48th Telluride Film Festival


The 48th Telluride Film Festival took place from September 2–6, 2021 in Telluride, Colorado, United States. After the cancellation of the previous year's event due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Colorado, the festival required proof of vaccination, a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours and masks worn indoors to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Director Barry Jenkins, who previously annually has curated the festival's Calling Cards and Great Expectations programs, was appointed as this year's guest director. Telluride honored Riz Ahmed, Jane Campion, and Peter Dinklage as the awardees of the Silver Medallion. Film historian Annette Insdorf received the Special Medallion award. Luke Dorman, Meow Wolf’s Lead Graphic Designer, was chosen as the creative behind the edition's poster.

Official selections

Guest Director's Selections

The films were selected and presented by the year's guest director, Barry Jenkins.

Filmmakers of Tomorrow

Student Prints

The selection was curated and introduced by Gregory Nava. It selected the best student-produced work around the world.
TitleDirectorProduction universitie
Bad OmenSalar PashtoonyarYork University
BitchBertille EstramonInstitut des Arts de Diffusion
Close Ties to Home CountryAkanksha CruczynskiColumbia College Chicago
Lakutshon' ilanga Phumi MorareChapman University
Love, DadDiana Cam Van NguyenFilm and TV School of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague
No es ella Samuel González VeraEscuela Internacional de Cine y Televisión
Soft AnimalsRenee ZhanNational Film and Television School
SpacesNora ŠtrbováFilm and TV School of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague

Calling Cards

The selection was curated by Barry Jenkins. It selected new works from promising filmmakers.
TitleDirectorProduction countrie
I Am Afraid to Forget Your FaceSameh AlaaEgypt, France, Qatar, Belgium
Motorcyclist's Happiness Won't Fit Into His SuitGabriel HerreraMexico
Play It SafeMitch KalisaUnited Kingdom
SideralCarlos SegundoBrazil, France
Spirits and Rocks: An Azorean MythAylin GökmenSwitzerland, Portugal
What RemainsDaniel SoaresPortugal

Great Expectations

The selection was curated by Barry Jenkins.
TitleDirectorProduction countrie
Easter EggsNicolas KeppensBelgium, France, Netherlands
My Own LandscapesAntoine ChaponFrance
Noir-SoleilMarie LarrivéFrance
Terra IncognitaPernille Kjaer, Adrian DexterDenmark
The VandalEddie AlcazarUnited States

Backlot

The selection included behind-the-scene movies and portraits of artists, musicians, and filmmakers.
TitleDirectorProduction countrie
Andrei Tarkovsky: A Cinema PrayerAndrei TarkovskyItaly, Russia, Sweden
Bernstein's WallDouglas TirolaUnited States
Dark FramesTom ThurmanUnited States
EdnaEryk RochaBrazil
Joyce Carol Oates: A Body in the Service of MindStig BjörkmanSweden
Land of GoldJon ElseUnited States
Songs for DrellaEd LachmanUnited States
Stay Prayed UpD.L. Anderson, Matt DurningUnited States
The Story of LookingMark CousinsUnited Kingdom
Three Minutes – A LengtheningBianca StigterNetherlands, United Kingdom
The Village Detective: A Song CycleBill MorrisonUnited States

Silver Medallion

Special Medallion