The Visions Rising: Pueblo Student Film Initiative is an innovative and community-driven program designed to amplify the voices of emerging filmmakers in Pueblo and surrounding communities. Rooted in principles of wellbeing, belonging, and inclusion, Visions Rising provides an empowering platform for young storytellers—particularly those from historically marginalized backgrounds—to showcase their creativity, develop their craft, and build lasting connections in the film industry.

At the heart of Visions Rising is the Colorado Rising Star Student Film Festival, an annual, student-focused event celebrating the vibrant and diverse stories of our region's next generation of filmmakers. This festival not only highlights student-created films but also fosters a sense of pride, representation, and community ownership over the cinematic arts. The winners of the student film festival will then have their film screened at the Pueblo Film Fest.

Throughout the year, Visions Rising offers free workshops and masterclasses led by film and media professionals, providing students with hands-on learning in areas such as directing, screenwriting, cinematography, editing, and career development. These workshops are intentionally designed to be accessible and culturally relevant, ensuring that students from all backgrounds see themselves reflected in the stories they tell and the professionals they learn from.

In addition to skill-building, the program creates meaningful opportunities for students to collaborate, network, and build community. Through mentorship, panel discussions, and networking events, students are encouraged to connect with peers, educators, and industry leaders who champion inclusive storytelling and equitable pathways into the film industry.

Visions Rising is more than a festival; it is a movement to nurture the creative potential of Pueblo’s youth, amplify underrepresented voices, and foster a new generation of diverse filmmakers who are empowered to tell their stories authentically and boldly.

More than just a film festival, Rising Stars is a platform for leadership, creativity, and real-world experience! Students gain hands-on skills in event planning, teamwork, and communication while showcasing 30+ incredible student films across multiple genres.

A nationwide opportunity for high school filmmakers to showcase their short films on the big screen at both the Rising Stars Colorado Film Festival and the Pueblo Film Festival —right here in Pueblo, CO!

📅 March 26-30 of 2025

📍 3/26 - Sangre De Cristo Arts Center (Comedy & Horror)

📍 3/27 - El Pueblo History Museum (Documentary)

📍 3/28 - BloBack Gallery (Drama & Animation)

📍 3/29 - Walking Stick Clubhouse (VIP Screening)

📍 3/30 - Rawlings Library 4th Floor (Awards Ceremony)