AT HOME IN THE ASPEN FILM ISIS THEATRE, ASPEN FILM ANNOUNCES PROGRAM FOR 44th ANNUAL FILMFEST 

Aspen, CO (Aug. 22, 2023) Aspen Film is proud to announce the program for its 44th annual Filmfest, which will showcase top filmmaking from across the globe over six days: Sep.19-24. This annual fall festival will feature films that have premiered at some of the biggest festivals around the world like Sundance, Cannes, Toronto, and Telluride. New this year, Filmfest will take place exclusively at the Aspen Film Isis Theatre, celebrating the first full festival in the theater since 1986.

Comprised of just 16 invited films, this non-competitive festival will present highly anticipated, provocative fall 2023 titles that highlight themes of love, tenacity, truth, family, and freedom that shine through many of the selections, along with outstanding and unforgettable characters. 

FILMFEST HIGHLIGHTS

Aspen Film is thrilled to debut the World Premiere of the documentary THE GREAT DIVIDE, a timely story that takes an in-depth look at the origins of violence in America, from its roots in Native American genocide and African American slavery to the modern-day epidemic of mass shootings. 

The Opening Night film SHE CAME TO ME from indie auteur Rebecca Miller is not to be missed. With an all-star cast that includes Anne Hathaway, Marisa Tomei, and Peter Dinklage, Miller’s modern romantic comedy proves that love arrives in the most unexpected of ways. 

The Filmfest lineup features four highly accoladed international selections including two French dramas - the Cannes Film Festival Palme d’Or winner and the Best Director prize winner at this year’s festival; an unexpected and provocative Israeli comedy, and a deadpan Finnish film which also premiered in Cannes. 

Aspen Film will partner with several community organizations to showcase individual films with relevant themes including Jazz Aspen Snowmass, Aspen Words, and Response Aspen.  In addition, French Alpine Bistro will offer a special menu for the French foodie-themed film, THE TASTE OF THINGS. 

In addition, talent from several films will be joining us for special Q+As after the following screenings: MOUNTAIN QUEEN: THE SUMMITS OF LHAKPA SHERPA with Director Lucy Walker, BEYOND UTOPIA with Producer Rachel Cohen, and the World Premiere of THE GREAT DIVIDE with Director Tom Donahue, and Producer, Ilan Arboleda.

Aspen Film will unveil a surprise film selection (when member tickets go on sale on Sept. 5) for the festival’s late screening on Saturday, Sept. 23 at 8 p.m. The festival will close on Sunday, Sept. 24 with Errol Morris’s insightful documentary THE PIGEON TUNNEL based on John le Carré’s memoir. This film features Carré’s final interview.  

Susan Wrubel, Aspen Film Executive + Artistic Director, explains, “The joy of this festival is to gather with you to share and celebrate some of the best cinema from around the globe from the past year.”  Wrubel continues, “Despite feeling the reverberations throughout the entertainment industry of both a writers’ and a SAG-AFTRA strike, Aspen Film, once again, has been gifted with a most impressive roster of films. In addition to some timely and potent documentaries, we have a heavy dose of comedy and will transport you to some surprising and far-off places. This is the magic of the movies.”

44th ANNUAL ASPEN FILMFEST PROGRAM:

To view the full Filmfest schedule, film descriptions, and lineup, FILMFEST 2023 is live at Aspen Film’s website https://aspenfilm.org/festival/2023-filmfest/ 

Tuesday, September 19

4 p.m.

THE MISSION

(US, 2023) 102 MIN

DIRECTORS: Jesse Moss, Amanda McBaine

PRODUCERS: Simon Chinn, Jonathan Chinn

 

44th Filmfest Opening Reception

39 Degrees at The W Hotel at Aspen

Private Reception for Aspen Film Members and Passholders 

6 - 6:30 p.m. Aspen Film Members

6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Aspen Film Members + Passholders

 

8 p.m.

SHE CAME TO ME

(US, 2023) 101 MIN

FESTIVALS: Berlin International Film Festival 2023

DIRECTOR: Rebecca Miller

WRITER: Rebecca Miller

WITH: Peter Dinklage, Marisa Tomei, Anne Hathaway, Joanna Kulig, Brian d’Arcy James, Harlow Jane, Evan A. Ellison

 

Wednesday, September 20

12 p.m.

SILVER DOLLAR ROAD

(US, 2023) 100 MIN

FESTIVALS: Toronto International Film Festival 2023

DIRECTOR: Raoul Peck

WRITER: Raoul Peck

 

5 p.m.

BEYOND UTOPIA (Q+A)

(US, 2023) 115 MIN

FESTIVALS | AWARDS: Sundance Film Festival 2023, WINNER - Audience Award; Sydney Film Festival 2023, Winner - International Audience Choice

DIRECTOR: Madeleine Gavin

WRITER: Madeleine Gavin

Q+A with Producer Rachel Cohen

 

8 p.m.

KARAOKE

(ISRAEL, 2022) 100 MIN

FESTIVALS | AWARDS: Jerusalem International Film Festival 2022, WINNER - Audience Award/Best First Film; Israeli Film Academy Awards 2022 WINNER - Best Actor + Actress; Tribeca Film Festival 2022

DIRECTOR: Moshe Rosenthal

WRITER: Moshe Rosenthal

WITH: Sasson Gabay, Rita Shukrun, Lior Ashkenazi

 

Thursday, September 21

12 p.m.

THE GREAT DIVIDE (Q+A) 

World Premiere 

(US, 2023) 120 MIN

DIRECTOR: Tom Donahue

PRODUCER: Ilan Arboleda

Q+A: Director, Tom Donahue; Producer, Ilan Arboleda

 

4 p.m.

THE TASTE OF THINGS

(FRANCE, 2023) 145 MIN

FESTIVALS | AWARDS: Cannes Film Festival 2023 - WINNER, Best Director; New York Film Festival 2023

DIRECTOR: Anh Hung Tran

WRITER: Anh Hung Tran

WITH: Juliette Binoche, Benoît Magimel, Pierre Gagnaire, Jan Hammenecker

COMMUNITY PARTNER: French Alpine Bistro

 

8 p.m.

FAIR PLAY

(US, 2023) 113 MIN

FESTIVALS | AWARDS: Sundance Film Festival 2023, WINNER - US Dramatic Competition

DIRECTOR: Chloe Domont

WRITER: Chloe Domont

WITH: Phoebe Dynevor, Alden Ehrenreich, Eddie Marsan

 

Friday, September 22

12 p.m.

A LITTLE PRAYER

(US, 2023) 89 MIN

FESTIVALS: Sundance Film Festival 2023; Nantucket Film Festival 2023; Hamptons Film Festival 2023

DIRECTOR: Angus Machlachlan

WRITER: Angus Machlachlan

WITH: David Stratharin, Jane Levy, Dascha Polanco, Will Pulle

 

2 p.m.

FALLEN LEAVES

(FINLAND, 2023) 81 MIN

FESTIVALS | AWARDS: Cannes Film Festival 2023, WINNER - Jury Prize; New York Film Festival 2023

DIRECTOR: Aki Kaurismäki

WRITER: Aki Kaurismäki

WITH: Alma Pöysti, Jussi Vatanen, Alina Tomnikov

 

5 p.m.

FLORA AND SON

(US, IRELAND, 2023) 94 MIN

FESTIVALS: Sundance Film Festival 2023; Toronto International Film Festival 2023

DIRECTOR: John Carney

WRITER: John Carney

WITH: Eve Hewson, Jack Reynor, Orén Kinlan, Joseph Gordon-Levitt

 

8 p.m.

ANATOMY OF A FALL

(FRANCE, 2023) 151 MIN

FESTIVALS | AWARDS: Cannes Film Festival 2023, WINNER - Palme d’Or; Toronto International Film Festival 2023; New York Film Festival 2023

DIRECTOR: Justine Triet

WRITER: Justine Triet, Arthur Harari 

WITH: Sandra Hüller, Swann Arlaud, Milo Machado Graner, Antoine Reinartz

Saturday, September 23

2 p.m.

THE STONES AND BRIAN JONES

(UK, 2023) 93 MIN

FESTIVALS: Globe Docs Film Festival 2023

DIRECTOR: Nick Broomfield

WRITERS: Nick Broomfield, Marc Hoeferlin

COMMUNITY PARTNER: Jazz Aspen Snowmass

 

4 p.m.

MOUNTAIN QUEEN: THE SUMMITS OF LHAKPA SHERPA (Q+A)

(US, NEPAL, 2023) 105  MIN

FESTIVALS: Toronto International Film Festival 2023

DIRECTOR: Lucy Walker

WITH: Lhakpa Sherpa, Sunny Dijmarescu, Shiny Dijmarescu, Nima Sherpa

COMMUNITY PARTNER: Response 

 

8 p.m.

SURPRISE FILM! To be announced on Sep. 5, when member tickets go on sale.

Sunday, September 24

12 p.m.

THE PIGEON TUNNEL

(US, 2023) 93 MIN

FESTIVALS: Toronto International Film Festival 2023; New York Film Festival 2023; Hamptons Film Festival 2023

DIRECTOR: Errol Morris

WRITER: Errol Morris

WITH: John le Carré

COMMUNITY PARTNER: Aspen Words

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Sponsors: The 44th Annual Filmfest is made possible by the generous support of Alpine Bank, Aspen Daily News, Aspen Public Radio, W Aspen, The Addy Foundation, AspenOUT, Aspen Thrift Shop, Basalt Public Arts Commission, City of Aspen, Colorado Creative Industries, Colorado Office of Film Television + Media, Les Dames d’Aspen, Rotary Club of Aspen.

 

VIP PASS

Provided to Aspen Film Auteur + Visionary + Benefactor Level Members; includes entry to all Aspen Film festivals, year-round membership and reserved, bannered seats for all Aspen Film Isis Theatre festival screenings.

 

PRIORITY PASS

Available to Aspen Film Star + Producer + Storyteller Level Members; includes a year-round membership and access to the best available seating 20 minutes before showtime.

 

FESTIVAL PASS

Available exclusively at aspenfilm.org, Festival Passes include access to screenings and select events (no membership included).

 

SINGLE TICKETS 

ADMISSION FOR INDIVIDUAL FILMS

$25 General Admission 

$20 Aspen Film Members

FREE* for Roaring Fork Valley Students + Teachers

*Complimentary tickets for students are secured by showing a current student ID at the box office. Teachers with groups of students must reserve tickets by emailing [email protected]

 

TICKETS 

Advance tickets to ALL Filmfest screenings will be available for purchase to Aspen Film members beginning Sept. 5 and to the public on Sept. 9. Tickets can be purchased online at aspenfilm.org or, In-Person, at the Aspen Film Box Office: 110 E Hallam Ave; Suite 103. 

Box office hours are 12-5 p.m., Monday - Friday, September 5-18. 

Aspen Film will open a Box Office inside the Aspen Film Isis Theatre during the festival (September 19-24).   

 

PASSES 

Passes are on sale now at aspenfilm.org. A $350 pass gives you full access to all films at Filmfest. New this year, Aspen Film members will receive a full 20% discount on passes which comes to $280/per pass. Aspen Film memberships can be purchased at https://aspenfilm.org/membership/

 

SPECIAL NEEDS 

If you have special needs covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act, please notify Aspen Film at 970.925-6882 or [email protected]. Requests for ADA accommodations must be placed 14 days or more before the Festival start date, to allow staff the time needed to coordinate.

 

SOCIAL

For up-to-date information visit aspenfilm.org

Social Media Icons: Facebook / Instagram / Twitter

@ASPENFILM | #Filmfest2023

 

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