Denver film fans, you should be proud.
Yesterday, Denver Film Society announced it is receiving a $10,000 grant from The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences — as in the Academy from the Oscars. This is particularly a big deal since the organization has never received such a grant in its 41-years of existence. According to the Denver Film Society, this signals a big step-up in recognition for the Mile High city as a film hub.
“We are thrilled to receive the support of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences,” said Denver Film Society Executive Director Andrew Rodgers. “This is a very prestigious grant only a few organizations receive each year. In addition to providing a welcome boost to our bottom line, this important award also showcases how the Denver Film Society has continued to grow into a nationally significant cultural organization.”
Speaking of Denver culture, the grant will go towards CineLatino, a program and annual film festival that showcases Latino cinema. The grant will “pay for film rights, host and accommodate filmmakers, and enable DFS to provide a selection of free event,” according to the press release.
“In just a few years, CineLatino has become one of our most popular programs,” said Brit Withey, Denver Film Society Artistic Director. “Created several years ago to celebrate the importance of Hispanic Heritage Month, CineLatino seeks to bring diverse ideas and cultures together through their mutual appreciation of film.”
This year, the fourth annual event will return to Sie FilmCenter on September 6 to 9, 2018, at the Denver Film Society’s Sie FilmCenter. Additionally, CineLatino will appear at the Denver Film Festival (October 31 to November 11, 2018) in venues throughout Denver.
Denver Film Society is the only Colorado-based organization that received a grant this year out of the $500,000 awarded to 51 film organizations. But considering the growing popularity of film in Denver, we hope it won’t be the last.
Joanna Cintron and Ernie Quiroz deserve mention here.
Joanna Cintron and Ernie Quiroz these are the people who started CineLatino, THE CREDIT NEEDS TO GO JOANNA CINTRON AND ERNIE QUIROZ Please get your story correct.
Thank you
Since its debut in 2014, CineLatino has become the most inclusive Latino film series in town. It’s also a shining celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month and focuses on a bustling community whose work continues to expand.
Last year, CineLatino co-founder Joanna Cintrón was named Coors Light’s Líder of the Year, which brought newfound attention to the festival and a $25,000 prize.That money not only went to the 2016 schedule, but it secured the festival’s growth for years to come. And based on this year’s assortment of fifteen films, the sky is the limit with CineLatino.
“Whether it is celebrating the innovative approach of the filmmakers behind The Vessel, the incredible work of local Latino community, or the next generation of great directors from Mexico, we could not be more thrilled to announce this year’s lineup for CineLatino,” says Ernie Quiroz, Denver Film Society’s programming manager. “There are so many important stories that need to be told, and for four days at the Sie FilmCenter, we get to shine a spotlight on some of the best films from the U.S. [and] Latin America.”
Thank you for your comment. This article was meant to just announce that the grant was awarded but we can absolutely consider looking more into CineLatino as a whole. In the meantime, I have reached out to Denver Film Festival about the press release to get clarification about their involvement.