OIFF ANNOUNCED AS ONE OF “50 FILM FESTIVALS WORTH THE ENTRY FEE” BY MovieMaker Magazine

Each year, MovieMaker Magazine curates a list of festivals that are known for providing hospitality, meaningful networking, and an overall excellent festival experience for filmmakers. The Ouray International Film Festival is proud to be included on this year’s list as one of “50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee.” You can read more about OIFF and other festivals on the list here. 

“We have so much respect for MovieMaker as a magazine that champions festivals and filmmakers,” says Jared LaCroix, OIFF co-director. “Being included on the list is an honor and a validation of our core mission to support our global filmmaker community.” 

Nestled in Colorado’s remote San Juan Mountains, the Ouray International Film Festival is a four-day annual event that produces a high artist turnout year after year. 

“Ouray is completely beautiful, but it’s not easy to get to,” adds Jake Abell, festival co-director. “We provide a lot of financial support to filmmakers so they can enjoy the full experience. We offer travel stipends, complimentary lodging, airport transportation, and on-the-ground hospitality. We want to lavish support on our visiting artists in every way we can.” 

Among the unique features of OIFF’s hospitality, the festival prepares home-cooked meals for the entire artist cohort every night after the final film block. According to LaCroix, “It’s a way that we build an intimate community from day one. We don’t just help bring artists to Ouray; we bring them into our homes and cook for them starting the night before the festival when we host multiple happy hours at homes and businesses across town.”  

OIFF also offers a Grand Jury Prize of $1,000, custom awards made by local artisan Cie Hoover, and artist parties throughout the festival weekend including this year’s closing event at the historic St. Elmo Hotel. The festival also fully incorporates its juries into the artist experience to ensure that filmmakers have many opportunities to connect with industry leaders. 

2026 also saw OIFF expand its offerings to artists through the launch of the OURAY FILM SABBATICAL, an all-expenses-paid residency experience for filmmakers, curators, programmers, critics, and film scholars. Applications for the second annual sabbatical are now live on Filmfreeway.

“We’re grateful to the whole MovieMaker team for this recognition,” says LaCroix. “At OIFF, we believe that a festival is only as good as the quality of the in-person experience for artists. We’ll always continue finding new ways to enhance the artist experience, and we’re excited to welcome the next cohort of filmmakers to Ouray in less than a month.”

Submissions for OIFF 2027 will open in July. Passes for this year’s festival (June 18-21) are still available to purchase online.