The prestigious 51st Telluride Film Festival, set against the scenic backdrop of Colorado, USA, has unveiled its much-anticipated lineup for this year. Running from August 30 to September 4, this revered event promises a remarkable array of cinematic experiences that span diverse genres and international borders.
Indian director Payal Kapadia’s critically acclaimed film, *All We Imagine as Light*, is among the notable entries. The film, which recently clinched the Grand Prix at Cannes in May, will dazzle audiences in Telluride before its official U.S. theatrical release on November 15. *All We Imagine as Light* depicts the compelling story of two Kerala nurses navigating life in Mumbai, with stellar performances by Kani Kusruti and Divya Prabha. This poignant narrative underscores themes of cohabitation and survival in India’s bustling metropolis.
Another highlight is *Conclave*, a religious-political thriller starring Ralph Fiennes. The film is directed by Edward Berger, known for his work on *All Quiet on the Western Front*, and is adapted from Robert Harris’s best-selling novel. Set against the secretive process of electing a new Pope, *Conclave* follows Cardinal Lawrence, portrayed by Fiennes, offering viewers a gripping insight into the power dynamics within the Vatican.
Adding to the festival’s allure, four-time Oscar nominee Saoirse Ronan is set to receive a tribute honor. Known for her remarkable performances in films like *Atonement*, *Lady Bird*, and *Little Women*, Ronan joins the ranks of other cinema icons being celebrated at the event, including veteran editor Thelma Schoonmaker and French director Jacques Audiard. Ronan also stars in German director Nora Fingscheidt’s new drama, *The Outrun*. In the film, Ronan’s character, Rona, grapples with her return to Scotland’s Orkney Islands after overcoming alcoholism in London, offering a poignant exploration of personal recovery and homecoming.
The festival will also host the North American premiere of Pablo Larraín’s *Maria*, which features Angelina Jolie portraying opera singer Maria Callas. Additionally, Telluride will showcase the world premiere of the abortion drama *Zurawski v Texas*, Audiard’s musical crime comedy *Emilia Pérez*, and Malcolm Washington’s directorial debut, *The Piano Lesson*.
Julie Huntsinger, the festival’s director, emphasized the magical essence of the event. “This brief weekend of cinematic bliss reminds us every year that movies really are magic,” Huntsinger said in a statement. “The process of assembling our lineup is both daunting and rewarding, and it never fails to bring the most fantastic sense of satisfaction once we’re finished. Our anticipation matches that of the audience.”
The comprehensive lineup includes an eclectic mix of genres and narratives. Here is the full feature lineup in the main program:
– *ALL WE IMAGINE AS LIGHT* (Directed by Payal Kapadia, France-India-Netherlands-Luxembourg, 2024)
– *ANORA* (Directed by Sean Baker, U.S., 2024)
– *APOCALYPSE IN THE TROPICS* (Directed by Petra Costa, Brazil-U.S.-Denmark, 2024)
– *BETTER MAN* (Directed by Michael Gracey, Australia, 2024)
– *BIRD* (Directed by Andrea Arnold, U.K., 2024)
– *BLINK* (Directed by Daniel Roher, Edmund Stenson, U.S.-Canada, 2024)
– *CARVILLE: WINNING IS EVERYTHING, STUPID!* (Directed by Matt Tyrnauer, U.S., 2024)
– *CONCLAVE* (Directed by Edward Berger, U.K., 2024)
– *DISCLAIMER* (Directed by Alfonso Cuarón, U.K.-U.S., 2024)
– *DON’T LET’S GO TO THE DOGS TONIGHT* (Directed by Embeth Davidtz, South Africa, 2024)
– *EMILIA PÉREZ* (Directed by Jacques Audiard, France, 2024)
– *IN WAVES AND WAR* (Directed by Bonni Cohen, Jon Shenk, U.S., 2024)
– *JEAN COCTEAU* (Directed by Lisa Immordino Vreeland, U.
.S., 2024)
– *LEONARDO DA VINCI* (Directed by Ken Burns, Sarah Burns, David McMahon, U.S., 2024)
– *MARIA* (Directed by Pablo Larraín, Germany-Italy-U.S.-Hungary-France-Greece, 2024)
– *MARTHA* (Directed by R.J. Cutler, U.S., 2024)
– *MEMOIR OF A SNAIL* (Directed by Adam Elliot, Australia, 2024)
– *MISERICORDIA* (Directed by Alain Guiraudie, France-Spain-Portugal, 2024)
– *NICKEL BOYS* (Directed by RaMell Ross, U.S., 2024)
– *NO OTHER LAND* (Directed by Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Hamdan Ballal, Rachel Szor, Palestine-Norway, 2024)
– *ONE TO ONE: JOHN & YOKO* (Directed by Kevin Macdonald, U.K., 2024)
– *PIECE BY PIECE* (Directed by Morgan Neville, U.S., 2024)
– *SANTOSH* (Directed by Sandhya Suri, U.K.-Germany-France, 2024)
– *SATURDAY NIGHT* (Directed by Jason Reitman, U.S., 2024)
– *SEPARATED* (Directed by Errol Morris, U.S., 2024)
– *SEPTEMBER 5* (Directed by Tim Fehlbaum, Germany, 2024)
– *SOCIAL STUDIES* (Directed by Lauren Greenfield, U.S., 2024)
– *THE END* (Directed by Joshua Oppenheimer, Ireland-Germany-Italy-Sweden-Denmark-U.K., 2024)
– *THE FRIEND* (Directed by David Siegel, Scott McGehee, U.S., 2024)
– *THE OUTRUN* (Directed by Nora Fingscheidt, U.K.-Germany, 2024)
– *THE PIANO LESSON* (Directed by Malcolm Washington, U.S., 2024)
– *THE SEED OF THE SACRED FIG* (Directed by Mohammad Rasoulof, Germany-France-Iran, 2024)
– *THE WHITE HOUSE EFFECT* (Directed by Bonni Cohen, Jon Shenk, Pedro Kos, U.S., 2024)
– *WILL & HARPER* (Directed by Josh Greenbaum, U.S., 2024)
– *ZURAWSKI V TEXAS* (Directed by Maisie Crow, Abbie Perrault, U.S., 2024)
From Indian cinema to world cinema, Telluride continues to be a melting pot of creative storytelling, bringing together the finest films from across the globe. The festival serves as both a platform for showcasing extraordinary talent and a celebration of the magic of movies. As always, this year’s event promises to be a captivating experience for all who attend.
