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By John Wenzel, The Denver Post

Aspen Film’s popular Aspen Shortsfest announced its 25th annual lineup today, including 13 world premieres and entries from filmmakers representing two dozen countries.

The competitive festival, which takes place at the renovated Wheeler Opera House and Carbondale’s Crystal Theatre April 5-10, features 78 films and more than two-dozen in-person director appearances.

“It’s truly a filmmaker’s festival,” said Katie Shapiro, marketing and publicity director for Aspen Film. “Each year we bring in around 50 filmmakers, and for a festival that’s dedicated to short film, to have so many filmmakers in attendance to present their work brings out such a special energy here.”

Previous festivals have featured documentary and narrative shorts that have gone on to be nominated (and win) Academy Awards, including 2015’s Best Animated Short Film winner “Bear Story.”

This year’s festival includes “Good White People,” about the gentrification of a historic Cincinnati neighborhood, the black-and-white animated film “I, Destini,” “Seide,” a Kyrgyzstan film about arranged marriage, and “Bacon and God’s Wrath,” Sol Friedman’s quirky documentary about a 90-year-old Jewish woman trying bacon for the first time.

In addition to being an Oscar-qualifying showcase, the juried festival is also a chance for many international shorts — defined as having a running time of 40 minutes or less — to gain steam on their way to other festivals and awards.

“We could not be prouder of the program for the 25th installment of Aspen Shortsfest,” said Aspen Film Artistic Director Maggie Mackay, in a press release. ” A truly eclectic program, representing so many corners of the world and reminding us, in ways touching, enlightening, harrowing, hilarious and most of all memorable, how we are all connected.”

A complete Aspen Shortsfest program and schedule is available at aspenfilm.org, while special events, awards and jurors will be announced on Monday, March 21.

Tickets are on sale to the public on Friday, March 18. Advance tickets are available for purchase for Aspen Film members beginning Wednesday, March 16. All are available through Aspen Show Tickets at the Wheeler Opera House Box Office andaspenshowtix.com.

General admission tickets for regular Shortsfest Programs are $15 each.

John Wenzel: 303-954-1642, jwenzel@denverpost.com or @johnwenzel