Telluride MountainFilm Festival: Our Expert Visitor's Guide

The Telluride Mountainfilm Festival: What Makes It So Special

Each Memorial Day weekend, as the rivers rush with snowmelt and green returns to the San Juan high country, Telluride becomes a gathering place for filmmakers, adventurers, activists, and artists. Mountainfilm is more than a film festival—it's a celebration of stories that move the needle toward action. With a mission to inspire audiences to create a better world through the power of film, art, and ideas, the festival combines breathtaking films with passionate dialogue, creating an experience that’s intellectually rich, emotionally stirring, and visually unforgettable.

Where is The Telluride MountainFilm Festival?

The festival takes place in the box canyon town of Telluride, Colorado, surrounded by 13,000-foot peaks, historic buildings, and cascading waterfalls. Venues range from the historic Sheridan Opera House to intimate panel spaces, plus scenic outdoor screenings under the stars.

The History of The Telluride Mountainfilm Festival

Founded in 1979 by a group of climbers and outdoorspeople, Mountainfilm originally celebrated mountaineering culture. Over time, it expanded into one of the world’s most respected documentary festivals, embracing topics like environmental justice, Indigenous rights, climate change, and cultural heritage—all while staying grounded in its adventurous roots.

Visiting The Telluride MountainFilm Festival Today

This year marks the 47th anniversary of Mountainfilm, a testament to the festival's staying power and its ever-deepening relevance in a world that’s increasingly shaped by environmental, social, and cultural change. At the center of this long-standing tradition is its Minds Moving Mountains speaker series—an anchor of the festival that pairs powerful storytelling with thought leadership that sparks real-world action.

Minds Moving Mountains rises to meet the moment with a lineup that feels both urgent and hopeful. This year’s series shines a spotlight on Indigenous voices and conservation leaders, many of whom are on the front lines of climate action, land stewardship, and cultural preservation. These speakers bring with them a deep well of knowledge—some rooted in generations of ancestral wisdom, others born from cutting-edge ecological science. Together, they reflect a growing recognition that the most resilient solutions often emerge from the intersection of tradition and innovation.

Expect keynote talks and panel discussions that challenge colonial narratives, offer grounded visions for land back movements, and explore the role of storytelling in healing both ecosystems and communities. These are not passive presentations—they’re active invitations to rethink our relationship with nature and each other.

Mountainfilm is open-hearted and community-driven. Pack layers, wear sturdy shoes, and don’t be afraid to join a conversation with a stranger. Respect for the land and local culture is part of the ethos, so tread lightly, recycle, and support local businesses.

The Telluride MountainFilm Festival Weather & Climate

Late May in Telluride brings cool mornings, sunny afternoons, and the occasional mountain storm. Expect daytime highs in the 50s–60s°F and chilly nights. Dress in layers and bring a waterproof jacket—you’ll be thankful during an outdoor screening.

Getting To & Around The Telluride MountainFilm Festival

Telluride is remote, but accessible. Most visitors fly into Montrose (MTJ) or Durango (DRO), then drive or shuttle to town. Once here, the gondola, walking paths, and free shuttles make getting around easy—and car-free.

Our Favorite Tours & Excursions Near The Telluride MountainFilm Festival

If you’re looking to explore beyond the theater seats, consider booking an off-day adventure. Some of our favorite spring and early summer tours include:

• Telluride Waterfall Jeep Tour – Perfect for witnessing the spring thaw in action.

• Telluride Via Ferrata Adventure – A bucket-list climb along a cliffside iron road.

• Half-Day Telluride eBike Tour – Cruise scenic trails and backroads with ease.

• Rafting on the San Miguel River – Enjoy the melt-off of the San Miguel River.

In a world that often feels fractured, Mountainfilm offers a moment of unity and clarity—a chance to connect with ideas that matter and to find hope in the resilience of the human (and planetary) spirit. And with Telluride’s raw beauty on full display in late May, it’s hard not to leave changed, recharged, and ready to make a difference.