Authors, Artists, Community Events and Everything in Between at Mountainfilm 2026

Telluride, Colorado (May 12, 2026) — Mountainfilm recently announced its complete programming lineup for the 48th annual festival, taking place Memorial Day Weekend, May 21–25, 2026 in Telluride, Colorado. Alongside an expansive slate of leading documentary films, the festival will feature speakers, artists, authors, outdoor experiences and community events throughout the weekend. Festival passholders can look forward to a full slate of programs and events, with select free programming open to all throughout the weekend. Don't have a pass yet? Purchase one today.

COMMUNITY EVENTS & PARTIES

Mountainfilm's nonprofit partners host two festival parties. On Thursday from 8–11 PM, Woodwell Climate Research Center kicks off the weekend at Smugglers Brew Pub, celebrating 41 years of collaborative research and education to combat climate change. On Saturday from 7:30–9:30 PM, The Nature Conservancy in Colorado gathers at The Last Dollar Saloon for drinks, snacks and a celebration of science-based conservation work.

The Alibi will host two community meet-ups. On Friday from 5:30–7 PM, BIPOC filmmakers, festival guests and allies are invited to an evening of connection and networking hosted in partnership with Firelight Media, Mountain Media Arts Collective and Color Vérité, with DJ DAGHE spinning. On Saturday from 5:30–7 PM, LGBTQ+ filmmakers, festival guests and allies are welcomed to a similar gathering, hosted in partnership with TelluPride and Ouray County Pride, with DJ Leaux on the decks.

Mountainfilm's Presenting Sponsor The North Face returns with its annual Happy Hour on Saturday and Sunday from 3–5 PM in Elks Park, featuring live performances and athlete conversations. The weekend closes with the Mountainfilm Dance Party on Sunday at 8 PM at The Alibi, featuring DJ DAGHE and Goth Babe. The Sunday night party is open to passholders only.

OUTDOOR EXPERIENCES

Beginning on Friday, The North Face hosts its annual Free Range programs through the weekend, based in Elks Park. These sessions include climbing, hiking and a mountain bike ride with participants from Best Day Ever, along with a refreshing cold plunge in the San Miguel River inspired by fine artist and Mountainfilm award maker R. Nelson Parrish's decade-long practice of Misogi. On Saturday evening at 9 PM, author and storyteller Craig Childs hosts a dark sky storytelling session under the stars in Elks Park.

ART

Mountainfilm's art programming returns, in partnership with Telluride Arts. On Wednesday from 7–9 PM, Twenty(by)Telluride takes the stage at The Alibi, featuring five creatives: Aaron Huey, Max Romey, Morgan Heim, Sav Rodgers and Angela Hawse, each presenting 20 slides, shown for 20 seconds.

The annual Art Walk on Friday from 4–7 PM will showcase photographers, activists and artists at Telluride Arts, Fringe Gallery, Ah Haa School for the Arts and Telco, which features this year's mural artist Ami Vitale. Festival awards will also be on display at Fringe Gallery.

FEATURED ARTISTS

Cristina Mittermeier — Fringe Gallery: Mountainfilm's 2026 guest director presents "Hope," a quiet act of devotion rooted in decades spent listening to wild places. Mittermeier's images don't shout; they invite. The body of work transcends documentation to become a meditation on belonging, reciprocity and our shared breath with the living world.

Max Romey — Ah Haa School for the Arts: Mountainfilm's 2026 poster artist and filmmaker presents "Together We Are," an interactive multimedia exhibition. Romey has created a series of tiny paintings that embrace the personalities, people and ethos of Mountainfilm. Visitors are invited to add their own tiny paintings to a growing grid, culminating in a giant interactive mosaic of the festival.

John Colette Portal Experience — Telluride Science & Innovation Center: "Portal" is a location-based arboreal projection that explores the transformation of existing space with light. On the back patio Friday, Saturday and Sunday at nightfall, 8:30–10 PM.

Lindsay Branham VR Experience — Telluride Arts: "Ocean Keepers," narrated by Meryl Streep, follows a manatee named Kat in the turquoise waters off Belize as conservationist Jaimilee Cruz and rescue specialist Jamal Galves, supported by The Nature Conservancy, work through sleepless nights to bring her back from the edge. Open Friday 4–7 PM, and Saturday and Sunday 11 AM–4 PM.

The Nature of Hope — Telluride Arts: "The Nature of Hope: A Celebration of Jane Goodall and the Women She Inspired" honors generations of women photographers who carry Goodall's legacy forward. At its heart are iconic images by leading women photographers, including a rare self-portrait by Goodall herself. Originally created and curated by Ami Vitale, the exhibition brought together 90 women photographers to celebrate Goodall's 90th birthday.

Ami Vitale — Telco: National Geographic Explorer at Large Ami Vitale presents "Well," photographed in the arid landscape of Rajasthan, India. The mural depicts an ancient stepwell that once sustained entire villages, a powerful symbol of a vanishing way of life. As climate change reshapes water availability and wells dry up, the burden of traveling longer distances to collect water falls largely on women.

AUTHORS & BOOK SIGNINGS

Book signings are held on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday at various venues.

The annual Town Read takes place Thursday from 5:30–7 PM at the Wilkinson Public Library, featuring Bridget Crocker in conversation about her book The River's Daughter.

On Friday at 1:15 PM, following the Minds Moving Mountains Symposium, Mountainfilm's Guest Director Cristina Mittermeier signs copies of Hope at the Madeline Hotel during a social hour. She'll also sign at Fringe Gallery on Sunday at 5 PM.

Following Coffee Talks on Saturday and Sunday, Mountainfilm partners with Between the Covers Bookstore to host author signings at venues across town. Participating authors include Joanna Croston, Lindsay Branham, Bridget Crocker, Shannon Nering, Miriam Horn, Dillon Osleger, Kevin Fedarko and Pete McBride.

ADDITIONAL FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS

The Base Camp Theater in Telluride Town Park screens free outdoor films nightly at 8:45 PM and is open to the public. Other festival traditions include the beloved Ice Cream Social on Main Street, the Adrenaline program on Saturday and a Closing Picnic to end the weekend.

COFFEE TALKS & DOC TALKS

Kick off your festival mornings on Saturday and Sunday with our popular Coffee Talks, where we bring together longtime friends of the festival and exciting first-time guests for enlightening conversations. Bring your cup of joe (don't forget your mug!) and join us as we dive into meaningful discussions — ranging from adventures to environmental advocacy and matters of the heart. Passholders have priority access at most Coffee Talk sessions.

Mountainfilm's Doc Talks are dedicated to career development and filmmaker support, offering practical insights and inspiration. These sessions feature leading industry experts alongside filmmakers and activists, sharing knowledge, tools and experiences to help creators thrive. Doc Talks are ticketed programs and advanced reservations are recommended. The public is welcome after passholders have been seated.

Mountainfilm's full list of films and events can be found at mountainfilm.org. Passes are on sale now.

About Mountainfilm: Established in 1979, Mountainfilm is one of North America's longest-running documentary film festivals, held annually over Memorial Day weekend in Telluride, Colorado. Mountainfilm is dedicated to using the power of film, art and ideas to inspire audiences to create a better world. The festival offers an immersive experience featuring a wide range of filmmakers, speakers, adventurers and activists in addition to screening cutting-edge, award-winning documentary films from around the world. Mountainfilm is an Academy Award® Qualifying Festival in the Documentary Short Film category. Mountainfilm on Tour also reaches audiences year-round through its global film program, and through Mountainfilm for Students, an educational outreach initiative for youth. Simply put, Mountainfilm has the power to change lives. To learn more, visit www.mountainfilm.org. To join the conversation, please read Mountainfilm's news and follow @mountainfilm on Instagram, Threads, Facebook and LinkedIn.