Setting the stage for Pueblo’s first film festival
(PUEBLO, Colo.) — The Pueblo Film Festival is taking place this weekend, recognizing the hard work and talent in southern Colorado and beyond. The screenings and celebrations will take place at the Sangre de Cristo Arts Center, featuring live performances along with networking opportunities within the industry.
“I feel this is a big step for our film and arts, culture and community in Pueblo,” said Jason Muñoz, Pueblo Film Festival Board Member. “To really just branch out and step up and really just become a staple of our community here.”
First-ever Pueblo Film Festival arrives April 26-28
The Pueblo Film Festival showcases both nonfiction and fiction films, all of which are under 40 minutes in length. These entries came not only from southern Colorado but from all over the globe including Russia, the Netherlands, and Italy.
“Well, it’s a very unique, first of it’s kind event,” said Kristin Skye Hoffmann, Events and Venue Liaison for the Sangre de Cristo Arts Center. “Not only is it a collection of short films from across the country and world that you can see in blocks. There are two chances to see just about everything. We have two different screening rooms and beyond that will have a really fun awards ceremony and vendors from our community will have tables.”
Board members of the festival hope this weekend will serve as a reminder for the talented members in the southern Colorado community who go unnoticed behind the screen.
“I don’t know if everyone realizes how many really talented and creative people live in Pueblo,” Hoffmann said. “There are musicians and fine artists, sculptors, actors, writers, there’s a huge writing community. The thing about film is that it uses all of those things.”
The film festival also serves as an opportunity for guests to experience the Steel City, by trying a new bite to eat or walking along the River Walk for the first time.
“It excites me to know that so many people who have never been to Pueblo or maybe never even heard of Pueblo are going to be here and experience this wealth of environment that we have to offer,” said Muñoz.
Recently, the Pueblo Convention Center hosted the 2024 Pueblo Boxing International Invitational which was another opportunity for businesses to boom and the city to greet new visitors. The Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce commented on the greater impact events like these have on the area.
“It’s a huge economic impact for us because we are still a smaller community in a lot of ways, said Mandy Thacker, Community Development Coordinator for the Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce. “So bringing those larger events and especially like the nationwide events where people are coming from all over to experience Pueblo, we’re just getting the word out about our little diamond in the rough and hope it continues.”
Tickets are still available online to attend the film festival this weekend, serving as an opportunity to see the work of both local and international talent on the silver screen.
“We really believe that coming together this weekend, everything is coming into place, the pieces are falling in perfectly,” Muñoz said. “I’m really confident and optimistic that it’s going to continue on, that the film festival will continue on for years and years and years to come.”
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