16 Films in 6 Days | Aspen Daily News
September 3, 2025
Aspen Film announced the program for its six-day Filmfest, which will showcase 15 invited films and one well-known classic starting Sept. 16.
“Themes of family, perseverance, identity, justice, and love shine through many of the selections, along with unflinching and unforgettable characters,” a news release from the nonprofit says.
Ten features and six documentaries will be screened, including the world premiere of “Dreamboats” directed by Zach Thompson. The story concerns two chefs who take on the challenge of a 3,000-mile row across the Atlantic Ocean.
Opening the festival is Italian director Paolo Sorrentino’s “La Grazia,” which had its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival. Bill Condon’s new adaptation of “Kiss of the Spider Woman,” starring Diego Luna, Tonatiuh and Jennifer Lopez, also is included in the lineup.
The non-competitive festival will officially close on Sept. 21 following a free community matinee screening of “The Muppet Movie” (1979) in commemoration of the year Aspen Film began.
The fall festival features films that premiered at global film festivals, including Cannes, New York, Sundance, SXSW, Telluride, Toronto, Tribeca and Venice. Filmfest 2025 will take place exclusively at the Aspen Film Isis Theatre, 406 E. Hopkins Ave.
Aspen Film Executive and Artistic Director Susan Wrubel said in the release that this year’s lineup “offers something for everyone … and once again we’re presenting a dynamic mix of documentary and feature films that are sure to delight, raise discussion, move and inspire our audiences.
“Now in our 46th year, Aspen Film is honored to share an array of films that introduce a range of incredible characters who persist, finding achievement, success and satisfaction in the most surprising places. This is the magic of the movies,” Wrubel continued.
“Dreamboats,” a 95-minute documentary, is scheduled for Sept. 20 at 2 p.m. In the film, English-born restaurateur Ben Towill and chef Charlie Layton — self-proclaimed “slightly soft chefs” driven by a passion for food and adventure — find themselves at a crossroads during the pandemic.
“Seeking a new goal to anchor themselves amid the uncertainty, they set their sights on an audacious challenge: rowing 3,000 miles across the Atlantic in the world’s toughest row,” the release says.
A question-and-answer session with Towill, Layton and Director Zach Thompson will follow the screening.
For tickets and the full program, visit aspenfilm.org/festival/2025-filmfest/.
Tickets also are available Sept. 9-12 at Aspen Film’s office, 110 E Hallam Ave., Suite 115. Ticket pickup hours are noon to 4:30 p.m., Tuesday through Friday.
From Sept. 16-20, tickets can be purchased at the Filmfest box office: 420 E. Hopkins Ave. Filmfest box office hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.