🎬 Denver’s Quietest Festival Might Be Its Coolest Yet

This weekend, the city is trading explosions and CGI for title cards, live music, and the kind of movie magic that still knows how to make an entrance. If your ideal night out involves a little history, a little drama, and a lot of charm, this one’s worth a spot on your calendar.

The Denver Silent Film Festival is back at Sie FilmCenter from Friday, April 10 through Sunday, April 12, and honestly, this is one of those events that feels way cooler than the name even lets on. Every screening comes with live musical accompaniment, which means you’re not just watching a movie — you’re getting the full old-school cinematic experience the way these films were meant to be seen.

The lineup is stacked with restored classics, deep-cut discoveries, and a few titles with plots so dramatic they make modern group chats look tame. Friday kicks off with The Thief of Bagdad, starring Denver’s own Douglas Fairbanks, which gives the whole festival a nice hometown brag baked right in.

Saturday is packed from morning to night, with standouts like Pavement Butterfly, The Unknown, Shoes, and Joyless Street. It’s the kind of schedule where you could pop in for one film — then suddenly find yourself fully committed to an accidental silent-cinema marathon.

Sunday keeps the momentum going with Phil-for-Short, the short film program Breaking Plates and Smashing the Patriarchy, plus features like The Garden of Eden and Queen Kelly. Translation: whether you’re into romance, weirdness, social commentary, or a little glamorous chaos, there’s probably a screening with your name on it.

📍 Sie FilmCenter | ⏰ April 10–12 | 🎟️ Single tickets available; festival passes start at $75 for members and $85 for non-members

A festival pass is the move if you want to go full film buff mode — it gets you into the full weekend, plus panels, parties, and concession discounts. Just note that even with a pass, you’ll still want to reserve tickets for each screening ahead of time, because late seating isn’t allowed and sold-out screenings may only have limited standby spots.

This one feels tailor-made for Denverites who like their weekends a little artsy, a little offbeat, and a lot more memorable than just “grab drinks again.”

Wednesday, April 8

Thursday, April 9

Full-time

Denver makes dating easy—in the best way. Think sunset walks in LoHi, artsy wandering in RiNo Art District, garden strolls at Denver Botanic Gardens, or drinks and people-watching at Union Station. Casual, cozy, or a little romantic—Denver’s got a spot for it.

👉 Vote and we’ll share the top picks—chosen by locals—in an upcoming issue. 💌