47th Denver Film Festival Adds Joan Chen, Virgil Williams, Malcolm Washington, Gabriel LaBelle, Cory Michael Smith to Honoree List

Denver Film announced today an expanded list of guests, award recipients, screenings, creative conversations and a podcast for this year’s Denver Film Festival, November 1-10 at locations across the metro area.

Highlighting the growing award honoree and screenings list are the illustrious actor Joan Chen(The Last Emperor) who will receive Denver Film Festival’s Career Achievement Award following the screening of her latest film Dìdi, November 10 at 1:15 p.m. at the Sie Film Center.

Virgil Williams & Malcolm Washington, who adapted August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize winning masterwork, The Piano Lesson, will receive the Excellence in Writing Award. Academy Award-nominated writer Virgil Williams (Mudbound) will be in attendance following the film’s screening on November 1 at 7 p.m. at the MCA Denver at the Holiday Theater to accept the award. The film’s director and co-writer Malcolm Washington will make a virtual appearance to accept the co-honors as well.

Academy Award-winning Composer Andrew Wyatt (Barbie, A Star is Born) will be in-person to receive the Excellence in Songwriting & Composing Award following the screening of his latest work in The Last Showgirl, November 7 at 7 p.m. at the AMC 9+ CO 10.

Saturday Night cast members Gabriel LaBelle, Cory Michael Smith, Cinematographer Eric Steelberg and Co-Writer Gil Kenan will join previously announced Writer/Director Jason Reitman to receive the 5280 Award, honoring exceptional cinematic work and collaboration to achieve new heights, following the November 7 screening at the MCA Denver at the Holiday Theater. The cast and creatives will participate in a post-screening Q&A following the awards presentation.

Also added to the Festival lineup, Vertical Entertainment’s Elevation starring Anthony Mackie. Screening November 4, 7 p.m. at the MCA Denver at the Holiday Theater. Director George Nolfi (The Banker) will be in person to present the film and participate in a post-screening Q&A. The post-apocalyptic thriller was primarily shot in Boulder and Golden, CO.

Vanity Fair’s Little Gold Men podcast, hosted by Richard Lawson and Rebecca Ford, will present a live recording of the podcast featuring an interview with “Excellence in Acting” recipient Marianne Jean-Baptiste following a screening of Hard Truths on November 9 at 1 p.m. at Denver Botanic Gardens.

Creative Conversations Added

Embodying The Character in Film

An actor’s vision in film acting is lived emotionally and physically. That kind of performance requires more than instinct- it needs interpretative intelligence and a mastery of physical, psychological, and emotional craft into performance.  Jean-Louis Rodrigue will lead a conversation to explore the skills and tools required for the extraordinary creation of characters and performances geared explicitly for the camera. Having collaborated with such film actors as Leonardo DiCaprio, Margot Robbie, Juliette Binoche, Josh Brolin, Chris Pine, Hilary Swank, and Helena Bonham Carter, to name a few, gives Jean-Louis a unique point of view of applying physicality to acting in film.  

November 8, 2 p.m., Sie FilmCenter

Contemporary Italian Cinema

Professors Irene Lottini (University of Iowa) and Roberta Waldbaum (University of Denver) will discuss contemporary Italian films and new trends in 21^st-century Italian cinema released in American theaters or presented at international film festivals, from big productions by renowned Italian directors to unique works by emerging filmmakers. 

November 6, 2 p.m., AMC CO 9+10

Rocky Mountain Reels: Climate Change in Colorado Cinema

Moderated by Colorado Public Radio’s Sam Brasch, join us for an insightful panel featuring local leaders as they explore the critical intersection of film and climate change. This panel will showcase Colorado-based filmmakers Kelly Sears, Dewi Sungai, and Jason Houston, alongside Jon Lipsky, a former FBI agent specializing in investigating environmental crimes. Together, they will share their insights on how employing narrative, documentary, and experimental lenses can shed light on this urgent issue. They will discuss the unique challenges that climate change poses to film production in Colorado as well as strategies for cultivating a greener film industry within the state. Attendees will learn how Coloradoans can engage in climate action through storytelling and community involvement while reflecting on the lasting effects of the historic Marshall Fire, the 2013 flood, and the Rocky Flats Plant on our environment and collective consciousness. This panel is included in the Festival’s Colorado Spotlight programming.

November 2, 1 p.m., AMC CO 9+10

“We’re excited to expand upon our already robust lineup of in-person guests and screenings with the addition of many more of the film industry’s top talents attending this year’s Festival,” said Denver Film Festival Artistic Director Matthew Campbell.

“The awards and conversations with the people behind the work provides our audiences with that unique opportunity to interact and experience the diversity of work and talents representing all aspects of the filmmaking industry. It’s that connection between the talent, both on screen and behind the camera, and their audiences that has always defined and made Denver Film Festival so special.”

The complete schedule of films, screening times and locations, as well as tickets to individual screenings, Special Presentations, Red Carpets, and events is available at https://www.denverfilm.org/denverfilmfestival/