You don’t need to be a film student. All you need is a consuming passion for film. Seize the opportunity to immerse yourself in dialogue with some of the greatest filmmakers out there, along with other students with similar enthusiasm. Our aim is to nurture your passion with the hope we will encourage the making of strong and inspired films for the many Telluride Festivals to come!

The STUDENT SYMPOSIUM is designed for college undergraduates and grad students; all majors are welcome. Fifty students, from around the country, are chosen to participate in a rigorous five days of screenings and cloistered seminars. Participants receive a special festival pass, a $200 travel stipend and special access to the likes of Tom Shadyac, George Lucas, David Lynch, Ken Burns, Ang Lee, Werner Herzog, Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall.

Student films are a part of every Telluride Film Festival. New student directors are given the opportunity to have their works shown in the company of other great talents and emerging artists.

The CITY LIGHTS PROJECT invites high schools to participate. Two dozen students and teachers attend the event and gain exposure to great films and filmmakers in a life-changing experience similar to the Student Symposium.

Interesting films, dynamic filmmakers, and the Colorado Rockies — can you beat this classroom?

“In five days, I saw the magic and the promise of the cinema, not only in the movies themselves, but also in the people around me.”
– 2002 Symposium Student

“I was a tad worried that I’d be surrounded by pretentious film snobs all weekend, but boy was I wrong!”
– 1997 Symposium Student