Editor

30th Annual Breckenridge Festival of Film - June 10 - 13, 2010

BRECKENRIDGE, Colo. - May 1 - Established in 1981, the Breckenridge Festival of Film is one of the oldest film festivals in the country. The festival boasts an incredible Indie presence - perhaps taking a cue from the independent spirits of the miners and gold seekers who settled in Breckenridge in 1859 - 150 years ago. The Breckenridge Festival of Film returns Thursday, June 10 through Sunday, June 13, 2010 to celebrate the art of filmmaking. 

This year's event features 51 independent dramas, short dramas, comedies, short comedies, and documentary films. It also is a showcase for young high school student talent, an arena for gay and lesbian topics, and a focus on spiritual films. Independent filmmakers from all across the country and the world attend the four-day event.

In addition, the festival plays host to an impressive list of Hollywood premieres; past notables include KungFu Panda (2009 Academy Award winner for Best Animated Film), 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) and Babel (the 2006 Golden Globe winner and Academy Award nominee for Best Picture).

Each year, the Breckenridge Festival of Film is hosted by none other than Film Critic, 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 29 years, including Thomas Haden Church, Donald Sutherland, Jon Voight, Anna Sophia Robb, Michael York, Connie Nielsen, Eva Marie Saint, Alan Arkin, Lou Diamond Phillips, Jon Favreau, and the late Rod Steiger. 

In addition to independent films and premiere events, the Breckenridge Festival of Film features the University of Colorado (CU) Film Studies program. Each year, program professors screen a pair of related films and lead discussion on the productions themselves and on their significance - in relation to each other, to advances and trends in the technical or creative aspects of filmmaking and/or to the times and cultures in which they were produced. 

The festival also showcases Breckenridge, Colorado. This fascinating town, the largest historic district in Colorado, was established in 1859 as a Victorian mining town, recently celebrating its 150th anniversary. In addition to its rich history and mining culture, the town offers a wealth of outdoor recreation, shopping, and dining activities.  

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. Breckenridge Festival of Film movie tickets go even further this year as guests get two for the price of one ticket for any film before 6 p.m. Share with a friend or watch two movies before 6 p.m. for the price of one ticket. All tickets are available for purchase online at http://www.breckfilmfest.com/. 

Breckenridge Festival of Film lodging rates from ResortQuest Breckenridge start at $99 per room per night. Four "Punch Passes" are also available for $34.00. For lodging reservations and information call ResortQuest Breckenridge at 800-627-2973 and reference Code # INT BFF.

For more information about the 30th Annual Breckenridge Festival of Film visit http://www.breckfilmfest.com/ or call 970-453-6200.

The Breckenridge Festival of Film 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 90 miles west of Denver International Airport via Interstate 70.