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Vail Film Festival

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 Vail, 81657

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Call: (970) 306-6843
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About

The Vail Film Festival is an annual independent film festival staged by the Colorado Film Institute, a nonprofit, and its organizers list December 3 to 6, 2026 for the next edition. That puts it in the first weeks of the ski season, before the holiday rush, so a festival trip can also be a ski trip.

It suits film lovers and working filmmakers more than casual moviegoers: the program pairs screenings with panels, workshops and networking, and the festival runs a screenplay competition alongside it. This is a seasonal event rather than a venue, so plan around the published dates.

The 2026 program

The headline strand for 2026 is a French Showcase of new cinema from France and the French-speaking world, built on a partnership with the ÉCU-Paris Film Festival, the European Independent Film Festival. The organizers describe a French film screening series, Franco-American panel discussions and a masterclass with a French filmmaker. Film titles, screening venues and pass details had not been published when this listing was checked, so watch the festival's website as December approaches.

For screenwriters

The Vail Screenplay Competition takes original, unproduced narrative features, shorts and television pilots written in English, with submissions, rules and deadlines handled through FilmFreeway. Judging is anonymous and past results are posted on the festival's site. Writers who want notes can buy paid feedback, from short first-look notes to full coverage with a review of a revised draft. A separate French and Francophone screenplay competition is being launched for writers from the French-speaking world.

Planning a festival trip

Vail is about 100 miles west of Denver on I-70, and early December is a snow-driving month, so allow extra time. The Vail Village and Lionshead parking structures are the most convenient places to park, with the free Town of Vail bus linking the villages. The festival names partner hotels on its website; the list was last updated for an earlier edition, so confirm any festival rate directly with the hotel.

Sources: festival home, about, screenplay competition, screenplay feedback, travel. Checked September 23, 2026.

Contact Information

Company Name
Vail Film Festival
Phone Number
See Phone Number
Call: (970) 306-6843
Location
Vail, 81657

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About Vail Film Festival

The Vail Film Festival is an annual independent film festival staged by the Colorado Film Institute, a nonprofit, and its organizers list December 3 to 6, 2026 for the next edition. That puts it in the first weeks of the ski season, before the holiday rush, so a festival trip can also be a ski trip.

It suits film lovers and working filmmakers more than casual moviegoers: the program pairs screenings with panels, workshops and networking, and the festival runs a screenplay competition alongside it. This is a seasonal event rather than a venue, so plan around the published dates.

The 2026 program

The headline strand for 2026 is a French Showcase of new cinema from France and the French-speaking world, built on a partnership with the ÉCU-Paris Film Festival, the European Independent Film Festival. The organizers describe a French film screening series, Franco-American panel discussions and a masterclass with a French filmmaker. Film titles, screening venues and pass details had not been published when this listing was checked, so watch the festival's website as December approaches.

For screenwriters

The Vail Screenplay Competition takes original, unproduced narrative features, shorts and television pilots written in English, with submissions, rules and deadlines handled through FilmFreeway. Judging is anonymous and past results are posted on the festival's site. Writers who want notes can buy paid feedback, from short first-look notes to full coverage with a review of a revised draft. A separate French and Francophone screenplay competition is being launched for writers from the French-speaking world.

Planning a festival trip

Vail is about 100 miles west of Denver on I-70, and early December is a snow-driving month, so allow extra time. The Vail Village and Lionshead parking structures are the most convenient places to park, with the free Town of Vail bus linking the villages. The festival names partner hotels on its website; the list was last updated for an earlier edition, so confirm any festival rate directly with the hotel.

Sources: festival home, about, screenplay competition, screenplay feedback, travel. Checked September 23, 2026.

Festivals
Phone: (970) 306-6843

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. When is the 2026 Vail Film Festival?+
The organizers list December 3 to 6, 2026. The festival is held once a year; check vailfilmfestival.com for the schedule as the dates approach.
Q. What is showing?+
The 2026 festival centers on a French Showcase of new French and French-language cinema, with a screening series, Franco-American panels and a French filmmaker masterclass. Individual titles had not been announced when this listing was checked.
Q. How do I get tickets or passes?+
Pass and ticket details for 2026 had not been published when this listing was checked. Watch vailfilmfestival.com, or contact the festival at (970) 306-6843 or info@vailfilmfestival.org.
Q. Where are the screenings held?+
Screening venues for 2026 had not been published. The festival lists its address as 141 East Meadow Drive in Vail Village.
Q. Who runs the festival?+
The Colorado Film Institute, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that stages the festival each year in Vail. Donations are tax-deductible.
Q. Can I enter a screenplay?+
Yes. The Vail Screenplay Competition accepts original, unproduced features, shorts and TV pilots written in English; optioned scripts are allowed. Entries go through FilmFreeway, which lists rules, fees and deadlines.
Q. How much is screenplay feedback?+
For feature scripts: first-look notes $79, development notes $149, and comprehensive coverage with a revised-draft review $249. Separate options exist for shorts and TV pilots.
Q. Where should I stay?+
The festival lists partner hotels on its website, but the list dates from an earlier edition. Vail Village and Lionshead put you within walking distance or a free bus ride of the village; book early, as the dates fall in the opening weeks of ski season.