Screening Events

FILMS OF THE COLORADO ROCKIES

THE LAST RIDGE: The Uphill Battles of the 10th Mountain Division (2007)
Extraordinary Rocky Mountain history! More than 60 years ago, the 10th Mountain Division did the impossible in the mountains of Italy, scaling a 2000 foot cliff on a cold winter night to knock the Germans from their impenetrable perch. But the 10th Mountain did more than turn the tide for the Allies in Italy. They revolutionized winter mountain warfare abroad, transformed winter sports at home, and blazed a path of honor for generations to come. The remarkable story of how the heroic 10th Mountain Division came to be. This award-winning documentary brings the extraordinary 10th Mountain legacy to life, from the uphill battles they faced during World War II, to the remote corners of troubled Afghanistan where they continue to patrol today. Produced by 10th Mountain descendent Abbie Kealy, the program was filmed extensively in Colorado, Italy, Afghanistan and Yugoslavia, with insights from over one hundred 10th Mountain soldiers. Training re-enactments filmed with the cooperation of Colorado’s 10th Living History Group.
Running time: 57 min.
Rating: G
Sun., Sept. 14th, 5pm
Avalon Theater, Grand Junction

LEADVILLE SKIJORING (2005)
Horse, rider, skier and snow come together for a thrilling speed and accuracy competition down historic Harrison Avenue of Leadville, Colorado. This engaging documentary short highlights the key concepts and history behind this unique sport and the many interesting characters that come together to participate in its tradition and evolution. Colorado filmmakers John and Allison Abdelnour reside in Buena Vista.
Running time: 12 min. (preceding “The Last Ridge”)
Sun., Sept. 14th, 5pm
Avalon Theater, Grand Junction

FROM LEADVILLE TO ASPEN: A HOLD-UP IN THE ROCKIES (1906)
Rare screening of the rare silent movie! From the point of view of the front end of a train, a group of robbers on a handcar attempt a daring train robbery and murder one of its crew. Shot documentary-style showing the countryside and small towns as the train travels through them, this was actually a genre of film at the time dubbed “Phantom Tourism” where locations were filmed from a moving vehicle. Look closely… the locations may not be what they seem! (with live piano accompaniment)
Running time: 8 min.
Black & white. Fri., Sept. 12th, 7pm (part of the ‘Opening Night Event’)
Avalon Theater, Grand Junction (together with rare silent film ”Old Time Western Thriller” – 10 min.)

LIFE ABOVE 10’000 FEET (2008) **World Premiere**
Young Leadville filmmaker Jenny Lugeanbeal shares a vividly personal and intimate history of her hometown in this touching and poignant short film. Perhaps the best visual example of the synergy between filmmaker, physical locality, and childhood memory ever put on film. The IFFC is proud to open the ’08 event with this lovely personal visual account of a young girl’s memory of her beloved hometown.
Running time: 5 min.
Fri., Sept. 12th, 7pm (part of the ‘Opening Night Event’)
Avalon Theater, Grand Junction

THE ROAD TO OSCAR (2008) **World Premiere**
In its inaugural year, the Independence Film Fest of Colorado sponsored a unique cross-country journey by limousine from the high country to Hollywood to promote the new film festival, and along for the ride was a very special guest – none other than ‘Oscar’ himself! After bringing the little ‘golden guy’ back to his ‘ore-igins’, IFFC Executive Directors Lawrence David Foldes and Victoria Paige Meyerink took the pre-eminent symbol of ‘Hollywood’ on a whistle-stop tour of the western United States on his way back home to the red carpet of the Academy Awards and into the hands of his movie star owner. This poignant and hilarious account of Oscar’s journey home chronicles the moment by moment happenings – the good, the bad, and the ugly!
Running time: 14 min.
Fri., Sept. 12th, 7pm (part of the ‘Opening Night Event’)
Avalon Theater, Grand Junction