In 1981, residents Meg Lass and Mary Rianoshek — inspired by Telluride's festival — founded one of their own with a practical goal: bring some life to Breckenridge's sleepy September shoulder season. Forty-five years later (the 2026 edition marks the milestone), it's still run by Breck Film, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit governed by a volunteer board that has grown to operate its own year-round movie house, the Eclipse Theater.

Known as 'the filmmaker's film festival,' it has been named a USA Today Top 20 Film Festival and consistently ranks among FilmFreeway's Top 100 Reviewed festivals. Over four days, independent features, documentaries, shorts and adventure films screen across downtown venues — including the Eclipse Theater and the Riverwalk Center — with filmmaker Q&As and panels in between.

The 2026 festival runs September 17-20, with single tickets and full festival passes available.