Vail's Annual Film Festival Returns with Pizzazz and Paparazzi

The Vail Film Festival has been luring Vail residents and guests to the movies for nine years to view what could be the next great hit. This year’s festival, presented by Cadillac, takes place March 29 – April 1.

Gaining in national attention, the VFF events are held at various locations throughout the Town of Vail including CineBistro Theater at Solaris and Vail Mountain School.  Past guests and honorees at the Vail Film Festival include Josh Lucas, Kate Bosworth, Michael Imperioli, Zach Braff, Jane Seymour, Adrian Grenier, Olivia Wilde, Sophia Bush, William Forsythe, Harold Ramis, and Jesse Eisenberg.

If you haven’t rented your hotel room for the Vail Film Festival, BOOK NOW!

Thursday – March 29
Get a few runs in before the Festival starts at NOON today with the Cadillac Short Series. The U.S. premiere of “The Eye of the Storm,” directed by this year’s Vanguard Award recipient director Fred Schepisi, will be held at 7:30 pm at Vail Mountain School. Starring Geoffrey Rush, Charlotte Rampling and Judy Davis, the film is a savage exploration of the family relationships — the love, the hate, the comedy and the tragic. The Festival’s Opening Night party follows in Vail Village.

Friday – March 30
At 11:00 am, film screenings at locations throughout Vail Village will occur including the Cadillac Short Series at Solaris Plaza in Vail. The Stella Artois Filmmaker Reception takes place from 4:30 - 6:00 pm. Enjoy the Friday Night Film “6 Month Rule” with indie filmmaker Blayne Weaver, who also plays a starring role in the film, alongside Martin Starr, Jamie Pressly and Natalie Morales.

Musicians Sara Bareilles (three-time Grammy nominee, celebrity judge on NBC’s, “The Sing Off”), Cary Brothers (best known for “Blue Eyes” from the Grammy-winning “Garden State” soundtrack), Greg Laswell, Javier Dunn, Buddy, and Harper Blynn will blow you away at the Friday Night Concert! Tickets are $25 per person, or included with the Patron, Prima, and Avanti passes.

Saturday – March 31
Screenplay readings of comedies “The Wright Stuff” and “The Department of Signs and Magical Interventions” begin early at 10:30 am.  Film screenings will again take place from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm and include three spectacular documentaries: “Andrew Bird: Fevered Year”, “Singleton: from the earth,” and “High Ground.”

The long awaited Closing Night Film and Festival Awards Ceremony will be held at Vail Mountain School from 6:30 – 7:15, and showcase the Vanguard Award to Fred Schepisi, and the Excellence in Acting Award to Krysten Ritter. The closing night film, “Life Happens,” is a comedy about the trials and tribulations of three single roommates living in Los Angeles. The film starts Krysten Ritter, Kate Bosworth and Rachel Bilson. The Closing Night Party will be held at 10:00 pm in Vail Village.

Sunday – April 1
On the Festival’s official closing day, you can still see several films. At 10:00 am catch the “Shorts3” series one last time. Screenings will continue from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm, as will the Cadillac Short Series in Solaris Plaza, concluding at 4:00.

Vail Film Festival pass holders can enjoy ½ price ice skating at the outdoor rink, Skate, in Solaris Plaza from 3:00 – 9:00. Show the attendant your Festival Pass and pick your skates up between 3:00 and 4:00. Warm up by one of the many outdoor firepits at Solaris and sip a steaming cup of hot chocolate, compliments of Cadillac.

There are some incredible options to choose from, certainly once will be the perfect fit for you. Visit www.vailfilmfestival.com for more information or to purchase tickets.

We look forward to seeing you soon at Lionshead Inn, located only 500 feet from the Gondola at the base of Vail Mountain.  Walk or take the free in-town transportation out your door to all VFF locations and events. Call 1-800-283-VAIL to book your reservation or book online.