Returning for a Rocky Mountain High: Thoughts as I Head Back to the Telluride Film Festival

Around the time you read this, I’ll be en route to Telluride. Yes, I’m headed to the airport for another Rocky Mountain high…sort of. I’m headed to the mountains of Colorado, not to ski, but to the hallowed streets of Telluride for the prestigious Telluride Film Festival. After last year’s successful outing, I’m returning for the 50th installment of the festival? With Telluride about to kick off tomorrow, and as I’m going to be there the rest of the week, I figured I’d muse a little bit about all of this today…

Last year was my first at Telluride, largely due to the cost. Since the festival is basically the only one that charges the press to attend, I’d long been opposed to that. Last year was an experiment, but lo and behold, I’m hooked. Not only is it a fest that impacts awards season in a major way, it’s also just a wonderful experience, one I’m actually bummed I didn’t allow myself to do sooner.

What makes Telluride such a big deal year in and year out? Well, a lot of it is how beautiful the town is, but also how small it is, compared to how big the Oscar players that screen there are. For a while, a film that won Best Picture at the Academy Awards was always playing there, and it remains a hallmark of the fest. So, most studios consider it an excellent place to hawk their best wares.

What will I be seeing? Well, it’s a secret! At least until later today, that is. I have my suspicions, as I’ve detailed on some recent episodes of the Awards Radar Podcast, but it’s all going to be revealed soon enough. Whatever ends up in the lineup, it’ll be some of the highest profile titles of 2023. Once it’s known, I’ll be arranging my schedule to fit as much in as possible, with reviews to come as soon as humanly possible. There’s no rest for the weary kind, after all!

So, it’s going to be a busy time. I’ll in Telluride until Sunday, then back home for only about 48 hours or so, before I whisk myself off to Canada and the Toronto International Film Festival. Stick around and sit tight for all of the movies, as they’re likely to impact the Oscar season in a major way…

Stay tuned for all of my coverage and reviews from the Telluride Film Festival!