorado River and the communities whose lives depend on it.

Colorado Note: Directed by Colorado-based filmmaker Mara Gasbarro Tasker, this locally produced documentary confronts an environmental crisis unfolding amongst the Colorado River.

Director: Isabella Grace Cohn

WATCH YOU RISE is a deeply personal documentary about consent, intergenerational trauma, and healing as a young filmmaker confronts sexual assault and works to break cycles of harm.

Colorado Note: Directed by Boulder-based filmmaker Isabella Grace Cohn.

Director: Sheryl Glubok

WELCOME TO THE FISHBOWL is a sharp, charming Denver-set comedy about a struggling writer whose chauffeur gig with a difficult bestselling author sparks an unexpected journey of ambition, self-discovery, and second chances.

Colorado Note: Directed by Colorado-born and Denver-based filmmaker Sheryl Glubok, and set against Colorado’s iconic mountain landscape.

Director: Annie Eastman

For 30 years, the Artnauts have brought contemporary art to communities around the world, using creativity to spark connection, reflection, and a powerful question: How do we stop hate with love?

Colorado Note: Director Annie Eastman is Denver based and the film profiles The Artnauts, an artist collective primarily composed of University of Colorado, Boulder and founded by University of Colorado, Boulder professor Dr. George Rivera.

Director: Ramzi Bashour

A tightly-wound Lebanese-American professor embarks on a cross-country road trip with her delinquent teenage son in this bittersweet dramedy about family, cultural clashes, and letting go.

Colorado Note: Hot Water was made in Colorado and produced by Colorado-born filmmaker Max Walker-Silverman, a Festival alum who previously screened his acclaimed 2025 drama feature Rebuilding at the 48th Denver Film Festival.

Director: Preston Tompkins

During the zombie apocalypse, two unlikely heroes discover the secret to avoiding bites: getting drunk, so they throw the biggest party in town to save as many people as possible. Starring Dave Anthony (Maron) and Gareth Reynolds (New Girl).

Colorado Note: This film is was made by a team of DFF alum & Denver-based directors and producers.

Director: Jack Cosgriff

When Loretta dies choking on a boba pearl, her two self-absorbed best friends spiral into a wild, drug-fueled crime spree, dragging her corpse along for the ride.

Colorado Note: Jack Cosgriff lives in Denver and is a DFF alum.

Director: Traven Rice

Two women unexpectedly unite through stories of grief and laughter, after their family throws a surprise memorial for a left breast.

Colorado Note: Traven Rice is based between CO and NY, and was a producer on INTO THE CHUTES, a short that played DFF48.

Directors: Alessandra Mesa

Frieda, a ski lift operator in Vail, cares for her neurodivergent brother after their mother’s sudden death while struggling with guilt, loneliness, and financial instability. An encounter with her estranged ex forces her to confront unresolved pain and responsibility.

Colorado Note: This film about a ski lift operator was shot in Vail, CO.

Director: Bruce Tetsuya

An ex-military pilot fears for his daughter’s safety after seeing a vision of the end of the world.

Colorado Note: This Colorado-based filmmaker has had a short in 8 consecutive Denver Film Festivals!

Director: Keenan O’Reilly

After making a pact to get out and stay out, two young men released from prison struggle to rebuild their lives—facing systemic obstacles, fractured families, and the pull of old ties that threaten to unravel everything they promised.

Colorado Note: This film is a collaboration between director Keenan O’Reilly, a Colorado native, and executive producer Will LaBahn, presenting sponsor of CinemaQ.