Each fall, Filmfest attracts engaging and thought-provoking films from across the globe. Whether it be documentary, arthouse, foreign-language, or comedy, Filmfest is curated to highlight unique stories told through diverse lenses that explore the human condition.
In its 44th year, Filmfest maintains the same core values that Aspen Film founder Ellen Kohner Hunt originally envisioned in 1979 when she passed a hand-written note to a friend at an Aspen Arts Council meeting simply stating: “How about having a film festival?”
Since then, Filmfest has provided a consistent platform for the best in independent, documentary, foreign-language, and art house cinema. Growing significantly from its humble beginnings in Ellen’s kitchen, Filmfest maintains a spirit of independence, a sense of community, and a foundation of inclusiveness.
Filmfest 2023 selection Beyond Utopia, directed by Madeleine Gavin, and winner of the esteemed Audience Award was shortlisted for Best Documentary Feature for the 2024 Academy Awards.