Season’s Greetings from Jake and Jared, Festival Co-Directors!
Dear friends,
Jake and Jared here! As co-directors of OIFF, we wanted to give a quick update about our work during this time of year when we’re asking for your support.
“One of the major perks of my role at the festival is the chance to help direct our year-round partnership with Ouray School alongside our amazing faculty partners. Last week, I met with students on Zoom to discuss the short films they are making to screen at next year’s Ouray Student Film Festival. I graduated from Ouray High School in 2009, and it’s my honor to bring amazing films and filmmakers to the school where I first learned to love movies. Your contribution helps us continue that mission!”
- Jake Abell
“I’m currently working on a retrospective screening of several OIFF films in Los Angeles, where I currently reside. And we’re working hard on reading the amazing applications that are coming in for the inaugural cohort of the Ouray Film Sabbatical! I can’t wait to share the results of our selection process with you in January. For our seventh annual summer film festival, expect an amazing lineup of films and discussions. Remember our Filipino Cinema focus last year? Stand by for an announcement about next year’s global cinema program. See you all in June!”
- Jared LaCroix
As we head into the holiday season, we are both asking you for help. It’s a tight year for non-profits everywhere, and we could use the support. No contribution is too small! Here’s a snapshot of what your end-of-year contribution can do:
$1,000 can help bring an international artist to the summer festival
$200 can provide a travel stipend for a filmmaker in the United States
$750 can help us bring a sabbatical fellow to Ouray in March
$500 allows us to pay a local to run lights during OIFF 2026
Donating a house or a room in Ouray can help lodge a visiting artist for the sabbatical (March 7-10) or during the festival (June 18-21)
Plus, anything you give through COLORADO GIVES will be enhanced by a kickback contribution anytime through December 9th!
If you have questions about our work in the community, write to us anytime. And thank you for your support. It makes a huge difference.
Best,
Jake and Jared