STATE OF ART 8 | THRIVE 10-11 | VETERANS’ VOICE 26 | EVENTS 36-39
Vol. 4 No. 4
APRIL 11, 2025
• DIG DEEPER •
| COMMUNITY | ACCOUNTABILITY | CURIOSITY | CONNECTION |
SISFA
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By Gregory Howell, Pueblo Star Journal & Pueblo Regional Film Commission
‘As Easy As Closing Your Eyes’ and ‘An Old Friend’ Take Top Honors at 2025 SISFA Film Festival
he lights dimmed, the audience hushed, and when the final applause echoed through CSU-Pueblo’s Hoag Hall on March 22, two films had emerged as the biggest winners of the 14th Annual StoryMode Independent Short Film Awards (SISFA): As Easy As Closing Your Eyes and An Old Friend. The two-day celebration of independent cinema, held March 21–22 across multiple venues in Pueblo, drew filmmakers and fans from across the nation. With a slate of screenings, panels, and interactive events, this year’s festival—under the theme “This is your time. Your moment. Your story.”—delivered a powerful reminder that Pueblo continues to grow as a creative force in the national film landscape.
KickAss
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KickAss Film Fest Celebrates Creative Spirit at Sangre de Cristo Arts Center
Hosted by StoryMode Films and S & S Productions, SISFA 2025 featured more than 30 short films, documentaries, and a feature-length thriller—many from Colorado filmmakers—culminating in Saturday
wave of creativity and celebration took over the Sangre de Cristo Arts & Conference Center on Saturday, April 5, as filmmakers, actors, and film lovers gathered for the annual 72-Hour KickAss Film Fest Awards Ceremony. With the red carpet rolled out and the spotlight shining on Southern Colorado talent, the sold-out event was a tribute to the art of storytelling on a deadline. What makes the KickAss Film Fest unlike any other is its core challenge: each competing team has just 72 hours to write, shoot, and edit an original short film. But that’s not all. Every entry must incorporate a set of required creative elements—such as specific lines of dialogue, props, and character traits—pushing participants to be both inventive and resourceful under pressure. This year, 25 films were submitted, each offering a unique perspective and impressive production quality given the intense time constraint. Festival co-founders praised the filmmakers for their ingenuity and collabora-
SISFA continued on page 6
KICKASS continued on page 6
A Record Year for Pueblo’s Film Scene
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PFF
Pueblo Film Fest Shines Spotlight on Storytelling, Community, and Global Cinema
rom April 25 to 27, Pueblo, Colorado will roll out the red carpet for the inaugural Pueblo Film Fest, a new celebration of cinematic storytelling that brings together filmmakers and audiences from across the globe. Held over three days at three different venues—each chosen to highlight the diversity and creativity of Pueblo’s cultural landscape—the festival promises an immersive experience packed with thought-provoking narratives, inspiring documentaries, and groundbreaking experimental films. More than just a showcase of independent cinema, Pueblo Film Fest aims to spark a deeper connection between storytellers and the community. “At Pueblo Film Fest, our mission is to ignite a passion for storytelling through the art of cinema as we build the next generation of filmmakers,” said festival organizers in a statement. “We celebrate the diverse voices of filmmakers from around the world, from budding talents to seasoned auteurs.” PUEBLO FILM FEST continued on page 7