Mountainfilm Showcases Colorado Artists During Annual Festival

TELLURIDE, Colo. (Feb. 29, 2024) – Telluride’s Mountainfilm Festival, the premier documentary film festival for change-makers, adventure-seekers, filmmakers, and activists, is pleased to announce its poster contest winner for the 2024 Mountainfilm Festival. 

Local Denver, Colo.-based artist, Noelle Phares, is the winner of this year’s Mountainfilm poster contest. Phares, an environmental scientist by training, brings a fresh perspective into her contemporary landscape paintings through examination of the tension between organic and synthetic. She creates fractured architectural landscapes that explore the ever-encroaching presence of humanity into previously pristine open spaces. Following the open call for Colorado artists last fall, her design was selected out of 40 total submissions and five finalists. Following the selection, Phares designed an original piece for the official Mountainfilm poster that includes  Telluride’s mountainscape to showcase the festival locale. 

“It was an honor to be asked to create the artwork for the 2024 Mountainfilm festival,” said  Phares. “As a visual storyteller myself, I wanted to paint a piece that acknowledges the symbiosis of humanity and nature in the vast landscapes around Telluride, highlighting the enduring beauty that Bridal Veil Falls brings to the head of the valley. The falls, as well as its mountainous backdrop, existed long before and will exist long after the film festival and its attendees make their mark. I hope the piece plays a small part in reminding those who gather in  celebration this May to be grateful for the gift of beauty those elements offer us as passersby in  this wise, old valley.” 
“Mountainfilm continues to ignite inspiration among both art and film enthusiasts,” remarked  Sage Martin, Executive Director of Mountainfilm. “From the poster contest to the Art Walk, we  take pride in showcasing the talents of local Colorado artists and creatives from around the  world using their platforms to raise awareness about prominent issues.” 

In addition to the poster contest, Mountainfilm annually collaborates on the selection of an artist-in-residence to craft a mural ahead of the festival. Past muralists have included renowned names such as Jean-René (JR), Gregg Deal, Zaria Forman, Shepard Fairey, Drew Ludwig, and  Chip Thomas. 

Throughout the festival, Mountainfilm also collaborates with Telluride Arts to provide a platform to celebrate and showcase the work of photographers, activists, and artists in galleries around town during the annual Mountainfilm Art Walk. Mountainfilm’s mission is to inspire audiences through film, art, and ideas to create a better world.  

Passes for the 2024 Mountainfilm Festival are on sale now. More information on this year’s  Mountainfilm Festival can be found at mountainfilm.org.

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Media Contact: 
Jessie Vandenhouten, Backbone