Daniel Craig Leads Star-Studded Takeover at Denver Film Festival

Olivia Bennett, 10/7/2025The 48th Denver Film Festival dazzles with star power, featuring Daniel Craig in "Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery." With 136 diverse films, including Chloé Zhao's "Hamnet," and an impressive awards lineup, this festival marks Denver's rise as a cinematic destination. Tickets go on sale soon!

Let's dish about the headliner, shall we? Netflix's "Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery" is serving as the festival's crown jewel — and honey, it's a gem worth waiting for. Daniel Craig's drawling detective Benoit Blanc returns with a supporting cast that reads like an Oscar night guest list: Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, and Kerry Washington. Talk about an embarrassment of riches.

But don't think for a moment this is just another celebrity parade. The festival's real magic lies in its meticulously curated lineup of 136 features, documentaries, and shorts that would make any cinephile weak in the knees. Chloé Zhao's "Hamnet" pairs Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal in what's bound to be 2025's most talked-about Shakespeare adaptation. And darling, if you haven't heard whispers about Park Chan-wook's "No Other Choice," you simply haven't been paying attention.

Festival Artistic Director Matthew Campbell (no relation to the soup, though his programming is equally soul-warming) has outdone himself this year. "These films ask urgent questions," he notes, practically glowing with pride. And who can blame him? The selection is absolutely divine.

Speaking of divine, the awards roster this year? *chef's kiss* Lucy Liu snagging the John Cassavetes Award feels absolutely right. Delroy Lindo — that magnificent force of nature — is finally getting his flowers with the Next50 Career Achievement Award. And can we talk about Niecy Nash-Betts receiving the CinemaQ LaBahn Ikon Award? About time, darling. About. Time.

For the sports nuts (and in Denver, who isn't?), the festival's closing night is pure Mile High magic. "Elway" — Netflix's deep dive into our quarterback king's journey from Stanford to Super Bowl glory — will world premiere with the man himself in attendance. Expect more orange and blue in the audience than at a Broncos home game.

Denver Film CEO Kevin Smith (not the one who gave us "Clerks" — though wouldn't that be a twist?) has transformed this festival into something truly special. From the gilded halls of the Ellie Caulkins Opera House to the indie-cool vibes of the Sie FilmCenter, every venue feels like a temporary cathedral of cinema.

Mark your calendars, sweethearts: tickets drop October 5 for members and October 6 for everyone else. Word to the wise? Don't dawdle. These screenings will sell out faster than designer sample sales — and trust me, you don't want to be left out in the cold.

What we're witnessing here is more than just another film festival. It's Denver's coming-of-age story as a serious player in the entertainment world. In an age where everyone's glued to their phones watching TikTok snippets, there's something absolutely magical about gathering in the dark to share in the power of storytelling.

Darlings, this is what cinema dreams are made of. See you at the movies.

Darlings, Denver's about to get a whole lot more glamorous — and it's not just the mountain air making our heads spin. The 48th Denver Film Festival is rolling out the red carpet with enough star power to light up the Rockies, proving that Hollywood's love affair with the Mile High City is heating up faster than a summer day on the 16th Street Mall.Let's dish about the headliner, shall we? Netflix's "Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery" is serving as the festival's crown jewel — and honey, it's a gem worth waiting for. Daniel Craig's drawling detective Benoit Blanc returns with a supporting cast that reads like an Oscar night guest list: Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, and Kerry Washington. Talk about an embarrassment of riches.But don't think for a moment this is just another celebrity parade. The festival's real magic lies in its meticulously curated lineup of 136 features, documentaries, and shorts that would make any cinephile weak in the knees. Chloé Zhao's "Hamnet" pairs Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal in what's bound to be 2025's most talked-about Shakespeare adaptation. And darling, if you haven't heard whispers about Park Chan-wook's "No Other Choice," you simply haven't been paying attention.Festival Artistic Director Matthew Campbell (no relation to the soup, though his programming is equally soul-warming) has outdone himself this year. "These films ask urgent questions," he notes, practically glowing with pride. And who can blame him? The selection is absolutely divine.Speaking of divine, the awards roster this year? *chef's kiss* Lucy Liu snagging the John Cassavetes Award feels absolutely right. Delroy Lindo — that magnificent force of nature — is finally getting his flowers with the Next50 Career Achievement Award. And can we talk about Niecy Nash-Betts receiving the CinemaQ LaBahn Ikon Award? About time, darling. About. Time.For the sports nuts (and in Denver, who isn't?), the festival's closing night is pure Mile High magic. "Elway" — Netflix's deep dive into our quarterback king's journey from Stanford to Super Bowl glory — will world premiere with the man himself in attendance. Expect more orange and blue in the audience than at a Broncos home game.Denver Film CEO Kevin Smith (not the one who gave us "Clerks" — though wouldn't that be a twist?) has transformed this festival into something truly special. From the gilded halls of the Ellie Caulkins Opera House to the indie-cool vibes of the Sie FilmCenter, every venue feels like a temporary cathedral of cinema.Mark your calendars, sweethearts: tickets drop October 5 for members and October 6 for everyone else. Word to the wise? Don't dawdle. These screenings will sell out faster than designer sample sales — and trust me, you don't want to be left out in the cold.What we're witnessing here is more than just another film festival. It's Denver's coming-of-age story as a serious player in the entertainment world. In an age where everyone's glued to their phones watching TikTok snippets, there's something absolutely magical about gathering in the dark to share in the power of storytelling.Darlings, this is what cinema dreams are made of. See you at the movies.