Brenda Macon
Brenda Macon

Here’s some movie trivia: What do “Terminator,” “Memento,” “Little Miss Sunshine,” “Eraserhead,” “Blair Witch Project” and “Blue Velvet” all have in common? Answer: These films were all low budget independent films made by unknown filmmakers who took their one shot and hit the mark. Each one is a Cinderella story and represents the great American dream: If you can dream it, with hard work, grit, determination and a little luck, you can have it all. This weekend we celebrate the small starts of great dreams during the Durango Independent Film Festival. You’re invited.

One of the things people love about Durango is that nobody cares what car you drive, what brand of shoes you wear or who you know. The town is not very status-driven, and this lack of ego adds to the charm. Because of this, we grow and attract talented people who really have no idea how impressive – and humble – they are. This week, there will be some starry-eyed filmmakers in town. You may notice them because of their strange forward fashion or the lanyards they are wearing around their necks. These are the future filmmakers and celebrities of the world. You might be having coffee with the next Quentin Tarintino, Christopher Nolan or Steven Spielberg this week and not even know it.

The cool part about not being mainstream (yet) is that indie filmmakers take risks. Their work is edgy, thoughtful, unrestrained and occasionally a little raw. Often this is where great things begin.

Whether you’re interested in social justice, animation, action adventure, or romance there is something here for you.

Here are three great reasons why you should attend this festival:

A young Durango filmmaker, Aiden Hurley, who is a Durango High School senior, already has a list of notable filmmaking accomplishments. His short, “The Station,” won best short film at this year’s Tombstone Western Film Festival. It’s a beautiful Western shot on 35 mm film. Hurley also made the last two DIFF trailers and as a seventh grader won best family film in 2018 for his short, “18 Frames.” His is a name you will want to remember. (Included in the “About a Boy” program, 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Animas City Theatre; 1 p.m. Sunday at the Gaslight.)I love music documentaries. There’s one about Abbey Road Studios called “If These Walls Could Sing,” directed by Mary McCartney, Paul McCartney’s daughter. He was apparently in a rather famous band called the Beatles. (Gaslight Theatre double screening at 6 p.m. Friday and 5 p.m. Saturday in theater 2 only.)And for something unusual, a special screening of the “Cabinet of Dr. Caligari,” which may have been the very first horror film in the 1920s. It will be presented with a live musical performance on piano by renowned pianist, composer and film director Tellef Johnson. (3 p.m. Saturday at Durango Arts Center; 1 p.m. Sunday at the Gaslight.)

Festival Director Cornelius Hurley offered his top picks for anyone who may be short on time: “Gringa,” a narrative feature; “The Thief Collector,” a feature documentary; “Oliver and the Pool” narrative feature; and “If These Walls Could Sing.” For adventure films, he recommends “Between Giants.” “If you can, swing by the DAC at 5 p.m. Friday to meet Travis Mills, who has remarkably made 12 Western feature films in only 12 months,” he said.

In the theatre
Durango Independent Film Festival: Three downtown locations: Durango Arts Center, Gaslight Theatre, Animas City Theatre. Tickets sold at www.durangofilm.org. Various showtimes between March 1-5, virtually between March 6-11.“Reefer Madness, The Musical”: 7:30 p.m. March 17-18, 24-25 and 31-April 1. 5 p.m. March 19, 26 and April 2.
Art classes and gallery events
Whimsical Wonderland, a community art exhibit featuring over 40 local artists. Free.Shop the Artisan’s Market. Open noon-6 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday.Mud Day Madness, begins Mar. 27. 6:30-8:30 p.m. $325.Figure Drawing with live model, begins March 28. 6-8 p.m. Ten classes, $225.Art of Painting, begins March 29. 10 a.m.-noon. $250.Magical Art & Happiness adult art classes begin April 6. 6-8 p.m. Six weeks, $200.Pots & Pints. 4:30-6 p.m. every Friday. $30.GOAL/BART: youth leadership intensives begin June 5/12, respectively. $275.Summer camps for theater and visual arts are now open for online registration.

Donate, become a member for discounts and to be a patron of the arts, register for classes, buy tickets, and keep in touch at DurangoArts.org and find things fast at https://linktr.ee/durangoartscenter.

Brenda Macon has been executive director of Durango Arts Center since 2018. Her background includes executive leadership training, business and art instruction.