Since 1981, the Breck Film Fest has brought this flagship event to the high-elevation town of Breckenridge. Ranked as a Top 20 Film Festival by USA Today and called “the filmmaker’s festival”, it features more than 100 films, premieres, forums, and parties.
This year’s indie movie festival is themed “More Film. Less Air.”. The 45th annual event happens from Thursday to Sunday, September 18th to 21st, 2025. The four-day event showcases over 80 films all by individual filmmakers – 40 of whom attend the festival. Leading industry guests from producers such as Pixar, Disney, and ReFramed Pictures regularly attend the festival.
“The Breck Film Festival is more than just a celebration of film; it’s an immersion into the beauty of Colorado’s autumn,” said Cynthia Gordon, President of Breck Film Board of Directors. “We are thrilled to welcome guests during this magical time in Breckenridge, where the vibrant colors of fall enhance the overall festival experience.”
It’s one of the longest-running film festivals in the United States. More than 2,500 guests attend the movie screenings with the help of over 250 enthusiastic volunteers. Over the years, it has helped develop the Summit County culture and arts scene.
Film is everything. It is writing, editing, photography, drawing, acting, music — excellence in all art forms is what makes an excellent film. Supporting film is supporting all forms of art. — Janice Miller, Former Executive Director
The Breck Film Fest has partnerships with major studios, making the event all the more famous. A High School Program invites select young filmmakers to premiere their films, while the Children’s Program provides interactive activities for kids.
2025 Festival Headline Films
Opening Night Film: The Best You Can (Comedy)
Thursday, September 18, Riverwalk Center
The festival kicks off with a special Opening Night screening of The Best You Can, starring Kevin Bacon, Kyra Sedgwick, and two-time Oscar nominee Judd Hirsch. This comedy follows Stan Olszewski (Bacon), a sharp but underachieving security guard, who foils an attempted robbery at the home of Cynthia Rand (Sedgwick), a successful urologist married to Warren Rand (Hirsch), a former Watergate prosecutor. What begins as a chance encounter soon evolves into an unlikely and dynamic friendship that changes both their lives in unexpected ways.
Friday Night: Rebuilding (Drama)
Friday, September 19, Riverwalk Center
On Friday evening, festivalgoers will enjoy Rebuilding, a beautifully humanistic drama from Max Walker-Silverman (A Love Song). The film tells the story of Dusty (Josh O’Connor), a reserved, divorced father who loses his ranch in a devastating wildfire. Now living in a government-run campsite, Dusty begins to rebuild his life while reconnecting with his ex-wife Ruby (Meghann Fahy) and young daughter Callie-Rose (Lily LaTorre). Filmed in the breathtaking San Luis Valley, Rebuilding offers a moving portrait of resilience and human connection in the wake of loss.
Saturday Adventure Reel:
Saturday, September 20, Riverwalk Center
This special reel features two films centered on adventure and resilience:
- Moving Line (Documentary): The story of the first ski-crossing of Colorado, undertaken by three amateur skiers from Boulder. Along the way, they uncover not just a historic route, but a deeper connection to art and creativity.
- Kai Jones: Falling Into Place (Adventure): A powerful documentary about teenage skier Kai Jones, who shattered both legs in a horrific cliff fall. The film follows his incredible fight for survival and the resilience required to overcome life-threatening injuries.
Film screenings occur at various locations around town and in the Breckenridge Arts District, including The Eclipse Theatre. Other venues include the Riverwalk Center and the Breckenridge Theater. Enjoy the ambiance of the Blue River and autumn among the aspen groves.
Need a place to stay? Read about the best hotels in Breckenridge.
Details
Address: Downtown Breckenridge, CO 80424
Phone: 970-453-6200
Date: Thursday-Sunday, September 18-21, 2025
Website: breckfilm.org/festival