If you are at all a movie buff, the annual Vail Film Festival is a perfect time to head up to the Rocky Mountains for some world-class skiing, top notch independent film viewing, and a chance to hobnob with some of your favorite stars. The Vail Film Festival was born on April 1st, 2004 by the Colorado Film Institute. It's first year drew in 5,000 guests, 60 films (including the premier of Before Sunset, starring Ethan Hawke and Julie Delphy), and received positive reviews from all those who attended. The festival continues to grow each year, with now over 1,000 film submissions, 12,000 attendees, 250 filmmakers, and 75 films packed into 4 full days of nothing but film screenings, receptions, parties, and concerts.
Some of the highlights over the previous Vail Film Festivals have include My Date with Drew (Drew Barrymore), Kung Fu Hustle, House of D (David Duchovny, Robin Williams), The Wendell Baker Story (Luke Wilson, Owen Wilson, Eva Mendes, Will Ferrell), The Oh in Ohio (Danny DeVito, Mischa Barton), American Dreamz (Dennis Quaid, Hugh Grant, Mandy Moore), and The Sasquatch Dumpling Gang (Napoleon Dynamite film-makers). Last years event brought in writer/director Kevin Smith (Dogma, Clerks, Chasing Amy) and actress Michelle Monaghan (Mission Impossible, Eagle Eye, Trucker) as honorary attendees, so you just never know who's going to show up.
This year will be the 7th Vail Film Festival and will take place from April 1st through April 4th, 2010, in scenic Vail village. Each year the festival showcases feature films, shorts, documentaries, and student films, including an Oscar Showcase. Besides the daily film screenings, those who purchase a Full Patron Pass will have access to panel discussions, classes, the filmmakers reception, award ceremony, nightly gala's, Friday concert, open bar, Saturday Closing Night party, and Closing Sunday brunch. All Film Festival Passholders will also receive discounted lift tickets for any or all of the four days.
If you are a filmmaker or screenwriter yourself and would like to submit some of your own work for consideration, the deadlines for screenplays is October 30th, and films, December 31st.
