EFPalooza 2026 is a three-day film festival celebrating The Emerging Filmmaker's Project, the home of Denver’s independent film scene since 2002. Hosted at the historic Bug Theatre, the event will showcase the work of local filmmakers, featuring favorites from past years as well as several EFP premieres, with the filmmakers in attendance to take part in a spirited ‘talkback’ with the audience.
Festival Details
📅 Thursday, October 15th: EFPalooza kicks off with the October edition of The Emerging Filmmakers Project at 7:00pm. Admission includes free beer (21+ with valid ID) courtesy of our sponsor, Ratio Beerworks.
📅 Friday, October 16th: Two blocks of short films at 6:00pm and 8:30pm
📅 Saturday, October 17th: Four blocks of short films at 12:00pm, 2:30pm, 6:00pm, and 8:30pm
🍻 Saturday Filmmaker Happy Hour: 4:30pm–5:30pm at Acova, right across the street from The Bug. Mingle with filmmakers and order from Acova's happy hour menu.
🕢 Doors: 30 minutes before each block.
📍 Location: The Bug Theatre, 3654 Navajo Street, Denver, CO 80211
🎟️ Tickets: $5 for Thursday's opening night; $10 per block or $15 per day for Friday and Saturday; or $25 for a full festival pass
🔗 More Info: bugtheatre.org
Lineup to be announced and subject to change.
How Tickets Work
EFPalooza has flexible ticket options, so you can catch one block, spend a whole day with us, or see the entire festival.
Thursday, October 15th (Opening Night): $5, available at the door only. Admission includes free beer (21+ with valid ID) courtesy of Ratio Beerworks.
Friday, October 16th and Saturday, October 17th: $10 per block, or $15 for a day pass that gets you into every block that day.
Full Festival Pass: $25. One pass covers admission to every block all weekend, including Thursday's opening night.
Doors open 30 minutes before each block. The Saturday Filmmaker Happy Hour at Acova (4:30pm–5:30pm) is free to attend. Food and drinks can be purchased from Acova's happy hour menu.
EFPalooza 2026 takes place October 15th, 16th, and 17th at The Bug Theatre (3654 Navajo Street, Denver, CO 80232), with screenings at 7:00pm on October 15th, at 6:00pm and 8:30pm on October 16th, and at 12:00pm, 2:30pm, 6:00pm, and 8:30pm on October 17th. Tickets are $5 for Thursday, $10 a block or $15 a day for Friday and Saturday, or a full festival pass can be purchased for $25. To learn more visit www.bugtheatre.org.
The Bug Theatre and EFPalooza 2026 are supported by the Scientific & Cultural Facilities District (SCFD), Ratio Beerworks, Plan 9 Studios, Twelve Monkeys Dancing Films, Nebulus Visions Multimedia, and cool cats everywhere.
