No Pass Necessary
Plenty of free programming on tap during Mountainfilm this week
Here’s a guide to Mountainfilm’s free programming:
BASE CAMP
Mountainfilm will screen movies at its free outdoor theater, Base Camp, Wednesday through Sunday nights. Films start at 8:45 p.m., and the audience should bring warm layers and low-backed chairs. Audiences can expect plenty of local representation this year:
- a debut narrative short by Max Walker-Silverman (“Lefty/Righty,” Thursday)
- a feature film about Telluride’s own Valley Floor (“The Valley,” Thursday)
- two new films from hometown heroes Ben Knight and Travis Rummel (“Life of Pie,” Friday; and “A Thousand Casts,” Sunday).
- Saturday, as is tradition, reserved for the always-popular Adrenaline program
GALLERY WALK
An impressive array of visual artists — many who are also subjects of films — will exhibit their art at Telluride galleries for the festival’s annual Gallery Walk, which is free and open to the public. The reception takes place Friday from 3:30-6:30 p.m. This year’s artists include:
- Winfred Rembert, whose intricate leather carvings are considered an American treasure, at Ah Haa West
- David Benjamin Sherry, a renowned contemporary photographer whose hyper-vivid images of the American West are helping reframe the way we see public lands, at Telluride Gallery of Fine Art
- Douglas Miles Sr., a designer and founder of Apache Skateboards who draws both from modern street culture and traditional Apache art, at Ah Haa East
COFFEE TALKS
Each morning of the festival, special guests, film subjects, artists and authors take part in intimate and engaging panel conversations over coffee. Mountainfilm’s free Coffee Talks offer access to candid and dynamic discussions with incredible guests. There are seven talks each morning on Saturday, Sunday and Monday of the festival. All take place from 8-9 a.m. — BYO mug. This year’s talks include:
- a discussion with activists Erin Parisi and Bam Mendiola about equity in mountaineering (Saturday, Christ Church)
- a one-on-one with Obama advisor and author Ben Rhodes (Sunday, Mountain Lodge)
- a conversation with pioneering climber Sir Chris Bonington (Monday, Ah Haa West).
- a special Monday talk with Tom Shadyac and Cheryl Strayed at the Sheridan Opera House.
FREE-RANGE PROGRAMS
Mountainfilm’s free-range programs offer a nod to the festival’s roots by taking people outdoors. Find info or sign up at the North Face tents in Elks Park.
- This year, the festival’s presenting sponsor, The North Face, is also getting in on the action by hosting twice-a-day climbing, biking, hiking or Via Ferrata outings on Saturday and Sunday.
- field sketching with artist Abby McBride (Saturday, 3 p.m.)
- a railroad history tour with film subject John Bush (Sunday, 11 a.m.)
- a nature walk with author Cheryl Strayed and blogger Jenny Bruso (Sunday, 2 p.m.)
SPECIAL EVENTS
And finally, there are free special events.
- The Mountainfilm edition of Twenty(by)Telluride takes place today (Wednesday) at 7 p.m. at the Sheridan Bar.
- Friday’s bilingual Cine de las Montañas film program takes place at 6:30 p.m. at the Wilkinson Pubic Library.
- Free ice cream will be scooped Saturday from 2-3:30 p.m. on Colorado Avenue during the annual street party that is the Ice Cream Social.
- The public is invited to buy their favorite Mountainfilm books during Sunday’s Reading Frenzy from 2-4 p.m. at the Ah Haa School.
- People can swing in to Happy Hours (and a Half) Saturday and Sunday nights from 5:30-7 p.m. at the Liberty Bar for entertainment hosted by Timmy O’Neill.
- And Monday’s special Mountainfilm edition of the Downlow will feature a free night of live storytelling at the Sheridan Opera House at 7 p.m.
For a full festival schedule, visit mountainfilm.org.