Greetings Friends of Aspen Film,

We have a lot going on here at Aspen Film, and our education programming is ramping up in anticipation of the 32nd Annual Aspen FIlm Shortsfest, April 10 - 16. There are a variety of ways that teachers and students can get involved, both in person and online, and all of our programming during Shortsfest is FREE of charge.

New this year is the Voices in Film Youth Forum which incorporates a wide variety of youth-focused programming and events during Shortsfest. The Forum is an umbrella over key educational programs: Making Movies Matter, Filmmakers to the Classroom, Young Filmmaker Labs, Students to the Festival, and Youth Jury. Teachers can sign up to participate in educational programming during Shortsfest by filling out this form on or before March 25th: Shortsfest 2023 Aspen FilmEducates Educator Interest Form

We want to give special thanks to the Addy Foundation, Alpine Bank, Art Base, AspenOut, Aspen District Theatre, the Dolby Institute, Clark’s Market, Colorado Film School, Colorado Mountain College, The Ellen Fund, Colorado Office of Film, Media + Television, Red Brick Center for the Arts, Rotary of Aspen, the Wheeler Arts Grant, and individual donors for supporting our educational initiatives.

As always, please reach out to Regna Frank-Jones at [email protected] if you have questions or want to get involved. 

Warmly,
The Aspen Film Team

Shortsfest Educational Programs

Student Film Program + Youth Forum Kickoff Event
Monday 4/10
LIVE Broadcast | Q+A to follow with filmmakers
Free in-person + online
To launch this year’s inaugural Voices in Film Youth Forum, the week kicks off with a special in-school event at the Aspen District Theatre featuring a selection of this year’s festival films. The interactive program is hosted by youth with a filmmaker Q+A following the films. The event is broadcast live so that students and teachers who cannot attend in person may participate remotely.

Making Movies Matter
Monday 4/10 - Friday 4/28
Free online
Aspen Film provides films and themed shorts packages (e.g. immigration, the environment, creative storytelling) to enrich curricula in language, visual arts, history, world geography, LGBTQ+ issues, and the social sciences. Films are available online for educators to use in their classrooms at their convenience.

Filmmakers to the Classroom
Monday 4/10 - Friday 4/14
Free with advance scheduling
Filmmakers from around the globe visit schools from Aspen to Glenwood Springs to share their films, culture, and creative process in classroom and auditorium settings. This program is by special arrangement in advance.

Students to the Festival
Monday 4/10 - Sunday 4/16 at the Wheeler Opera House, Aspen
Free for teachers + students
Students and teachers receive free admission to public programs during Shortsfest. Complimentary tickets for students are secured by showing a current student ID at the box office. Teachers with groups of students may reserve tickets by emailing [email protected].

Aspen Film’s Independent By Nature :32 Video Challenge

Submissions open through April 2
All ages may submit to win a top PRIZE
Free online

In 32 seconds, show us how you are Independent by Nature! The way you express yourself as independent and free — how you move, what you think, how you feel.  Keep it authentic, appropriate, and applicable to the spirit of the challenge. All ages are welcome to submit. Keep it authentic, appropriate, and applicable to the spirit of the challenge. All ages are welcome to submit.

Videos are collected through April 2 using the hashtags #independentbynature2023 and by tagging @aspenfilm on Instagram, TikTok or Facebook or by submitting via email. A compilation reel of the videos, chosen by Aspen Film staff and a committee of students, will be shared on Aspen Film’s social channels and voted on during Aspen Shortsfest (April 10 - 16).

- First place – CANON M50MKII Camera Kit, THINK TANK SpeedTop 15 shoulder bag, $100 THINK TANK online store credit

- Second place – $75 THINK TANK online store credit

- Third place – $50 THINK TANK online store credit

Link here for challenge Guidelines

In Celebration of Women’s History Month

Aspen Film is pleased to have another opportunity for educators and  students to watch and discuss a critically-acclaimed and Oscar®-nominated documentary from National Geographic.

Fire Of Love (2022)

(runtime is 98 minutes)

Limited Time Only!

Screen through March 17^th

Watch with a small group or join together to create a screening party for multiple classes or for the whole school. If you are an educator and want to screen the film with students, please contact Roger Ramos at [email protected], and he will send you the screening link and password along with discussion materials to accompany the film.

Film Camp Registration opens March 13^th

Calling all young filmmakers! Summer Film Camp is coming to Aspen and Basalt. This is a teenager’s chance to join fellow aspiring documentarians and animators for an immersive dive into the world of filmmaking. During each camp, students will collaborate with each other, switching roles and gaining valuable hands-on experience, as they craft a short film. Aspen Film partners with the Colorado Film School to provide experienced educators to teach the camps. The staff to camper ratio is less than 1:5 to ensure each participant gets individual attention.

Animation Film Camp
Aspen Film at the Red Brick Center for the Arts, Aspen
ONE WEEK — July 10 - 14
Time (9:30 AM - 3:30 PM) bring lunch / snacks provided 
Tuition: $470 (scholarships available) 
This one-week, full-day, immersive camp is designed for teens who are curious and serious about learning to express themselves through animated storytelling, as well as to experience what it’s like to be part of a creative team. Each camper is involved in every step of the process, from storyboarding to editing.

ROC Doc Film Camp
Aspen Film at the Art Base, Basalt
Two Weeks — July 24- 28; July 31 - August 4
 (must attend both weeks)
Time: (9:30 AM - 3:30 PM) bring lunch / snacks provided
Tuition: $940 (scholarships available)
ROC DOC Film Camp is a collaboration between Aspen Film, the Art Base, and the Roaring Fork Rock-n-Roll Academy. Film students will create a music documentary that follows their peers who are enrolled in the academy. Week one focuses on getting to know each other, learning the foundations of storyboarding and filmmaking, learning about equipment, filming and interviews at the academy. This week culminates in a field trip to Carbondale’s Mountain Fair to film the band on stage (optional). Week two focuses on editing, sound design and mixing, getting additional b-roll, and creating the final film. Friends and family are invited to view the fruits of the teens’ labor at a special public screening event, followed by a Q&A with the newly minted filmmakers. Drop-off and pick-up will be at the Art Base in Basalt. Additional public bus transportation (Basalt Connect) will be used between the art center and the Rock-n-roll Academy in Willits.

Aspen Film’s Film Camps are a collaboration between Aspen Film, the ArtBase, Colorado Film School, and the Red Brick Center for the Arts. Support comes from Addy Foundation, Colorado Creative Industries, the Wheeler Arts Grant, and the generosity of  individual donors.