The 49th Denver Film Festival is set to run from October 22 to November 1, 2026, bringing an impressive slate of 129 films to marquee venues including the Ellie Caulkins Opera House and the Sie FilmCenter. This year’s festival opens with Peter Farrelly’s I Play Rocky and closes with James Gray’s Paper Tiger, bookending a program that blends star power, critical darlings, and highly anticipated premieres from some of the world’s most acclaimed filmmakers.
Opening night on October 22 will feature I Play Rocky, a $30 million biopic directed by Peter Farrelly that tells the behind-the-scenes story of a struggling Sylvester Stallone trying to get Rocky made while refusing to sell the script unless he stars in it. Anthony Ippolito leads the cast as Stallone, with AnnaSophia Robb and Matt Dillon in supporting roles. The film originally premiered to a raucous standing ovation at TIFF 2026 and currently holds an 8.3/10 IMDb rating. Screenwriter Peter Gamble will attend the Denver screening for a live conversation, giving audiences a unique opportunity to dive deeper into the film’s creation. Closing night on October 31 will showcase Paper Tiger, written and directed by James Gray. The intense crime drama follows two brothers chasing the American Dream who get dangerously entangled in a suburban Russian mafia gambling scheme. Starring Adam Driver, Scarlett Johansson, and Miles Teller, the film is backed by NEON and originally premiered in the main competition at the Cannes Film Festival.
Between the opening and closing galas, the festival has packed its schedule with highly anticipated centerpieces and special presentations. Centerpiece screenings include Danny Boyle’s Ink, starring Jack O’Connell as a young Rupert Murdoch, and Tony Gilroy’s Behemoth!, featuring Pedro Pascal as a gifted cellist. Special presentations include new features from acclaimed directors such as Pedro Almodóvar’s Bitter Christmas and Jesse Eisenberg’s latest directorial effort starring Julianne Moore and Paul Giamatti. These films represent the diversity and ambition that have made the Denver Film Festival a key stop on the international festival circuit, offering audiences a curated selection of the year’s most talked-about titles.
The festival will also honor several notable figures in the industry. Denver Film will present special honors to actors Carrie Coon and John Cho, alongside rising talents and creatives including Fred Hechinger, Benedetta Porcaroli, Liz Sargent, and sound designer David Acord. These honorees reflect the festival’s commitment to celebrating both established stars and emerging voices in cinema. With its mix of high-profile premieres, critical favorites, and tribute events, the 49th Denver Film Festival promises to be a memorable celebration of film and a highlight of the fall festival season.
