Ouray International Film Festival

"I had a film do some of festivals during 2020-2021 and this was the best festival it was a part of. A filmmaker at the Ouray Int'l Film Fest recommended somewhere to submit my film and that led to it having national distribution and broadcasting on PBS. The fest screens amazing films, Ouray is one of the most beautiful places in the USA, and the intimate size of the fest means you get to meet everyone, eat, drink, hike, hot spring, and be merry. I would recommend this fest to any and everyone that wants an amazing festival experience (as a guest, sponsor, or filmmaker)."

"One of the best film festivals I've ever attended! The screenings and events were so thoughtfully curated. The audience was excellently engaged. The festival team are the coolest, who did everything they could to help build this tight-knit community. I made so many friends who inspired and uplifted. OIFF is one of a kind!!!!"

"This is by far the greatest film festival I have ever been to. The quality of the film curation is something you would expect of legacy festivals. This, paired with the breathtaking-yet intimate mountain valley setting allows you to be up close and personal with some of the most exciting filmmakers and artists of our moment. The end result is that you leave feeling truly inspired and connected to not only the art, but the artists themselves in a way you won’t find anywhere else. This connection has me invested not only in the films I saw, but the people who made them. I’m thrilled to see what they make next. The setting is unbelievable, the “little Switzerland of America.” I can’t wait to return year after year."

"I love Ouray and the Ouray International Film Festival so much that the next tattoo I get is going to be the outline of the mountains in their logo. I only have one tattoo currently. It’s a combined skyline of the cities I’ve called home. Ouray feels that way now. Like home. That’s a cheeky way to start a business review, but it easily expresses the impact this film fest has made on me as a filmmaker and person. Before June of 2022 I had never been to Ouray. Since then, I’ve been back four times. In June of 2022 I attended the festival as an alumni (my film ‘Voicemail’ played in 2020 but I opted not to attend out of COVID concerns). When I arrived in 2022 the town’s natural beauty combined with the artistic collective brought together by the fest was unlike anything I had ever experienced. Several of the filmmakers I’ve met through the fest have become my best friends of the past few years. These aren’t just colleagues, but humans I’m better for knowing — people I can’t imagine my life without and I owe those friendships to the bonds we made in Ouray at the fest dissecting and enjoying one another's work. My time there wasn’t solely moving because of this artistic immersion, but also because of the unified spirit of the townsfolk and local businesses of Ouray that the fest so integrally involves into its fabric. I’ve stayed twice at the Wiesbaden and treated their dogs like my own, drank one (or three) Mojo’s lattes every morning while sharing jokes with Heather, and my mouth is watering imaging the burger from Maggies and the quips exchanged over the counter. TL;DR - both the strength AND beauty of the mountains surrounding Ouray are reflected in the dynamic double-punch of art and community that the Ouray International Film Festival fosters every summer. And while the event may just be one weekend in June, its relational and creative impact lifts me up year round."

"The organization made me feel welcome when I arrived in Ouray. The festival venue was exceptional, and the vibrant atmosphere showcased a genuine passion for cinema. I am incredibly thankful for the opportunity to have our film selected and for the generous accommodations arranged. The connections I made with fellow filmmakers and industry professionals were invaluable, and the insightful panels and networking events enriched my experience. Thank you for hosting me and my fellow filmmakers at the Ouray International Film Festival. The experience was truly remarkable."