Mountainfilm rounds out 2026 festival with authors, art exhibitions and community events

Mountainfilm has detailed the slate of authors, artists, outdoor programs and community events that will run alongside the documentary lineup at its 48th annual festival, set for Memorial Day weekend, May 21–25, 2026, in Telluride.

The non-film programming spans gallery exhibitions, book signings, Coffee Talks, Doc Talks, outdoor sessions in Elks Park and a series of evening parties across town venues.

Community events and parties

Two nonprofit partners are hosting festival parties. Woodwell Climate Research Center opens the weekend Thursday from 8 to 11 p.m. at Smugglers Brew Pub, marking 41 years of climate research and education. The Nature Conservancy in Colorado follows Saturday from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at The Last Dollar Saloon, with drinks, snacks and a celebration of science-based conservation work.

The Alibi will host two community meet-ups. Friday from 5:30 to 7 p.m., BIPOC filmmakers, festival guests and allies are invited to a networking gathering in partnership with Firelight Media, Mountain Media Arts Collective and Color Vérité, with DJ DAGHE. Saturday from 5:30 to 7 p.m., LGBTQ+ filmmakers, festival guests and allies are welcomed to a similar gathering with TelluPride and Ouray County Pride, with DJ Leaux.

A Happy Hour series runs Saturday and Sunday from 3 to 5 p.m. in Elks Park with live performances and athlete conversations. The festival closes with the Mountainfilm Dance Party on Sunday at 8 p.m. at The Alibi, featuring DJ DAGHE and Goth Babe. The Sunday night party is open to passholders only.

Outdoor experiences

Free Range outdoor programs run through the weekend from a home base in Elks Park, beginning Friday. Sessions include climbing, hiking and a mountain bike ride with participants from Best Day Ever, plus a cold plunge in the San Miguel River inspired by fine artist and Mountainfilm award maker R. Nelson Parrish’s decade-long Misogi practice. Author and storyteller Craig Childs leads a dark sky storytelling session Saturday at 9 p.m. in Elks Park.

Art programming

Mountainfilm’s art programming returns in partnership with Telluride Arts. On Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m., Twenty(by)Telluride takes the stage at The Alibi, featuring Aaron Huey, Max Romey, Morgan Heim, Sav Rodgers and Angela Hawse, each presenting 20 slides shown for 20 seconds.

The annual Art Walk on Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. showcases photographers, activists and artists at Telluride Arts, Fringe Gallery, Ah Haa School for the Arts and Telco, which features 2026 mural artist Ami Vitale. Festival awards will also be on display at Fringe Gallery.

Featured artists

Cristina Mittermeier, Mountainfilm’s 2026 guest director, presents “Hope” at Fringe Gallery, a body of photographic work she describes as a meditation on belonging and reciprocity drawn from decades spent in wild places.

Max Romey, the 2026 poster artist and filmmaker, presents “Together We Are” at Ah Haa School for the Arts. The interactive multimedia exhibition includes a series of tiny paintings depicting the personalities and ethos of Mountainfilm; visitors are invited to add their own paintings to a growing grid that culminates in an interactive mosaic.

John Colette’s “Portal Experience” runs at the Telluride Science & Innovation Center, an arboreal projection that transforms the back patio with light. It runs Friday, Saturday and Sunday at nightfall, 8:30 to 10 p.m.

Lindsay Branham’s VR experience “Ocean Keepers,” narrated by Meryl Streep, follows a manatee named Kat in waters off Belize as conservationist Jaimilee Cruz and rescue specialist Jamal Galves work to save her. The piece is on view at Telluride Arts Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“The Nature of Hope: A Celebration of Jane Goodall and the Women She Inspired” is also at Telluride Arts. Originally curated by Ami Vitale to mark Goodall’s 90th birthday, the exhibition gathers work from 90 women photographers and includes a rare self-portrait by Goodall.

National Geographic Explorer at Large Ami Vitale presents “Well” at Telco. The mural, photographed in Rajasthan, India, depicts an ancient stepwell and addresses how climate change and dwindling water sources fall disproportionately on women.

Authors and book signings

Book signings are scheduled Thursday, Saturday and Sunday at venues across town.

The annual Town Read takes place Thursday from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Wilkinson Public Library, with Bridget Crocker in conversation about her book The River’s Daughter.

Cristina Mittermeier signs copies of Hope Friday at 1:15 p.m. at the Madeline Hotel following the Minds Moving Mountains Symposium, and again Sunday at 5 p.m. at Fringe Gallery.

Following Coffee Talks on Saturday and Sunday, Mountainfilm partners with Between the Covers Bookstore on author signings around town. Participating authors include Joanna Croston, Lindsay Branham, Bridget Crocker, Shannon Nering, Miriam Horn, Dillon Osleger, Kevin Fedarko and Pete McBride.

Coffee Talks, Doc Talks and festival traditions

Coffee Talks run Saturday and Sunday mornings, with conversations spanning adventure, environmental advocacy and personal stories. Passholders have priority access at most sessions.

Doc Talks focus on career development for filmmakers, with industry experts joining filmmakers and activists for practical sessions. They are intended for filmmakers and festival guests, with the public welcome after guest passholders are seated.

The Base Camp Theater in Telluride Town Park screens free outdoor films nightly at 8:45 p.m. and is open to the public. Other festival traditions include the Ice Cream Social on Main Street, the Adrenaline program on Saturday and a Closing Picnic to wrap the weekend.

The full list of films and events is at mountainfilm.org. Passes are on sale now.