The Local newsletter is your free, daily guide to life in Colorado. For locals, by locals.
Last year, only 20 percent of directors from the top 100 grossing films were women. Only eight percent of films in 2024 employed 10 or more women. (For context, 70 percent employed 10 or more men.) It’s statistics like those that make the annual Women+Film Festival (May 30 to June 1) so important.
This year’s three-day event at the Sie FilmCenter includes 10 feature films, six shorts, a marketplace featuring local, women-owned businesses, and, oh yeah, the Julia Stiles. The 10 Things I Hate About You actress will receive the 2025 Barbara Bridges Inspiration Award at a luncheon on Friday. Following the awards, Women+Film will screen Wish You Were Here, Stiles’ directorial debut.
“This year is exciting not just because the films are of such a high caliber, but also because we have such a robust lineup,” says Denver Film programming manager Ambriehl Turrentine. The cinematic roster even includes a feature film, Time and Other Materials, devoted entirely to Colorado artists.
In addition to all the screenings, attendees can sit in on a panel about sexuality with filmmakers and intimacy coordinators, catch a discussion on moral panic with journalists and library directors, and mingle with other movie lovers at a mixer presented by Women in Film and Media Colorado.
Ahead of the 16th annual festival, we asked Turrentine for her five must-see picks and sat down with the local filmmakers behind Time and Other Materials.
My Favourite Cake
- When: Saturday, May 31 at 4:30 p.m.
- Directors: Maryam Moghaddam and Behtash Sanaeeha
This fictional dramedy follows a 70-year-old widow in Iran who lives alone and follows a strict routine, until one unexpected encounter leads to a late-in-life romance. “It ties in themes of Iran’s censorship and how it relates to women,” Turrentine says. The film takes place over a single day—giving the storyline a crisp sense of timing and plenty of charm.
Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore
- When: Saturday, May 31 at 7 p.m.
- Director: Shoshannah Stern
Fresh off its world premiere at Sundance, this documentary explores the life of Marlee Matlin, the first Deaf actor to win an Academy Award. “The film really highlights the struggles Matlin endured after being thrust into the spotlight at such a young age,” Turrentine says. “It’s directed by Soshannah Stern, who’s also Deaf, which makes for a uniquely and empathetically told story.”
A Mother Apart
- When: Sunday, June 1 at 1:45 p.m.
- Director: Laurie Townshend
LGBTQ+ activist Staceyann Chin had a complex relationship with her mother. Now a mom herself, this 88-minute feature follows Chin’s journey as she bridges the gap between her experience and how she raises her own daughter. “The director, Laurie Townshend, will be hosting a workshop after the showing about telling stories from marginalized perspectives,” Turrentine says.
The Librarians
- When: Sunday, June 1 at 4:30 p.m.
- Director: Kim A. Snyder
This year’s closing-night film is a love letter to librarians—and a rallying cry for free speech. The Librarians follows book defenders on the front lines of censorship battles across the U.S., weaving together themes of LGBTQ+ rights, racial justice, and the quiet heroism of those who keep knowledge accessible. Stick around after the screening for a conversation with the film’s producer and one of the librarians featured in the film.
Time and Other Materials
- When: Friday, May 30 at 4:15 p.m.
- Director: Amie Knox
Featuring local artists Stacey Steers, Kim Dickey, Ana María Hernando, Rebecca DiDomenico, and Martha Russo, Time and Other Materials offers an intimate look at each woman’s creative process and radically different worldviews. Mystery, femininity, and hopes for the future rise to the surface in this thoughtful, locally made documentary from director Amie Knox and producer Chad Herschberger.
Recently, 5280 sat down with Knox and Herschberger to discuss their ode to Colorado art.
Editor’s note: The following conversation has been edited for length and clarity.
5280: How did you first get the idea for Time and Other Materials?
Amie Knox: I’ve been pretty good friends with all of the artists we feature in the film. I knew all of them from their work at various museums in Denver and Boulder. I also knew that they had this informal collective where they would get together a few times a year to talk to each other, critique each other’s work, and support one another as they embarked on bigger projects. I was fascinated by that group aspect. This film is made stronger because of the artists’ honesty and how open they are when they’re on camera.
The film is divided into five segments, allowing each of the artists to speak for themselves. Why did you choose this format?
Chad Herschberger: Keeping their voices distinct was important to us. There are a lot of similarities between these women: They’re all accomplished artists, have had successful careers, they’re all a little further in life, and they’re all mothers. It would be really easy to connect those things together, but despite the similarities, each of these women brings distinct perspectives. One of the main points of this film is the idea that everybody sees the world a little bit differently.
What was the filming process like?
Amie Knox: Our crew was essentially just the two of us and Robert Muratore, our cinematographer. We had one long interview day with each of the artists, and one long day filming them at work in their studios. We had a few other days of pickup and audio, but it was a pretty quick process.
Did you face any challenges in filming?
Chad Herschberger: It’s not a complicated film, and there’s not anything particularly tricky about it. We were trying to make something quiet and simple that’s still enjoyable to watch and also insightful. The challenge comes in when you’re telling someone else’s story and you want to represent them accurately. You want to be true to their intentions.
How can people watch Time and Other Materials if they can’t make the Women+Film Festival?
Amie Knox: We have another showing in Boulder at Dairy Arts Center on June 16. We don’t have dates for anything beyond that, but we might have future showings at the Holiday Theater and the Denver Botanic Gardens.
What do you hope viewers will take away from the film?
Amie Knox: I just hope it’s inspiring to people. Not just to be creative, but to be inspired by how these women are trying to make the world a better place. The relationship among the women is something I wanted to feature because so many people have this stereotype of women being cutthroat with one another. These women are the opposite of that. They would do anything for each other, and they are constantly showing up for each other.
Chad Herschberger: For people who work in artistic mediums, it’s kind of in the job description to think about the world and their place in it. For myself personally, I’m frustrated with the state of things right now and in the way people treat each other. I hope people see these women as an example of a different way.
Women+Film Festival takes place from May 30 to June 1 at Sie FilmCenter. Festival passes are sold out, but tickets to individual films (prices vary) can be purchased online.
