A decade of independence

A decade of independence

Durango Film Festival returns this year for its 10th anniversary
Fraughton
Bud Davis, a former Hollywood stuntman, was a featured panelist at the Durango Film Festival in 2012.
David Holub/Durango Herald illustration

The 10th annual Durango Film Festival kicks off Wednesday.

A decade of independence

Fraughton
Bud Davis, a former Hollywood stuntman, was a featured panelist at the Durango Film Festival in 2012.
David Holub/Durango Herald illustration

The 10th annual Durango Film Festival kicks off Wednesday.
Over the years

Aug. 24, 2005: Durango Independent Film Festival registers with the State of Colorado as a new nonprofit corporation.
2006: DIFF launches its inaugural film festival. Organization changes name from Durango Independent Film Festival to Durango Film Institute, DBA The Durango Independent Film Festival, to more fully reflect its updated mission statement and commitment to educate through the art of film.
2007: The second annual festival introduces the inaugural Panels and Workshops Program. Darren Foster, the founder and president of Film Scribe, a website dedicated to supporting screenwriters, conducts two writing workshops. Foster also is the co-founder and former director of The Vail Filmmaker Project at the Vail Film Festival.
2008: In DIFF's third annual festival, 27 of 103 films come from countries other than the United States. The return of Free Movie Night helps make independent film accessible to people of all economic means, seating 528 people on opening night.
2009: DIFF buys four new DigiBeta machines to enhance the viewing experience at the film fest. The Independent Spirit Award goes to Dave Thibodeau, Bill Graham and Matt Vincent of the Ska Brewing Co. for their many contributions to the festival. A Native American focus category is added to the festival.
March 2010: A filmmaker from Minsk, Belarus, attends Durango Film for the screening of his film 'Provincial.'
October 2010: Inspired by author Fred Wildfang's book Hollywood of the Rockies, local artists create the set of letters D-U-R-A-N-G-O, mimicking the iconic sign above the filmmaking capital of the world for the Durango Independent Film Festival's Walk of Fame, which combines art, film, food and fun. About 120 people walk the route, helping DIFF raise about $8,300.
2011: DIFF starts offering free community screenings on the Wednesday night of the festival.
2012: Name of festival gets shortened to 'Durango Film,' to encompass additional year-round activities and events. Rich Henrich, the executive director of the Albuquerque Film Festival wins the first, and possibly last, 'Show the Love' award for his help to set up panels and workshops and assisting with promotions. The LGBT program is integrated into the festival rather than remaining its own separate category.
2013: 'The Advocate,' directed by Tamas Harangi, wins the Juror Award for Best Narrative Feature Film.
2014: First midnight screening in Durango Film's history, featuring the zombie flick 'The Battery' about two ex-baseball players trying to stay alive in post-apocalyptic New England. Chris Air, the director of 'Smoke Signals,' comes to hang out at the festival; Judge Reinhold ('Fast Times at Ridgemont High') and celebrated Native American actor Wes Studi are special guests at the fest.
2015: Durango Film celebrates its 10th anniversary and adds a new venue in Bodo Park.
Samantha Wright

If you go

The films: Of the 300-400 films that filmmakers submitted, 91 made it into this year's festival. Durango Film Executive Director Joanie Fraughton is most excited about the 'awesome' shorts, including the Academy Award-nominated 'The Damkeeper,' on the family program. A few other films on her 'must-see' list include the feature-length animated adult film 'Cheatin' by filmmaker Bill Plympton and the 'very timely' feature documentary film 'Amina Profile' that just premiered at Sundance, exploring the topic, 'How do you trust someone you meet on the internet?' Check out the whole lineup of films at http://durangofilm.org/wp/2015-films/
The filmmakers: More than 30 filmmakers are expected to attend this year's festival. Pass-holders get to schmooze with them at the Meet the Filmmakers Party from 5-9 p.m. Friday at the Irish Embassy Pub Ambassador's Lounge, 900 Main Ave.
Free movie night: 6:30 p.m., 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Wednesday at the Gaslight Theatre. This is the fifth year in a row that Durango Film has been offering free flicks for the community on the Wednesday night of festival week. Free (of course) and open to the public.
Craft beer and culinary crawl: 5:30-8 p.m. Thursday. Sample craft beers from Durango breweries paired with appetizers from talented local chefs. Pairings will take place at five locations. Start wherever you like and crawl to all locations within the allotted time. For any festival pass-holders. Must be 21 or older.
Panels and workshops: 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Henry Strater Theatre, 699 Main Ave. This year's offerings include a filmmaker's panel featuring speakers from FX Networks and the vice president of programming for CBS; a casting panel with talent agents who will dish on how to be successful in auditions; a student panel with student filmmakers from the Sante Fe University of Art and Design; and a screenwriters panel with Emmy-nominated writer Rich Henrich leading a discussion on writer's block. Free and open to the public.