by Anthiya Adams, staff writer
PPSC students have an opportunity to experience diverse storytelling methods, cinematic techniques and filmmaker forums for free, at the 36th Annual Rocky Mountain Women’s Film Festival at Colorado College, Oct. 20-22,2023.
RMWFF began in 1987, when Jere Martin and Donna Guthrie embarked on a journey from the Telluride Film Festival that led them to create their own kind of film festival. Martin and Guthrie collaborated on their drive back from Telluride and conceived the idea for a women’s film festival centered around their shared goal to tell alternative, diverse stories celebrating the creativity of women.
Since then, the festival has become the longest running North American women’s film festival.
The festival aims to create community, uplift unheard voices and stories and celebrate the contributions of women in the film industry. They may have hit the mark. Emily Dean Kim, RMWF board president, says that she was drawn to the festival because it creates space for “important conversations,” and her favorite part is the “feeling of community at the festival.” Dean Kim urged attendees to be prepared for a transformative experience that will “spark a range of emotions, challenge beliefs and inspire deeper levels of understanding,” she says. That sentiment is shared by Nicole Nicoletta, RMF executive director, who says that she comes away from the weekend “feeling inspired.”
Festival goers can expect a full weekend of specially curated films beginning with the Friday night opening reception, live music and screening of the documentary film Maestra (2023). Saturday and Sunday offer an added opportunity to engage with the filmmakers at the Filmmakers Forums.
A limited number of free student tickets are available. To request a free ticket, email sarah.mcmahon@PikesPeak.edu.
If you miss out on free student tickets, tickets can be purchased online at RMWFilm.org. Prices range from $20 to $55 for after dark and single-day tickets to $170 for the full festival.
Individual film block tickets are sold over the festival weekend in Cornerstone Arts Center at Colorado College. Nicoletta recommends either the flex pass, which gives attendees access to five films, or the full festival pass for the complete experience. If you cannot make it in-person, check out the Virtual Encore from Oct. 26-29.
Virtual tickets can be bought separately, or as a ticket add-on. To view the full film line-up or for more information, visit the festival website at RMWFilm.org.
Corner Stone Arts Center at Colorado College, located at 825 N. Cascade Ave., is set to host RMWFF opening night events. The box office will be open over the festival weekend for ticket sales and will-call ticket pick-up. Photo credit: Anthiya Adams
