(PUEBLO, Colo.) — The inaugural Pueblo Film Festival is happening this year, from April 26 to April 28, where attendees can view brand new short films, documentaries, and more. Jeff Madeen, owner of the Blo Back Gallery in Pueblo, first had the idea for a film festival in Pueblo in 2022.

“I had an idea in 2022—I said, ‘Let’s do a film festival!’ There is a history of film festivals in Pueblo.” He wanted to do a short film festival—nothing over 40 minutes. “So, I tapped these different people that are in the community that have the chops to help put [it] together.”

Courtesy: Blo Back Gallery, Jeff Madeen

Films have been submitted to the Pueblo Film Festival’s adjudicators from all over the world. One hundred and twenty-six films, including films from 6 other countries besides the U.S., were judged for entry into the festival. Madeen said they expect about 15 filmmakers to be in attendance for the festival.

Things kick off on Friday, April 26, with a launch party at 7 p.m., where attendees will enjoy a performance by Pueblo-based band Spyderland, and film screenings by the Youth Documentary Academy.

On Saturday, April 27, there will be a red-carpet event at 7 p.m. where trophies will be given out. The trophies are called “Steelies” because Pueblo is called Steel City. There will be a show featuring host and comedian Sonny G as well as performances by Jeremy Kitchen, & Underground Improv.

Courtesy: Sangre de Cristo Arts & Conference Center

Then on Sunday, April 28, the festival winners’ films will be shown, along with a film called MIRASOL, a short film about Pueblo chilis, sponsored and paid for by the Palmer Land Trust. There will also be a screening of a never-before-seen TV Pilot from film & TV stars Dennis Leoni and Tony Plana, who will be available to answer questions after the pilot is shown.

Awards will be given for Best Narrative Short, Best Documentary Short, Best Experimental Short, Best Mini Short, Best Micro Short, People’s Choice for Best Student Film, People’s Choice for Best of PFF, Best Cinematography, Colorado Short Award, and PFFs Filmmaker to Watch Award.

Early bird tickets for the Pueblo Film Festival are on sale now. The festival will be held at Sangre de Cristo Arts & Conference Center, 210 North Santa Fe Avenue in Pueblo.

“We are all into growing the festival, making it better,” Madeen said.