A sneak preview of the 35th Starz Denver Film Festival

By Phil Doyle

I recently had the good fortune of being invited to a sneak preview of the 35th Starz Denver Film Festival, one of the perks of writing for MileHighGayGuy.com, and a special screening of the upcoming thriller Arbitrage.

Every year the Film Festival’s attendance has been increasing, and every year the number of films, the size of the events, the diversity of the discussion panels, gets bigger and better. Last year’s event had a record breaking attendance of 55,025 people and presented 282 films from 40 countries.


The Festival presents achievement awards including the John Cassavetes Award, the Mayor’s Career Achievement Award, the Excellence in Acting Award, and the Rising Star Award. Last year, actors Judy Greer, James Cromwell, and Alan Cumming were in attendance to receive the Festival's top awards. Danny Boyle, Francis Ford Coppola, Morgan Freeman, Sean Penn, and Helen Mirren are previous attendees. I could keep name-dropping, but the list goes on and on …

Needless to say, The 2012 Stars Film Festival should be a doozy! The Festival’s venues will include the Denver FilmCenter location (next to the Tattered Cover on Colfax), and is also expanding to include screens at the Denver Pavilions!

Personally, the best part of the Festival is this: The people who support and attend have a love and appreciation of film. It gives me a chance to get out of the house, attend a diverse array of films, and socialize with some like-minded cool people. You can probably tell I’m a big fan. Mm-hmm, thats right. I am. I even have a t-shirt!

So, before I put my pom-poms down, let me enthusiastically encourage you to check out The 35th Stars Film Festival. Plus, check out the Denver Film Society, which hosts events all year.

Finally, if you haven’t been to the Denver FilmCenter/Colfax, check it out! It’s next to the Tattered Cover on Colfax., under the parking structure. Really, there’s a very cool movie theatre in there! They have a liquor license and everything!

Top that! 'Teen Witch' comes to DFS's Watching Hour

First 'The Legend of Billie Jean' and now 'Teen Witch?'

Is Keith Garcia trying to make my head explode?

'Teen Witch' comes to the Starz Film Center on Friday and Saturday, April 2 and 3 at 10 p.m. Below is all you need to know about the movie.

Just look at how funky he is.

Fun Fact: The goofy, frizzy-haired rapping girl went on to marry the movie's male star, Dan Gauthier (below) in real life.

Denver Film Society Watching Hour: The Legend of Billie Jean

Don't miss 'The Legend of Billie Jean' on Friday & Saturday, March 12 and 13 at 10 p.m. as part of Denver Film Society's Watching Hour program.

When a couple of redneck ruffians cause Billie Jean's little brother to wreck his scooter, the young woman embarks on a crusade to recover the $600 that he needs to fix the bike. Soon Billie Jean becomes a symbol of righteousness and justice, as she changes from an ordinary teenage girl to an outcast crusader.

I'm so looking forward to this one. 

Tips for Guncles: Kids Saturday Nickel-odeon

Hey Guncles, embark on a fun-filled excursion for the nieces and nephews when you attend the Denver Film Socitety's free children's film series Kids Saturday Nickel-odeon every Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m.

The films are rated G, and entrance is totally free. Kids Saturday Nickel-odeon is ponsored by the Kids First! Coalition for Quality Children’s Media, the Scientific Cultural Facilities District (SCFD), Target, Wells Fargo and the Xcel Energy Foundation.

Things to do in Denver when you're gay: Party with Oscar

Film fans throughout the region are invited to the Denver Film Society's Party With Oscar®,a celebration of the 82nd Annual Academy Awards, on Sunday, March 7 beginning at 5p.m. at the Museum of Contemporary Art. This year's event celebrates the nominations of local filmmakers and films that made their Colorado debut at the 32nd Starz Denver Film Festival in November 2009.

Hosted by the Denver Film Society and presented by Moët & Chandon Champagne, is the only Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences-sanctioned Oscar party in Colorado. This year's festivities include red carpet arrivals, cocktail reception and dinner (either seated or buffet), a live feed of the 82nd Annual Academy Awards, a silent auction, a Predict-the-Winner's ballot contest, four floors of contemporary art, fashion by local designers, live DJ and more.

Individual tickets are available through the Denver Film Society website, www.denverfilm.org, or by calling 303-595-3456x221. Discounts are available for Denver Film Society and Museum of Contemporary Art members.

Tips for Guncles: Kids First Free Movies at Starz

Guncles (gay uncles) always have to be on the lookout for fun and reasonably-priced activities to do with the nieces and nephews and here's a great one that takes place every Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at the Starz Film Center.

Embark on a fun-filled excursion for the whole family when you attend this Saturday morning series with two guarantees: the films are rated G, and entrance is totally free.

This Saturday, February 28, the featured film will be 'Strawberry Shortcake: Happily Ever After.'

Strawberry and her friends bring two beloved fairy tales to life in magical adventures filled with very berry fun. In "Sleeping Beauty," Brambleberry Fairy (Angel Cake) feels neglected and casts a spell that puts Princess Strawberry Rose to sleep. The Princess's fairy friends (Appleberry, Rainbowberry, Gingerberry, Tangerinaberry and Orangeberry) aren't able to awaken her. It's up to Prince Huckleberry to work his magic and teach Brambleberry Fairy an important lesson in friendship and listening.
The enchantment continues in "A Princess Named Rap." Princess Rapunzel's (Rainbow Sherbet) teacher is disturbed by her non-royal interests especially her fascination with ships and navigation. But when the teacher's rowboat is swept out to sea, "Rap" shows everyone she has the right stuff to rule her kingdom.

Hey Denver! Party with Oscar 2009 is coming up

The Denver Film Society hopes you can join them Sunday, February 22 to view the Academy Awards in High Definition on the big screens at the Starz FilmCenter. This is the only officially sanctioned event in Denver to watch the Academy Awards and this year the Society is adding a touch of Rock 'N' Roll style to all that Hollywood glamour.

The night's festivities don't just include the 81st Academy Awards live on the big screen; prepare to be entertained with a live band, rocking DJ, games, tattoo artist, as well as food and drink specials served all night long.

Amazing prizes will be handed out all evening long including:

* Red-carpet ticket packages (5 of them!) to the 2009 Starz Denver Film Festival, which all include overnight accommodations at some of Denver's top hotels
* Tickets for other film festivals: Aspen ShortsFest, Los Angeles Film Festival, and CineVegas Film Festival
* Gift from Tiffany & Co.
* Tickets for Flight of the Conchords show at Red Rocks Amphitheatre
* Tickets for Colorado Ballet - The Repertory Series
* Tickets and VIP parking pass for Denver Nuggets vs. Atlanta Hawks
* Gift cards ranging from $25-$100 for Flylow Gear, Mike's Camera, Larimer Square, Wystone's World Teas, Black & Read, Twist & Shout, Yum Yum Delights, Blu Boutique
* Luxurious salon services and memberships from: Vito Pini Salon,
Click Salon, Pura Vida Fitness & Spa
* Wine and spirits: bottles of Veuve Cliquot champagne, bottles of Moët & Chandon champagne, signed magnum of rare wine, wine-of-the-month club at Argonaut Wine & Liquor, bottles of Francis Ford Coppola wine
* Signed posters, DVDs, books and more....

With all of this up for grabs it makes it an event not to be missed!

Doors to the Starz FilmCenter open at 5 p.m. and your best Rock 'N' Roll attire is recommended. Tickets are $40 for members and $45 for general admission (includes food and 2 drink tickets), unless you choose to "travel green" and ride your bike for a special $20 ticket (also includes food and drink specials). Purchase your tickets now at www.denverfilm.org.