Denver, CO — April 8, 2025 — The Pueblo Film Fest team & High School Student filmmakers proudly attended the bill signing ceremony for Colorado House Bill 25-1005, the Tax Incentive for Film Festivals, at the Governor's Mansion. This landmark legislation, signed into law by Governor Jared Polis, establishes tax incentives aimed at bolstering Colorado's film festival industry and attracting renowned festivals to the state.​

HB25-1005 introduces refundable tax credits designed to encourage major film festivals, such as the Sundance Film Festival, to relocate to Colorado. The bill offers up to $34 million in tax credits over a decade to qualifying global film festivals that move to the state by January 1, 2026. Additionally, it allocates $5 million in tax credits to support existing and smaller Colorado-based film festivals like the Pueblo Film Fest.

"At Pueblo Film Fest, our mission is to ignite an international passion for storytelling through the art of cinema as we build the next generation of filmmakers.  We celebrate the diverse voices of filmmakers from around the world, from budding talents to seasoned auteurs. Our festival serves as a vibrant platform, connecting artists with audiences and fostering a sense of community. Through thought-provoking narratives, captivating documentaries, and innovative experimental works, we aim to inspire, entertain, and provoke meaningful conversations. Pueblo Film Fest is committed to nurturing the cinematic arts, promoting cultural exchange, and shining a spotlight on how to have conversations across lines of difference. The festival makes a powerful economic impact and serves to provide both representation and inspiration to Southern Colorado and beyond!" stated Jeff Madeen, Board of Trustees, Chair for the Pueblo Festival.

"We are incredibly grateful to the State of Colorado for this support, not only for the Sundance Film Festival, but also for the many film festivals that have spent decades building and nurturing a rich cultural landscape in Colorado. This investment highlights the invaluable role the state plays in cultivating creative industries that both enrich our culture and drive the economy," said Ebs Burnough, Sundance Institute Board Chair.

It was a powerful moment when Amanda Kelso, Sundance Institute Acting CEO mentioned the High School students who attended by name -- Sophia Macias(Denver), Gabriella Marinace(Denver), and Sunny Wiggins(Pueblo) applauding their dreams and hard work.

The Pueblo Film Fest team believes that this legislation will significantly enhance the state's cultural landscape and provide substantial economic benefits. By attracting prominent festivals who intend to support local events, Colorado is poised to become a premier destination for filmmakers and enthusiasts alike.​

In alignment with this vision, the Pueblo Film Fest invites the potential to collaborate with the Sundance Institute through our student film initiative, the Rising Stars Colorado Student Film Festival. This program is dedicated to nurturing the creative potential of high school filmmakers by providing a platform to showcase their work and develop their skills. Partnering with the Sundance Institute, renowned for its commitment to emerging filmmakers through programs like Sundance Ignite, would offer invaluable mentorship and resources to these young artists. It's only a hope at this point, but as the High School Students in the PFF program encourage --- "you miss 100% of the shots you don't take." Such a collaboration would not only elevate the quality of student filmmaking in Colorado but also contribute to a more inclusive and diverse film community. (  ​Pueblo Film Fest )

The Pueblo Film Fest remains committed to contributing to Colorado's vibrant arts community and looks forward to the positive impact this legislation and potential partnerships will have on the state's film industry.​

Contact: Pueblo Film Fest Team at PuebloFilmFest@Gmail.com or Festival Director Andréa Naglich at (719)250-7971