Cinephiles, rejoice 📽️🍿

 Spring  Film is in the air. The first week of March brings us FIVE Colorado film festivals, granting you access to several dozen films produced locally and internationally, with themes spanning pop culture, culture culture, and a ton about the mountains. I hope you’ve got popcorn and a lot of extra time, ’cause it’s gonna be hard to narrow this list down.

Colorado Environmental Film Festival (through March 6):
Ok, this one actually kicked off last Thursday, but you still have all week to binge films on environmental justice, wildlife, health and food, conservation, climate change, and more. CEFF’s mission is to “inspire, educate, and motivate audiences to protect and preserve the environment.” The festival went entirely virtual this year, so all 90-plus films and events (like keynote presentations and filmmaker conversations) can be experienced from home.

Boulder International Film Festival (March 3-6):
Embarking on its 18th year, BIFF is the see-and-be-seen film festival of the Front Range, bringing all kinds of celebrity filmmakers to Boulder (Alec Baldwin is apparently attending this year). The four-day festival includes screenings of films from around the globe, happy hours, galas, live music, and other events for rubbing elbows — like the CineCHEF dinner hosted by Denver and Boulder’s top chefs. They’ll be rolling out the red carpet for an opening-night gala on March 4, featuring a screening of “The Duke” (directed by Roger Michell), as well as two pre-parties filled with gourmet food and drinks.

Dragon Boat Film Festival (March 3-6):
The Dragon Boat Film Festival (affiliated with the annual Dragon Boat Festival that takes place at Sloan’s Lake every year) is Colorado’s only Asian/Asian-American film festival of its kind. This year’s film lineup boasts 30 titles exploring the theme: “Celebrating our resilience.” There will also be two Community Conversation events to spotlight Asian organizations within the community.

Banff Centre Mountain Film + Book Festival (March 3-5):
The internationally acclaimed Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity in Alberta, Canada, is taking its 2022 Mountain Film and Book Festival on a world tour. This festival aims to celebrate “the world’s mountain places” and create “opportunities for people to share and find inspiration in mountain experiences, ideas, and visions.” Extending to seven continents and 40 countries, this festival is the largest adventure film tour on the planet. It arrived in Boulder on Feb. 28, but will make additional stops across the state (including Denver this week). You can also catch some of the festival’s films online as part of the tour’s virtual programming.

No Man’s Land Film Festival (March 4-5):
NMLFF is a Denver-based all-women / gender-nonconforming adventure film festival that’s been banishing stereotypes in the outdoor industry around the world since 2015. Films in this festival lineup explore the “vastness of the planet from a feminine point of view as well as identities outside of the gender binary.” You can attend in-person screenings and events at the Denver Art Museum March 4-5, or you can participate virtually March 7-13. (The festival kicks off its national tour on March 11.)

🚫 Civilian sanctions: Local shops and businesses are doing what they can to take their own stance against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, including this Denver liquor store owner who has removed Russian products from his shelves.

🚓 Party too hard: The floor of an Aurora home caved into the basement, sending three people to the hospital, after a raucous house party grew out of control. There were reportedly more than 100 young people in attendance. First responders said it was lucky there were no deaths or more serious injuries.

🏂 Skiers and snowboarders, your pleas have been heard: CDOT has pledged to throw $700 million at a project to fix Floyd Hill — the 6-mile stretch of I-70 heading into the mountains that resembles the “waist of an hourglass” and causes intense multi-hour traffic delays. Plans tentatively include a new express lane, a bus service, roundabouts, and wildlife bridges.

🎧 LISTEN: Is the Acclaimed Cherry Creek School District hiding a toxic workplace? Cherry Creek School District might be known for its excellent academics. But now, several former staffers allege that the district’s administration promotes a culture of racism, sexism, and inappropriate conduct. Today on the show, Denver Gazette reporter David Migoya breaks down his investigation into the allegations.

WEDNESDAY: Experience the Adulti-verse
Explore the intergalactic wonder of Meow Wolf without having to watch for small children and with an adult beverage in hand. Welcome to: the Adulti-verse, an adult-only evening at Meow Wolf.

THURSDAY: Get your Mile High pride on
It’s 303 Day! Celebrate at the annual FREE 303 Day concert presented by 303 Magazine and Indie 102.3 at Number 38 music venue.

FRIDAY: Rock out to Queen by Colorado Symphony
Hear your favorite Freddie Mercury jams performed by the state’s premier orchestra. Buy tickets for this one-night performance here.

SATURDAY: Sample craft beer from around the state
Taste your way across Colorado one craft beer at a time at the annual Mile High Beer Fest at the McNichols Event Center.

SATURDAY + SUNDAY: Have all the beer, bacon, and coffee
Start your day the right way with this all-you-can-eat/drink Beer, Bacon, and Coffee Fest from Denver Beer Co. at any of its three metro Denver taprooms.

ALL MONTH: Celebrate National Women’s History Month
Take a beat to honor the women in your life and community! Learn more about the inspiring women who make up Colorado’s history at History Colorado. Or check out this list of books on women’s history from Denver Public Library.