The Denver Film Festival returns this November for its 45th annual installment.
The 2023 lineup will feature 200-plus films , including "The Holly" -- investigative reporter Julian Rubinstein's documentary about former Blood, turned-anti-gang activist, turned mayoral candidate Terrance Roberts and police corruption in the city's gang wars.
"We could not be more excited to bring this year's diverse, global film lineup to our Denver-area audiences," Denver Film Festival Artistic Director Matthew Campbell said in a statement. "We're thrilled to have so many incredible films from across the world and to present the latest works by so many acclaimed directors. These wide-reaching creations and performances go well beyond entertaining and often deliver experiences for our guests as they generate conversations, debate and growth around serious topics that touch on the lives of so many in our community and beyond."
The festival runs November 2-13 and will take place at the Sie FilmCenter, the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, the Denver Botanic Gardens, the AMC 9 + CO 10 and the Tattered Cover on East Colfax.
The annual event will feature a mix of international and local movies of all genres and lengths.
Opening night, at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, will feature "Armageddon Time," a semi-autobiographical account of director James Gray's New York Childhood, with Anne Hathaway, Jeremy Strong and Anthony Hopkins.
Spotlighted screenings include Sam Mendes' "Empire of Light"; the documentary "Loudmouth," about Al Sharpton; and Sarah Polley's "Women Talking," with Frances McDormand, Claire Foy, Rooney Mara and Jessie Buckley.
Also in the mix: "The Whale," starring Brendan Fraser, who plays an obese man trying to reconnect with his daughter; "She Said," the story of New York Times journalists who broke a story around sexual assault in Hollywood; and "The Son," with Hugh Jackman, directed by Florian Zeller.
The festival will also spotlight cinema from the United Kingdom, Ireland and Italy, along with special programming tied to the Sie FilmCenter's year-round festivals: CinemaQ, Women+Film, and the Dragon Boat Film Festival.
Other local films to be screened include Netflix's "How to Build a Sex Room," Alexandre O. Philippe's "Lynch/Oz," and shorts by Kelly Sears, Usama Alshaibi and many more.
"Our annual celebration of the world's best films presents opportunities to experience groundbreaking content, to see, experience and understand new perspectives of our world through the eyes of the industry's most creative writers, directors and actors." said Denver Film CEO Kevin Smith in a statement. "Over four-and-a-half decades, Denver Film has been instrumental in delivering these shared, communal opportunities with Denver-area film lovers and, now more than ever, we understand and appreciate just how important it is to experience these works in person."
Tickets go on sale to members at 6 p.m., on October 3 and to the general public at 10 a.m. on October 7. For more information, go to the festival website.
