Back by popular demand! You won’t want to miss the Stories Worth Telling Festival, an evening of inspiring short films. Be sure to join us as this festival returns to the Leadville’s historic Tabor Opera House on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, at 5 p.m.

This year’s films feature

• A former rock star pursuing a life with buffalo,
• Black teenagers tap dancing their way to adulthood in New Orleans,
• People overcoming personal struggles to achieve amazing athletic feats,
• And much more.

All films carry the festival’s values of compassion, innovation, adventure, and community. Buy your tickets today!

2023 FILMS

Peter Hogan – This film shares Peter Hogan’s story as he journeys from overdosing and living a life without hope to standing on the start line of the 2022 Colorado Trail Race with his bicycle.

One Buck Won’t Hurt – This coming of age story follows four Black teenagers from New Orleans, who support themselves by tap dancing for tips, into adulthood. It explores the reckless joys of youth and the bitter realities of growing up fast in the incarceration capital of the world.

The Alchemy of David – Artist-photographer David Michael Kennedy reflects on the state of his medium and wonders if the digital age has taken the magic out of making art.

Between Earth & Sky – In this award-winning film, renowned ecologist Nalini Nadkarni, who pioneered climbing techniques to study the rainforest canopy, turns her research question onto herself. After surviving a life-threatening fall from a tree, Nadkarni must understand the effects of disturbance and recovery throughout her life.

Leo & Chester – A sought-after rock star with a promising career, Leo turns his back on the industry to pursue a life on the land with a herd of buffalo.

JoJo – A Toad Musical – This film celebrates a creative and musical portrait of JoJo Nyaribo, a young nature lover and wildlife advocate, as he explores the meaning of biodiversity and stewardship in his own backyard.

Light Beams For Helena – Renowned freediver Helena Bourdillon explores her journey with depression, her ongoing mental health efforts, and what diving into the darkness of deep water has taught her about life and light.

Soñadora – As an immigrant, Vanessa Chavarriaga, is used to existing between two worlds: that of where she was born, in Colombia, and where she lives now in the United States. This story is for undocumented kids, immigrants, women, people of color, and all of those who fight to exist in spaces that were made without them.

ATTEND AND WIN A MELANZANA “GOLDEN TICKET”

If you love Melanzana and its soft, fleecy outdoor gear, come to the festival, and you could win reservation-free shopping! Melanzana is a festival sponsor, and at the show on Oct. 14th will choose 10 attendees at random to win Melanzana “Golden Tickets.”

If you are chosen, you can shop at Melanzana whenever you like instead of using the reservation system (maximum 1 item per ticket). It’s just one more reason to be some you come to the Stories Worth Telling Festival!

BUY TICKETS

Tickets to the Leadville festival cost $25 for adults and $15 for students ages 6-17. Tickets are free for children six and under. Buy your tickets today!

MORE ABOUT THE STORIES WORTH TELLING FESTIVAL

The Stories Worth Telling Festival is proud to announce growth after its initial festival last year. The short film festival program that will play in Leadville will also run on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023, at the Buffalo Rose in Golden, Colo. New this year is a Live Storytelling program on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023, programmed and hosted by Nick P Ross, storyteller and host of the Moth Storyslam, in Denver, Colo.

Stories Worth Telling Festival would like to thank their incredible partners that help to make this event happen: Colorado Office of Film and Television, City of Golden, City of Leadville, Visit Leadville-Twin Lakes, The Tabor Opera House, The Buffalo Rose, Spirit Builders, Superior Ink, Bivouac Coffee, Rapidgrass, Icelantic Skis, Zeal, Rhythm and Sails, Colorado Mountain College, Climax Molybdenum, Life Time Leadville Race Series, Melanzana, and Vero.

BUY TICKETS!