Breckenridge Festival of Film

Media Information/Press Releases

Members of the media seeking credentials for festival attendance should contact Emily McCormack at Hula Communications, emily@hulacommunications.com or 970-331-6145 by Friday, May 30 for consideration.

2008 Festival

BRECKENRIDGE, Colo. – May 27 – The Breckenridge Festival of Film is pleased to announce 8 premieres and 60 independent films slated for this year’s event, including The Children of Huang Shi, Kung Fu Panda, and Crazy. Joining a host of industry executives, filmmakers and the general public are actor Thomas Haden Church (Smart People & Sideways) and acclaimed director Roger Spottiswoode. The Breckenridge Film Festival takes place June 5-8, 2008 at a variety of locations in and around Breckenridge.

Kung Fu Panda (Showtime: June 5, 4pm) When threatened by a gang of snow leopards, the jungle animals call upon an inept panda to become a kung fu master and save the Valley of Paradise. This film is animated. Starring (the voices of): Jack Black (as “Po” the Kung Fu Panda), Dustin Hoffman (as The Master, “Shifu”), Angelina Jolie (as “Tigress”), Jackie Chan (as “Monkey”), Seth Rogen (as “Mantis”), Lucy Liu (as “Viper”), David Cross (as “Crane”) and Ian McShane (as “Tai Lung”). Directed by: Mark Osborne and John Stevenson. For more information visit www.kungfupanda.com.

Children of Huang Shi (June 5, 7pm) Inspired by true events, The Children of Huang Shi is a portrayal of people who, thrown into an unexpected and desperate situation, discover their capacity for love and responsibility. The film tells of how Englishman George Hogg (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) comes to lead sixty orphaned boys on an extraordinary journey of almost a thousand perilous miles across the snowbound Liu Pan Shan mountains to safety on the edge of the Mongolian Desert. Director Roger Spottiswoode will be in attendance and will do a short Q & A after the Film.

Finding Amanda (June 6, 3pm) A television producer (played by Matthew Broderick) with alcohol and gambling addictions attempts to coax his hooker niece (played by Brittany Snow) into rehab. Directed by: Peter Tolan.

Trumbo (June 6, 6pm) Based on the play Trumbo about Oscar-winning screenwriter Dalton Trumbo, and written by his son Christopher. Trumbo was one of Hollywood's highest paid screenwriters until he was blacklisted in 1947 after standing up to the House Un-American Activities Committee and was thrown into prison as one of the infamous Hollywood Ten. Afterward, he wrote several scripts under pseudonyms including The Brave One (for which he won an Academy Award under the name Robert Rich), Roman Holiday, and Spartacus, before he was re-instated into the Writers Guild in 1960.

Boy A (June 6, 9pm) From the multi-award winning novel of the same title by Jonathan Trigell: Jack (Andrew Garfield) is released from prison, finally, at the age of 24; having been institutionalized for most of his life. He and another boy murdered a child when they were themselves children. The film follows Jack's attempts to readjust to the world outside of confinement and restart a life that never really got going. Under the fatherly mentor-ship of Terry (Peter Mullan), his parole contact and social worker, he experiences a coming of age, which would normally have happened years ago. But forces from the past are constantly upon him, as we learn more about the events leading up to the crime, which has ruined so many lives.

Smart People (June 7, 6pm) Sometimes the smartest people have the most to learn. Into the life of a widowed professor comes a new love and an unexpected visit from his adopted brother. Thomas Haden Church will be in attendance to do a short Q&A after the film hosted by Jeffrey Lyons.

Wackness (June 7, 9pm) It's the summer of 1994, and the streets of New York are pulsing with hip hop and wafting with the sweet aroma of marijuana. The newly-inaugurated mayor, Rudolph Giuliani, is only beginning to implement his anti-fun initiatives against crimes like noisy portable radios, graffiti and public drunkenness. TheWackness centers upon a troubled high school student named Luke Shapiro (Josh Peck), a teenage pot dealer who forms a friendship with Dr. Jeffrey Squires (Ben Kingsley), a psychiatrist and kindred lost soul. When the doctor proposes Luke trade him weed for therapy sessions, the two begin to explore both New York City and their own depression.

When Did You Last See Your Father? (June 8, 6pm) Blake Morrison's moving and candid memoir of his father in the weeks leading up to his death. When Arthur Morrison was diagnosed with terminal cancer he had only a few weeks left to live. Morrison traveled to Yorkshire to stay with his mother in the village where he grew up. He visited his father at the hospital where he had spent so much time with his own patients as a GP. As his father's condition worsened Morrison contemplated their shared experiences, the intimacies and the irritations of their relationship. After his father's death Morrison questions the nature of the bond between them, articulately expressing the contradictions, frustrations, love and loss bound into the complicated relationships which most of us have with our parents as we grow up.

These films will accompany over 60 independent films, including works showcasing gay and lesbian topics, a range of spiritual areas, and Latin films and filmmakers, including Crazy – a documentary inspired by the life of legendary guitarist Hank Garland, Rabia, El Pasajero, Strong Coffee, The Big Question, Marionette, Freeheld, The Flyboys – an excellent family film, and Struck starring Jenna Elfman and Kelly Preston. For a full list of documentary films showing at the Breckenridge Film Festival visit www.breckfilmfest.com.

Past Breckenridge Film Fest premieres include La Vie en Rose (featuring actress Marion Cotillard, winner of the 2008 Academy Award for Best Actress, and winner of the 2008 Golden Globe award for Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy), Rescue Dawn, Surf’s Up (2008 Academy Award nominee for Best Animated Film), Babel (the 2006 Golden Globe winner and Academy Award nominee for Best Picture), The Shawshank Redemption, L.A. Confidential, American Beauty, Lost in Translation, Frida, The Joy Luck Club, and Like Water for Chocolate.

The Breckenridge Film Festival is hosted by WNBC-TV Film Critic and “Reel Talk” co-host Jeffrey Lyons, along with his son Ben Lyons, the E! Network Daily Top 10’s film critic. More than 80 Hollywood luminaries have appeared in Breckenridge over the past 27 years, including Donald Sutherland, Jon Voight, Michael York, Connie Nielsen, Eva Marie Saint, Alan Arkin, Lou Diamond Phillips, Jon Favreau and the late Rod Steiger.

This year’s honored guests, actor Thomas Haden Church - who is an Emmy award winner for Best Supporting Actor in Broken Trail, and nominated for an Oscar for Best Supporting Role in Sideways; and director Roger Spottiswoode – who’s film The Children of Huang Shi will premiere on opening night. Both will participate in showings and panel discussions during the festival.

In addition to film showings and premiere events, the Breck Film Fest features the University of Colorado (CU) Film Studies program, free forums – including topics such as “how to get into films” – and panels led by celebrities and filmmakers, as well as a High School Films Program presented by participants from Summit High School and Denver School of the Arts.

The festival also showcases Breckenridge, Colo. This fascinating town, the largest historic district in Colorado, was established in 1859 as a Victorian mining town. The town also offers a wealth of outdoor recreation, shopping and dining activities. Breckenridge is located 80 miles west of Denver International Airport via Interstate 70.

Prices for the event range from $10 for individual tickets, to $199 for an all-access pass, making the festival – including premieres – a very affordable option. Tickets are available for purchase online at www.breckfilmfest.com.

Breckenridge Film Fest lodging rates from ResortQuest Breckenridge start at $95 per room per night based upon double occupancy. ResortQuest Breckenridge is also offering a VIP Film Festival package, including lodging at Blue Sky for $191 per room per night based upon double occupancy. The VIP package also allows guests to add a Peak 10 all-access festival pass for and additional $175 per person. For lodging reservations and information call ResortQuest Breckenridge at 800-627-2973 and reference Code # DIRBFF.

For more information about the 28 th Annual Breckenridge Film Festival visit www.breckfilmfest.com or call 970-453-6200.

Schedule is subject to change. Visit the website for the most up to date information.

BRECKENRIDGE, Colo. – Apr. 25 – With just over a month left until show time, the Breckenridge Film Festival is pleased to announce its first two premieres scheduled to debut at this year’s event, which takes place June 5 – 8, 2008. Guests to the 28 th annual Breck Film Fest will be the first in the U.S. and among the first in the world to see the films Finding Amanda and Kung Fu Panda.

Synopsis: A television producer with alcohol and gambling addictions attempts to coax his hooker niece into rehab. Starring: Matthew Broderick (as Taylor Peters) and Brittany Snow (as Amanda). Directed by: Peter Tolan. For more information visit www.imdb.com and type the film name into the search area.

Synopsis: When threatened by a gang of snow leopards, the jungle animals call upon an inept panda to become a kung fu master and save the Valley of Paradise. This film is animated. Starring (the voices of): Jack Black (as “Po” the Kung Fu Panda), Dustin Hoffman (as The Master, “Shifu”), Angelina Jolie (as “Tigress”), Jackie Chan (as “Monkey”), Seth Rogen (as “Mantis”), Lucy Liu (as “Viper”), David Cross (as “Crane”) and Ian McShane (as “Tai Lung”). Directed by: Mark Osborne and John Stevenson. For more information visit www.kungfupanda.com. The Breckenridge Film Festival will premiere Kung Fu Panda on Thursday, June 5 at the Summit High School Theater at

These films, the first to be announced by the festival’s jury committee, will accompany up to 10 additional premieres and over 50 independent films, including works showcasing gay and lesbian topics, a range of spiritual areas, and Latin films and filmmakers. The festival’s premiere of Kung Fu Panda marks the second family-friendly feature film to debut in Breckenridge; the acclaimed film Surf’s Up premiered at last year’s event. Additional premieres and a full list of documentary films will be announced as selections are finalized.

Past Breck Film Fest premieres include La Vie en Rose (featuring actress Marion Cotillard, winner of the 2008 Acadamy Award for Best Actress, and winner of the 2008 Golden Globe award for Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy), Rescue Dawn, Surf’s Up (2008 Academy Award nominee for Best Animated Film), Babel (the 2006 Golden Globe winner and Academy Award nominee for Best Picture), The Shawshank Redemption, L.A. Confidential, American Beauty, Lost in Translation, Frida, The Joy Luck Club, and Like Water for Chocolate.

In addition to showings and premiere events, the Breck Film Fest features the University of Colorado (CU) Film Studies program, free forums – including topics such as children in films – and presentations by a host of notable industry experts, as well as a High School Films Program presented by participants from Summit High School and Denver School of the Arts.

Breckenridge Film Fest lodging rates from ResortQuest Breckenridge start at $91 per room per night based upon double occupancy. ResortQuest Breckenridge is also offering a VIP Film Festival package, including lodging at Blue Sky for $191 per room per night based upon double occupancy. The VIP package also allows guests to add a Peak 10 all-access festival pass for and additional $175 per person. For lodging reservations and information call ResortQuest Breckenridge at 800-627-2973 and reference Code # DIRBFF.

Jeffrey Lyons, NBC Film Critic/Co-Host, NBC's "Reel Talk" has begun his selection of Premieres for the Festival! Finding Amanda starring Jenni Blong & Matthew Broderick, is first to be a part of the 2008 line-up. Each year Jeffrey selects between 7-10 box office hits to be shown, so keep checking for the next one.

March 27, 2008 -

This year, BFF is very excited to be able to show a nother outstanding Children's Premiere and kick-off the Festival! Ben Lyons "E" Entertainment will host the animated movie, Kung FuPanda, (link to IMDB) Thursday, June 5th at 4 p.m. for all audiences at the Summit High School. Ticket price is only $5.00. Bring your entire family for this great afternoon premiere! Kung Fu Panda features the voice of Jack Black as "Po" the Panda and also features the voices of Jackie Chan, Dustin Hoffman, Lucy Liu, Ian McShane and Angelina Jolie! Kung Fu Panda opens in theaters nationwide on June 6th.

March 20, 2008 -

The Festival Volunteer Party will be held Thursday, May 29th at Fatty's Pizzeria in Breckenridge from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. Fatty's is located at 106 S. Ridge Street. To RSVP for the party, email info@breckfilmfest.com or call 970-453-6200. The volunteer party is open to anyone who is a volunteer or who would like to sign up as a volunteer for this year's Festival.

Many sponsorship opportunities are available for this year's Festival. There are still $500.00 Independent Film sponsorships available to call your own or perhaps you'd like to sponsor a Premiere for $1000.00. It is an exciting opportunity for you or your company to become involved and a chance to meet and greet everyone at your very own venue! To find out how to become a sponsor, you can either call the office (970) 453-6200 or email info@breckfilmfest.com.

February 20, 2008 -

BRECKENRIDGE, Colo. – Feb. 20 – A town with a past, a history of outstanding premieres, and 28 years of transforming Main Street into Hollywood Boulevard; the Breckenridge Film Fest returns to its picture-perfect setting Thursday, June 5 through Sunday, June 8, 2008. Features include over 50 independent films, a host of Hollywood premieres – past notables include La Vie en Rose (featuring actress Marion Cotillard, winner of the 2008 Golden Globe award for Best Actress in a musical or comedy and nominee for the 2008 Acadamy Awards for Best Actress), Rescue Dawn, Surf’s Up (2008 Academy Award nominee for Best Animated Film), Babel (the 2006 Golden Globe winner and Academy Award nominee for Best Picture), The Shawshank Redemption, L.A. Confidential, American Beauty, Lost in Translation, Frida, The Joy Luck Club, Like Water for Chocolate – a showcase for young student talent, an arena for gay and lesbian topics, a focus on spiritual films, and the introduction of a Latin films category this year.

“For each of the past 27 years, the Breckenridge Film Fest has made a commitment to highlight award-winning premieres, innovative independent films, forums, intriguing yet sometimes controversial topics, learning opportunities and fun events in an idyllic setting,” said Dawna Foxx, Breckenridge Film Fest executive director. “The relaxed atmosphere found at this festival offers a rare opportunity for filmmakers, filmgoers and industry guests to meet and interact.”

Each year, the Breck Film Fest is hosted by none other than WNBC-TV Film Critic and “Reel Talk” co-host Jeffrey Lyons, along with his son Ben Lyons, the E! Network Daily Top 10’s film critic. More than 80 Hollywood luminaries have appeared in Breckenridge over the past 27 years, including Donald Sutherland, Jon Voight, Michael York, Connie Nielsen, Eva Marie Saint, Alan Arkin, Lou Diamond Phillips, Jon Favreau and the late Rod Steiger.

“The appearances – and the premieres – are always a surprise as these films are announced at the very last minute,” added Foxx. “The anticipation becomes a huge part of the excitement surrounding the festival. Those who have joined us over the years know they’ll be among the first to see the season’s best films.”

The Breckenridge Film Festival’s call for entries is currently open and all films must be submitted for consideration by March 30, 2008. To enter a film for festival consideration, visit www.breckfilmfest.com for details.

The Breckenridge Film Fest is a 501(c)(3) private, non-profit organization governed by a volunteer board of directors. Funding for the festival comes from local public and private grants, sponsorships, fundraising events, individual contributions, in-kind assistance, and revenue from tickets and merchandise. More than 150 individual volunteers, four local theaters and other venues are involved in this annual event. Breckenridge is located 80 miles west of Denver International Airport via Interstate 70.

Prices for the event range from $10 for individual tickets, to $199 for an all-access pass, making the festival – including premieres – a very affordable option. All tickets are available for purchase online at www.breckfilmfest.com.

For more information about the 28 th Annual Breckenridge Film Festival visit www.breckfilmfest.com or call 970-453-6200.