Denver Digerati: Experimental Media Festival

The Digerati Experimental Media Festival marks its 10th year in 2025. The festival, which runs September 16 to 21, 2025, has undergone significant changes since its early days, when it focused solely on digital animation. It now welcomes artists working in experimental film, video art, performance, sound, analog processes, and every kind of hybrid media practice in between.

This year’s theme is Obscura, as in the camera obscura — the dark spaces where the medium came to life, and the intersections of cinema, animation, and photography. Also, what it means to stay hidden, or to reveal just enough.

Some of these works use abstraction or fragmentation, others challenge narrative or structure, some subvert by refusing clarity altogether. What connects them is a kind of resistance, something you can feel more than you can articulate.

The program includes 42 shorts, one feature, and a live performance evening. Each film will screen only once, and the program is designed to be experienced in its entirety to fully engage in the conversation between the works.

Two of the films in this year’s lineup are US premieres and are already in contention for major awards.

Events will take place at the Denver Art Museum, the Sie Film Center, and the Digital Armory.

Most events are FREE, a few are ticketed, and a festival pass ($99) is available that grants you access to everything with some special VIP privileges.

See the complete event calendar here.

You don’t need to “get” experimental media. If you’re open to surprise, discomfort, or a little weirdness, just come see what lands. If you’re curious, come. If you’re unsure, come anyway.