Never in a million years would I have believed that I would help start an international film festival in Castle Rock, Colorado. But alas, the first-ever, first-annual Castle Rock Film Festival kicked off with a private VIP night event on April 13, 2023, and culminated with a two-night celebration of independent film on April 14 & 15, 2023, at the Theatre of Dreams.

It’s the first time that someone had ever brought an international film festival to this town of 82,000, situated about halfway between Denver and Colorado Springs and just off Interstate 25. With the guidance of the Castle Rock Artist Cooperative — an organization that I founded in 2019 — nearly 90 independent films from six countries were submitted, and the event featured some excellent short films, experimental films, documentaries, and music videos.

One more bucket list item was achieved. Never stop dreaming, people. —Nick Lucey