Denver Film Festival 2026 adds more honorees
John Leguizamo, Indya Moore and D'Arcy Carden will be honored at the 2026 Denver Film Festival, Oct. 22-Nov. 1.
The 49th Denver Film Festival is adding three familiar faces to its growing guest list.
John Leguizamo, Indya Moore and D’Arcy Carden will receive special honors during the Oct. 22-Nov. 1 festival, Denver Film announced Tuesday, Oct. 13. The additions come alongside a newly scheduled screening of Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey,” six Creative Conversations and the announcement of this year’s competition juries.
Leguizamo will receive the festival’s John Cassavetes Award on Friday, Oct. 30, recognizing his contributions to independent filmmaking. Established in 1989, the honor has previously gone to artists including Lucy Liu, Patricia Clarkson, Jason Reitman and John Turturro.
The actor will participate in an in-person conversation before a screening of “The Odyssey,” Nolan’s adaptation of Homer’s epic starring Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway and Tom Holland. Leguizamo portrays Eumaeus, Odysseus’ loyal servant and friend.
Moore, best known for playing Angel on FX’s “Pose,” will receive the CinemaQ LaBahn Ikon Film Award on Sunday, Oct. 25, at the Denver Art Museum. The actor, model and producer will join Holly Harmon, interpretive specialist for the Denver Art Museum’s “DIVA” exhibit, for a moderated conversation.
Carden, known for her Emmy-nominated portrayal of Janet on “The Good Place” and her role in “A League of Their Own,” will receive the Women+Film Barbara Bridges Inspiration Award at the festival’s Awards Brunch on Sunday, Nov. 1.
“We couldn’t be more excited to welcome three extraordinary artists whose talent, creativity and impact extend far beyond the screen,” Denver Film Festival Artistic Director Matthew Campbell said in the announcement.
Six creative conversations added to the schedule
The festival also announced six discussions with filmmakers and entertainment industry professionals, all taking place on the lower level of Tattered Cover, 2526 E. Colfax Ave.
The lineup includes:
- Oct. 23, 11:30 a.m.: Screenwriting with Peter Gamble, writer of the festival’s opening-night film, “I Play Rocky.”
- Oct. 27, 11 a.m.: When the Buses Arrived, a discussion with the filmmakers behind “Good Help” and community members involved in Denver’s response to arriving Venezuelan migrants.
- Oct. 27, 1 p.m.: Muddy Waters: Navigating the Colorado River’s Uncertain Future, featuring filmmakers, water experts and activists.
- Oct. 29, 12:30 p.m.: The Evolving Television Landscape, presented by SeriesFest, with industry executives discussing contemporary television development.
- Oct. 30, 11 a.m.: Costume Design with Mona May, whose credits include “Clueless” and “The Wedding Singer.”
- Oct. 30, 1 p.m.: Casting Director Karlee Fomalont, whose credits include “A Complete Unknown” and “The Post.”
Denver Film also named the jurors for its four competition categories, including representatives from The Hollywood Reporter, Deadline, IndieWire, Vanity Fair and Gold Derby, alongside filmmakers and industry professionals. The jury awards include the Krzysztof Kieslowski Award for Best Feature Film, Maysles Brothers Award for Best Documentary, True Grit Award and several short-film awards.
The 49th Denver Film Festival runs Oct. 22-Nov. 1 at venues across Denver. Tickets for screenings, conversations and special events are available through denverfilm.org.
