A day after the Catalina Film Festival, I flew to Colorado to attend the Breckenridge Film Festival. My film screened twice, once during the Children’s program and the next day at the Animation Program, and although I was there for less that two days, I cannot say enough good things about my time there. The atmosphere is laid-back, the city is inviting (except for the parking), both venues where I was shown were modern and the festival provides a lounge for filmmakers to meet and talk with other filmmakers with drinks and snacks provided. There was a party, and a brunch and the festival even provided a hotel room for the night so the only thing I had to think about while there was the festival and my film.

The Children’s program was held on Saturday and included several shorts geared toward kids. Because that screening was free to the public and they had activities for kids afterwards, it was well attended. I wish more festivals would provide similar “Children’s Programs” like this one because the term “Animation Program” is often misleading. Many animations are not intended for kids and others are often difficult to sit through, even if you’re an adult. Because the term “animation” is not well defined, you never know what you’re going to get within a festival setting.

The next day my film was shown during the animation program. It was a well-rounded variety of films showing off a variety of styles. Several of the films had won awards in other festivals, and I’m always interested in seeing what kinds of films get the distinction of being “award winners.” However, after seeing them, I’m left feeling confused. “Nubbinwood” usually gets audible reactions from the audience while it is playing and after screenings people will approach me with the look that you would associate with seeing a cute puppy. In the short time of viewing, audience members form an empathetic connection to my character. With “award winners” there is a kind of weird quiet in the theater that can only come from either intense interest, confusion or boredom. For me it is usually the latter.

The winning “animated” short was 80-90% live-action with animation added over the live action to enhance pages in a book. I can’t speak for the story of the short because it did not hold my attention long enough to care about what was going on, but the lack of animation was very conspicuous.

In the remainder of my limited time in Breckenridge, I was only able to make it to one other program, but it was the best group of short films I have seen in one place. I wish I could have had more time to see others. I left the festival feeling like I wanted to make another film so I could come back again next year and be around the community that the Breckenridge Film Festival creates.