Hollywood's Elite Flock to Telluride for Star-Studded Mountain Affair

Olivia Bennett, 8/29/2025Hollywood’s elite descend on Telluride for a star-studded festival featuring a lineup of power-packed films, including two from the Beatles universe and projects by Richard Linklater. With music docs and high-profile attendees, it’s the ultimate Oscar precursor, running from August 29 to September 1.

Let's dish about what's making this year's festival absolutely irresistible. For starters, we're getting a delicious double helping of everything — two Beatles-adjacent films (because one simply wasn't enough), a pair of Josh O'Connor vehicles (be still my beating heart), and — wait for it — double doses of Richard Linklater. Heaven.

Julie Huntsinger, our beloved festival director, keeps insisting this is all about "community." Darling, when your idea of neighborhood watch includes Oprah popping by just because she can, you're definitely not in Kansas anymore.

The private jet situation between Venice and Telluride is about to get absolutely scandalous. George Clooney, Laura Dern, and — would you believe it — Adam Sandler are all making the hop for Noah Baumbach's "Jay Kelly." It's this deliciously meta piece about an aging actor contemplating his reflection (art imitating life, perhaps?). One can only imagine the mile-high gossip.

Emma Stone's back, sweeties, and this time she's brought another mind-bending creation from Yorgos Lanthimos called "Bugonia." Huntsinger didn't mince words: "It's his usual 'Oh my God, what was he thinking?' But darling, he's pushed Emma even further this time." The poor girl — what more could he possibly ask of her? Though let's be honest, their collaborations are always worth the price of admission.

Now, about that music lineup... Jeremy Allen White (yes, the same dreamboat who had us all considering culinary school last year) is channeling The Boss in "Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere." Word is, he's doing all his own singing — rather like that Chalamet boy in "A Complete Unknown." Brave souls, both of them.

The documentary selection? Divine. We're getting intimate portraits of everyone from Karl Lagerfeld (fashion's eternal enfant terrible) to E. Jean Carroll. Laura Poitras is bringing "Cover-Up," while Morgan Neville's serving up "Man on the Run" — a sumptuous peek into Paul McCartney's post-Beatles existence.

For those keeping tabs on awards season (and darling, aren't we all?), remember that Telluride's become the essential first stop on the road to Oscar glory. Last year's "Anora" practically swept the Academy Awards — though Huntsinger swears nobody saw that coming. Isn't it fabulous when even the experts can be surprised?

The crown jewel might just be Chloé Zhao's "Hamnet," starring Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley as William and Agnes Shakespeare. Would you believe this gem was conceived during a woodland stroll at Telluride back in '22? "It's a meditation on loss from a feminine perspective," Huntsinger shared, clearly smitten. "Shifts the narrative to Shakespeare's wife without diminishing anyone." Clever girl.

With 60 features from 30 countries, this year's feast is positively abundant. Sure, there are some notable no-shows — Paul Thomas Anderson's "One Battle After Another" is skipping the festival circuit entirely (but then again, when has he ever played by the rules?).

The festivities kick off August 29th and wrap September 1st, transforming this mountain haven into cinema's most elevated celebration. And yes, those $4,900 patron passes might make your accountant reach for the smelling salts, but darling — when has true exclusivity ever come cheap?

Darlings, pack those Prada ski boots and Gucci thermals — Telluride's transforming from snow bunny paradise to Hollywood's most coveted summer soirée. The 2025 lineup dropped Thursday, and honey, it's positively dripping with star power. Those pristine Colorado peaks won't know what hit them.Let's dish about what's making this year's festival absolutely irresistible. For starters, we're getting a delicious double helping of everything — two Beatles-adjacent films (because one simply wasn't enough), a pair of Josh O'Connor vehicles (be still my beating heart), and — wait for it — double doses of Richard Linklater. Heaven.Julie Huntsinger, our beloved festival director, keeps insisting this is all about "community." Darling, when your idea of neighborhood watch includes Oprah popping by just because she can, you're definitely not in Kansas anymore.The private jet situation between Venice and Telluride is about to get absolutely scandalous. George Clooney, Laura Dern, and — would you believe it — Adam Sandler are all making the hop for Noah Baumbach's "Jay Kelly." It's this deliciously meta piece about an aging actor contemplating his reflection (art imitating life, perhaps?). One can only imagine the mile-high gossip.Emma Stone's back, sweeties, and this time she's brought another mind-bending creation from Yorgos Lanthimos called "Bugonia." Huntsinger didn't mince words: "It's his usual 'Oh my God, what was he thinking?' But darling, he's pushed Emma even further this time." The poor girl — what more could he possibly ask of her? Though let's be honest, their collaborations are always worth the price of admission.Now, about that music lineup... Jeremy Allen White (yes, the same dreamboat who had us all considering culinary school last year) is channeling The Boss in "Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere." Word is, he's doing all his own singing — rather like that Chalamet boy in "A Complete Unknown." Brave souls, both of them.The documentary selection? Divine. We're getting intimate portraits of everyone from Karl Lagerfeld (fashion's eternal enfant terrible) to E. Jean Carroll. Laura Poitras is bringing "Cover-Up," while Morgan Neville's serving up "Man on the Run" — a sumptuous peek into Paul McCartney's post-Beatles existence.For those keeping tabs on awards season (and darling, aren't we all?), remember that Telluride's become the essential first stop on the road to Oscar glory. Last year's "Anora" practically swept the Academy Awards — though Huntsinger swears nobody saw that coming. Isn't it fabulous when even the experts can be surprised?The crown jewel might just be Chloé Zhao's "Hamnet," starring Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley as William and Agnes Shakespeare. Would you believe this gem was conceived during a woodland stroll at Telluride back in '22? "It's a meditation on loss from a feminine perspective," Huntsinger shared, clearly smitten. "Shifts the narrative to Shakespeare's wife without diminishing anyone." Clever girl.With 60 features from 30 countries, this year's feast is positively abundant. Sure, there are some notable no-shows — Paul Thomas Anderson's "One Battle After Another" is skipping the festival circuit entirely (but then again, when has he ever played by the rules?).The festivities kick off August 29th and wrap September 1st, transforming this mountain haven into cinema's most elevated celebration. And yes, those $4,900 patron passes might make your accountant reach for the smelling salts, but darling — when has true exclusivity ever come cheap?