Breckenridge Festival of Film this Weekend

The Breckenridge Film Festival takes place this weekend - June 7 - 10.

While this year's festival takes place during a different time of the year, the Festival’s essential character will remain the same. Festival President Karin Penegor said,

“June is equally well-suited to the casual and interactive atmosphere that has made the Breckenridge Film Festival special. The Festival has always been enhanced by its beautiful mountain environment and June will provide as perfect a setting for the event as September always has.”

There are several reasons for the new date, Penegor explained. “The fall season is saturated with film festivals – not only in Colorado, but nationally and internationally; in the spring, Breckenridge will provide a better opportunity for filmmakers to present their work…and for film fans to attend the Breckenridge Film Festival.”

Furthermore, she noted that, “As September, in general, has become a busier time, the choices for potential audiences have multiplied…and have become harder to make. The spring is, by comparison, relatively open. Our sponsors, lodging partners, event venues and the Town are all looking forward to hosting a spring Festival, so it will benefit our audiences and guests, as well.”
Vanessa Flaherty, Facilities and Events Manager for the Town of Breckenridge, confirmed that assessment, saying, “This type of event is very welcome during June which has typically been a slower time of year.”

Penegor emphasized the new date does not mean a change in the Festival’s fundamental goals of hosting stellar guests, presenting exceptional premieres and independent films, and creating an event to be shared by filmmakers and film-goers alike. “We are pleased there are no red carpets, no velvet ropes at Breckenridge…and that tradition will continue,” she said.

The Festival has welcomed some 80 luminaries of the cinema world including Donald Sutherland, Jon Voight, Eva Marie Saint, Sydney Pollack, James Earl Jones, Jane Alexander, Irvin Kershner, Alan Arkin, Jonathan Demme, Jon Favreau, Michael York, Lou Diamond Phillips and the late Rod Steiger; it has premiered such acclaimed films as The Shawshank Redemption, L.A. Confidential, American Beauty and Motorcycle Diaries; and it has presented hundreds of new independent films in many genres with filmmakers attending to discuss their work with audiences. The 2007 Breckenridge Film Festival will feature forums, panel discussions and seminars throughout the weekend and continue its educational programs in association with the University of Colorado Film Studies Department.

Jeffrey Lyons, NBC Film Critic and co-host of ReelTalk, and Ben Lyons, Movie Correspondent for The E! Network, host the Festival each year and conduct interviews with special guests at the open forums and post-screening Q&A sessions. Representatives of production companies and agencies will again be on hand to consult with filmmakers…and enlighten audiences…on the ‘behind-the-scenes’ processes of film production and distribution.

Director, and 2006 Festival guest, Irvin Kershner (The Empire Strikes Back, The Eyes of Laura Mars, The Film-Flam Man, A Fine Madness) observed that, with its growing emphasis on film arts development and its commitment to screening high quality independent films, the Breckenridge Film Festival “recaptures the early days of Sundance.”

For more information go to www.breckfilmfest.com