Attending Filmmaker Expectations
If your film is selected to screen at Mountainfilm, congratulations! You’re among a small group of filmmakers chosen for our festival lineup. We are excited to welcome you to Telluride. Below is an overview of what to expect. We encourage you to embrace the full immersive festival experience, be flexible and get ready for an unforgettable weekend.
Screening Overview
Mountainfilm has five primary screening venues: Base Camp (outdoor theater), Palm, High Camp (Telluride Conference Center), Masons, and the historic Sheridan Opera House. Venues range in size from our unlimited-seating outdoor Base Camp theater to the intimate Masons theater. All are equipped with the highest-quality DCP* projectors and Dolby sound, supported by some of the best projectionists and tech teams in the business.
*See the DCP section below in our FAQ for additional information about DCP.
Your film will play at least once at one of these venues. Shorts typically screen in curated blocks with other short films, or before a feature film. Some films may also be featured in a Special Presentation, which pairs the screening with an in-depth discussion on a relevant topic.
The Ah Haa and Library venues are generally reserved for speaking events, though films may occasionally screen there as well.
Mountainfilm programs run about two hours, including sponsor/intro reels, emcee welcome, filmmaker intros, and Q&As. We run on a tight schedule and we always start on time, so please arrive in advance of your scheduled screening.
Short Films
If your film is a short, you are usually invited to give a brief (about 2 mins. max) introduction before the screening. This is your chance to greet the audience and share anything important/relevant, without giving away the story.
Occasionally, short films are followed by a Q&A, usually reserved for World Premieres or when a film’s main participant is present. These Q&As usually last 5–10 minutes.
Feature Films
If you’re attending with a feature film, and you or a key participant is present, there will usually be a Q&A after the screening. These typically run 10–15 minutes, depending on the time available.
Preparing for a Q&A
Our emcees will help guide the conversation and will ask you questions. It is helpful to have some thoughts in mind in advance so you have a smooth Q&A. Emcees will often start with questions like:
- How did you discover this story, or what inspired you to make the film?
- What was it like working with [protagonist’s name]?
- What is the key takeaway you hope audiences leave with?
- How can people learn more or get involved?
Depending on time, the emcee may open the floor to audience questions, but in most cases the questions will come directly from the emcee.
On the Day of Your Screening
- Arrive at the venue 30 minutes before your scheduled screening. We keep to a strict schedule and always start our shows on time.
- When you arrive, let the venue team know that your film is screening and that you need to meet with the stage manager.
- The stage manager will connect you with the emcee, who will confirm whether you’ll do an intro, a Q&A, or both.
- Important: Do not request changes to the program schedule. The stage manager and emcee are not authorized to alter the run of show.
- Be prepared for last-minute adjustments. Festival schedules often shift, and we’ll make changes as needed to ensure the best experience for everyone.