Expect to hear cinema chatter throughout the next few weeks as the 2013 Starz Denver Film Festival returns for its 36th year. From November 6–17, special screenings, red carpet presentations, and hundreds of film showings will be scattered throughout the city. Luckily, the wealth of offerings means there’s something for everyone, from $10 screenings, to a $72 red carpet package.

If you’re looking to keep it local… Here are three ways to dip your feet into Colorado’s growing film scene:

1. Spend opening night at a special 3D screening of American Mustang, with veteran Colorado filmmaker Monty Miranda. American Mustang looks into one of the Wild West’s most iconic figures—the mustang—and the systematic capture of the wild prey. 7 p.m., Thurs., Nov. 7, United Artists Denver Pavilions

2. More, a short film by Boulder-based Daniel Beahm and CU professor Erika Randall Beahm, jam-packs heavy imagery and allusions into six minutes. The experimental film steps outside the box to look at one woman’s struggle to have it all. It’s screenings are part of Who Loves You, Baby?, a Colorado shorts package, so you can catch other local short films, too. 9:45 p.m., Sun., Nov. 10, and 7:15 p.m., Sun., Nov. 17, United Artist Pavilions

3. Hanna Ranch takes a closer look at the disintegration of the ranching community in Colorado through the eyes of three generations of cattlemen. Director and University of Colorado graduate Mitch Dickman focuses his film on Kirk Hanna, nicknamed the eco-cowboy, and his very personal mission to combat the wane of ranching and the subsequent negative impact on the environment. 3 p.m., Sat., Nov. 9, Ellie Caulkins Opera House

Bonus: Join executive producer of Hanna Ranch and best-selling author Eric Schlosser (Fast Food Nation, 2001), and chef Daniel Asher of Linger and Root Down for a special brunch and panel event, “The Land That Feeds Us.” 12 p.m., Sun., Nov. 10, RedLine

If you’re hoping to hang with the “Starz”…Check out these money makers and VIP offerings:

1. Join the Reel Social Club—the Denver Film Society’s counterpart for young professionals—for its post­–screening after party on the film fest’s final Friday. Purchase a ticket to the dark comedy Doomsday ($35), which gives you access to the after party at Parkside Mansion. 9:15 p.m., Fri., Nov. 15, Sie FilmCenter

2. Attend opening night’s red carpet presentation of Labor Day, starring Kate Winslett and Josh Brolin. The Labor Day special screening is followed by a party at the McNichols building; you can purchase an all-inclusive ticket to both the screening and the after party for $65. 8 p.m., Wed., Nov. 6, Ellie Caulkins Opera House

3. Learn about the man behind a true American icon at special event, Gene Kelly: The Legacy, An Evening With Patricia Ward Kelly. His surviving wife Patricia Ward Kelly, who grew up in Fort Collins, created this theatrical performance that intertwines intimate stories, audio, and film clips from Gene’s life to share his story with others. 7 p.m., Tues., Nov. 12, The Elaine Wolf Theatre

4. Catch the special presentation of One Chance, the true-life fairy tale of Paul Potts. The English man spent a life obsessed with singing opera despite naysayers and his awkward, soft spoken person. But when he took the stage of Britain’s Got Talent in 2007, it only took a few seconds for him to win over the hearts of millions with his voice—even the notoriously callous Simon Cowell (who was actually a producer of One Chance). The film’s director, David Frankel, will be at the screening. 7 p.m., Sat., Nov. 17, The Elaine Wolf Theatre

—Image courtesy of American Mustang

Follow digital assistant editor Jerilyn Forsythe on Twitter at @jlforsyt.

Jerilyn Forsythe
Jerilyn Forsythe
Jerilyn Forsythe is a freelance writer and editor, and 5280's former digital associate editor. Follow her on Instagram or Twitter @jlforsyt.