A quick jump-starter for those about to fest

With 136 (mostly) unreleased films to choose from, the Denver Film Festival can be a bit intimidating for a first-time festivaler.

There are many different possible strategies. You might want to focus on Colorado filmmakers, or documentaries, or international films, or LGBTQ, or shorts, or animation or Indigenous. On Denver Film’s website, there is a link for all of that and more.

You might want to eliminate the logistical puzzle of navigating traffic by choosing a home venue and sticking to it. Or you might want to zero in on screenings with celebrity appearances.

The only losing strategy is no strategy. And here’s one more: Do what Denver Film Festival Artistic Director Matt Campbell tells you. I mean, this is a man who screens 500 films a year – an average of 1.4 a day – (including Christmas!).

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Campbell hates being asked: “Hey, Matt: What is the overall theme of this year’s films?” So, every year, I ask him: “Hey, Matt: What is the overall theme of this year’s films?” After again reattaching his imploded head, he kindly said:

 “This year’s lineup is about resilience and reinvention — stories of people rebuilding, rediscovering and redefining themselves in the face of change. Whether it’s through love, loss, art or survival, these films reflect the courage it takes to start again.”

If you are ready to start your festival engine, we are here to help. Because when you ask Campbell to recommend five unmissable films (besides “Elway,” duh), you are pretty much guaranteed to have a winning fest. Onward, with quotes by Campbell:

1. ‘Train Dreams’: Joel Edgerton as a logger and railroad worker in the rapidly changing early 20th century. “One of my favorite films of the year — a lyrical and deeply moving adaptation of Denis Johnson’s novella. Clint Bentley, who first came to the festival with ‘Jockey,’ returns with a film that captures both the intimacy and the vastness of the American spirit.” 2:45 p.m. Nov. 2 at the Holiday Theater

2. ‘The Chronology of Water’: A competitive swimmer struggles to transform trauma into art. “Kristen Stewart’s debut as a director is an astonishingly poetic and raw piece of filmmaking, and Imogen Poots delivers a fearless, career-defining performance. We’re thrilled to welcome (Poots) to Denver to receive our Excellence in Acting Award — a perfect reflection of her extraordinary artistry and emotional range.” 7 p.m. Nov. 4 at the Denver Botanic Gardens

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3. ‘Rosemead’: A Chinese American mother discovers her teenage son’s violent obsessions. Before the screening, Lucy Liu will receive the John Cassavetes Award. “Lucy Liu’s performance is remarkable — quiet, emotional, and profoundly compassionate. It’s a story about grief, memory and resilience that lingers long after the credits.” 4:15 p.m. Nov. 8 at the Holiday Theatre

4. ‘Christy’: Sydney Sweeney stars as Christy Martin, the West Virginia fighter who put women’s boxing on the map. Ben Foster will receive Denver Film’s inaugural Outlaw Award. “Ben Foster continues to prove why he’s one of the most compelling actors of his generation. His work in ‘Christy’ is deeply layered and unpredictable — the kind of performance that defines what our new award is all about.” 6:45 p.m. Nov. 5 at the Holiday Theater

5.  ‘Nouvelle Vague’: Director Richard Linklater’s love letter to French New Wave. “Zoey Deutch will receive the Rising Star Award. “Zoey Deutch gives a luminous performance in this reimagining that pays homage to ‘Breathless’ while finding its own modern rhythm. She’s one of the most exciting talents working today.” 7 p.m. Nov. 5 at Sie FilmCenter

Bonus: Excellence in Directing honoree Gus Van Sant is coming to screen and discuss “Dead Man’s Wire” at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Holiday Theatre.

John Moore is the Denver Gazette’s Senior Arts Journalist. Email him at john.moore@denvergazette.com.

2025 DENVER FILM FESTIVAL

• When: Oct. 31-Nov. 9

• What: Feature-length films, documentaries and shorts, as well as panel conversations, parties and more

• Where: Sie FilmCenter (2510 E. Colfax Ave.); Ellie Caulkins Opera House (Denver Performing Arts Complex), Denver Botanic Gardens (1007 York St.), MCA Denver at the Holiday (2644 W. 32nd Ave.

• Tickets and complete festival lineup: denverfilm.org