Durango Independent Film Festival
Join us along the Animas River - at the confluence of films, filmmakers and community - where stories make the DIFFerence.
March 5 – 9, 2025
Durango Independent Film Festival Passes
Celebrating 20 Years: March 5-9, 2025
Durango, Colorado
Browse Our
Schedule | Film Guide
Events, Parties, and Panels
WEDNESDAY
4:00-6:00pm | FESTIVAL KICKOFF AND SPONSOR PARTY |
Animas Chocolate & Coffee Co. | Tier One Passholders ONLY
6:30 and 7:00pm | FREE MOVIE NIGHT! |
The Durango Arts Center and Gaslight Twin Cinema | Public Welcome
Sponsored by The Durango Herald
THURSDAY
8:30am | COFFEE TALK | EsoTerra Ciderworks | Public Welcome
5:30-7:30pm | FOUR CORNERS FILM OFFICE PARTY | EsoTerra Ciderworks | Public Welcome
FRIDAY
8:30am | COFFEE TALK | EsoTerra Ciderworks | Public Welcome
6:00-8:00pm | MEET THE FILMMAKERS PARTY | Black Heron Lounge | Public Welcome
SATURDAY
8:30am | COFFEE TALK | EsoTerra Ciderworks | Public Welcome
10:00am | FILMMAKER PANEL: IT STARTS WITH A STORY | Black Heron Lounge | FREE Public Welcome
11:30am | FILMMAKER PANEL: CRAFTING CHARACTERS IN TRUTH AND FICTION | Black Heron Lounge | FREE Public Welcome
8pm | AWARDS GALA | Public House 701 | Tier One Passholders ONLY
SUNDAY
11:00am | FILMMAKER PANEL: MOSTLY TRUE STORIES FROM PRODUCTION’S FRONTLINES | Black Heron Lounge | FREE Public Welcome
2:30pm | NATIVE LENS RECEPTION | Sorrel Sky Gallery
Durango Independent Film Festival
We Celebrate All Genres of Independent Film
Please help us celebrate our 20th Anniversary Durango Independent Film Festival (DIFF) from March 5–9, 2025 in Durango, Colorado.
DIFF boasts a reputation as a “Filmmaker’s Festival.” We champion the art of independent filmmaking as we showcase films in the best possible way: with the active engagement of our film-fanatic community combined with the warm hospitality of our beloved southwest Colorado town.
DIFF welcomes all genres of independent film – adventure, music, nature, comedy, shorts, documentaries, Native cinema, feature films – and offers many opportunities for networking among filmmakers and festival attendees.
Festivalgoers will enjoy films at two downtown venues (3 screens) located within an easy walking distance to restaurants, shops, and lodging – hosted at The Durango Arts Center and the Gaslight Twin Cinemas.
In addition to film screenings, festival attendees are invited to attend panels, workshops, coffee talks with filmmakers, nightly parties, and our Gala Awards presentation. The Awards ceremony is “Durango Black Tie” – which means pretty much anything goes!
Browse Our
Schedule | Film Guide
Notes From the Director's Chair:
“As DIFF is about to celebrate our 20th Anniversary, we are more excited than ever about sharing films and creating opportunities in our region. This year, we are inviting new genres and platforms to submit to DIFF – including content creators – arguably the future of the international filmmaking industry. Short, long, animated, dramatic, comedic, adventure are all warmly welcomed here where filmmakers make the DIFFerence. We’ve also just launched a new 4 Corners Film Office website to attract producers to film in our area and to let local professionals promote their skills. As we enter our third decade, we feel like we are just getting started! Join us. We’re saving a seat for you!”
Carol L. Fleisher
Executive Director