It is with great sadness that we are announcing the official end of operations for Festivus Film Festival and it’s sister festival, Laugh Track Comedy Fest.
There were a number of factors that contributed to this very difficult decision, most of which were beyond our control. Rather than continue at a reduced capacity, we decided this was the best way to preserve our organization’s legacy.
When we started Festivus Film Festival in a basement in 2007, we never anticipated what it would become. We always wanted it to be about the filmmakers, and so for those hundreds of filmmakers that allowed us to present their films to Denver over the years, we offer a final “Thank you.”
And to all of the volunteers that have been a part of Festivus- this was your festival, and we hope you’ll continue to be proud of what we accomplished.
We will always look back on the films, photos, friendships and parties with fond memories.
This is an end to an incredible adventure, but new ones are just now starting for all of us involved with Festivus FF.
To all our supporters world wide and right here in Denver, we want to again say thanks for everything.
See you at the movies!
The Festivus Family
Johnathan McFarlane
Tim DeMasters
Kate O’Neill
Laura Lammert
Richard Karpala
Dan Ito
Carlos Madrid
Heather Jaxx
Erin Brinkley Burgardt
Trever Alters
Tim Sorensen
Nathaniel Eyde
Nathan Miles
Mike Demma
Mark Schutes
Evan Nix
Adam Nix
We’re excited to announce that, while we’ve been silent the last few months about our plans for our next event, we have begun to make plans for what we are confident will be our biggest and best festival yet. As a part of our efforts to grow and create a comedy film festival that stands out, we’re making some changes. The first is that we’ve decided to move our event from late summer 2013 to spring 2014. We know that’s a long time to wait, but the result will be a bigger and better event that is the only one of its kind. As a result of this change, our submission period has been delayed. We will be announcing dates and opening submissions very soon, so stay tuned to this page, as well as our Twitter and Facebook.
If you missed the event this year, worry not! We’ve finally put together our comedians’ sets from this year’s festival! Here are a few of our favorites. More after the page break.
We had an amazing time this year and we want to thank EVERYONE who came out to support the show from our audiences to our sponsors, comics, volunteers and filmmakers. We’re about to go to sleep for the next three days, and we recommend you all do the same. But before we do, here are our official winners from last night! It’s worth noting that everyone did an amazing job and all of the comics and films were extremely well received. Congrats to everyone involved!
Meet HEATHER SNOW. She’ll try to incorporate some yoga moves into her act! We hope.
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Heather is a Denver based comic who is best known for producing Ladies Laugh-In at Beauty Bar (A Showcase made up of mostly women and a token dude or two), two-time winner of Best of Westword. Drawing from personal experiences, she gives a dry, cynical twist to being a single, young professional.
Laugh Track: How long have you been a stand-up comic?
Heather: A little over two years. My first time on stage was when I was practicing what I called “Productive Drinking” at an Open Mic Night. I was only allowed to drink if there was an activity. I got onstage drunk, and told all of my grandfather’s old jokes. “Got yer nose!”
What other comics will you be watching during the festival?
Laugh Track: How long have you been a stand-up comic?
Nathan: 8 years now. 4 years when I started out in Las Vegas and 4 living in Denver. So about 2 years now of being an actual comic who isn’t the worst.
What other comics will you be watching during the festival?
There are a ton of great Denver comics – Abbey Jordan, Brett Hiker, Christie Buchele, Nate Balding, Jordan Doll, Andrew Read the rest of this entry »
What is THE SPARKLING? Why it’s M Night Shyamalan’s new movie of course.
Synopsis: Puppets Harry and Luther somehow land jobs as caretakers to the legendary Stanley Hotel. Upon arrival Luther is immediately overtaken by an evil spirit, while Harry learns about his new found gift of telepathy. Adventure, excitement, and outrageous nudity awaits the pair around every corner! Who will outlast who in this thrill-a-minute parody based on a famous Colorado legend.
Director: Artfacestudios
Laugh Track: How much time and energy did you spend making it?
Artfacestudios: “The Sparkling” was filmed on location at the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park. Some scenes were finished in our green screen room if they needed touching up or another layer of video. We spent one sleepless night rampaging through the hotel unsupervised with puppets and a bunch of liquor. Several hours were spent at the bar. Upon receiving the invite to “go ahead and cross any lines that keep you out, and have fun” from the owner and bartender we continued our evening in a drunken rage throughout the entire hotel… I would imagine we created several of the “unexplained” sounds the ghost tour might have heard.
What’s funnier than romance antics? We present THE DATE
Synopsis: When Ben Roy sets up his roommate, Rob Gleeson on a blind date with his friend, Rob quickly discovers that true feelings sometimes make themselves known in unusual ways.
Director: Ben Simkins
Laugh Track: How much time and energy did you spend making the movie?
Ben: Two days of shooting and three days to coax Ben Roy out of the car and on to set once in full makeup.
Do you think it was worth all that time/energy?
This was my first directing a narrative short so the pure fact that it didn’t resemble a Cleveland steamer tangled up in former presidential hopeful, Pat Buchanan’s chest-hair… yeah, I’d call that a win.
If this guy looks familiar to you, that’s because this is probably his yearbook picture.
Meet ERIK ANKER
Erik Anker (born as: Jostophasen Christmas) started doing standup in blah blah blah. (Ahem) Blah blah blah blah blah. He recently won the blah blah blah award and currently sits as Thunderchief of the blah blah blah. #thunderchief
How long have you been a stand-up comic?
381 shows.
What other comics will you be watching during the festival?
Pretty much anyone from Denver and anyone not from Denver that anyone from Denver recommends. The FGC are all amazing and funny in my favorite ways, like four seperate layers of a hilarity cake.
Meet CHRISTIE BUCHELE. She’s not afraid of going places.
Christie Buchele is from Denver, Colorado and has been doing comedy for 2 1/2 years. Denver joke life is amazing! Thank god I’m crippled so it gives me the material to be a part of it.
Laugh Track: How long have you been a stand-up comic?
Christie: 2 1/2 Years
What other comics will you be watching during the festival?
I am excited to see the people coming in from out of town
