The Vail Film Festival is an independent film festival founded in 2004 by brothers Sean and Scott Cross, held annually each December in Vail, Colorado. Produced by the Colorado Film Institute, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to promoting independent film, the festival takes place in what is known as the largest ski resort in the United States, creating a unique destination experience that has drawn more than 150,000 attendees and 3,000 filmmakers since its inception.
Named one of the “top ten destination film festivals in the world” by MovieMaker Magazine in 2007, the Vail Film Festival screens narrative features, documentaries, and short films, with all programming featuring at least one woman in a key creative role (director, producer, cinematographer, or screenwriter). The festival includes filmmaker Q&As, panel discussions, master classes, nightly parties, a daily hospitality lounge, and an awards ceremony recognizing achievements across multiple categories.
Notable past attendees include Olivia Wilde, Aaron Paul, Allison Janney, Kate Bosworth, Jesse Eisenberg, Josh Lucas, and Kevin Smith. The festival has partnered with Bono’s Product RED initiative, donating 25% of pass sales to the Global Fund to fight AIDS in Africa. The Cross brothers also founded the Los Cabos International Film Festival and operate Cross Pictures, a Los Angeles-based production company. Festival Director Corinne Hara has led programming since 2018.
