The Durango Independent Film Festival is a wonderful benefit of living in Durango. However, based on our recent experience, it feels like many of the working people or “second tier” in Durango can’t afford to see the most popular films. First-tier ticket-holders spend $250 to purchase a weekend pass – an amount out of reach for those of us who constitute the working class in Durango. We bought a six-punch pass for $60 to see two films that were playing together. The films were only shown twice – 9:30 a.m. Friday and 12:30 p.m. Sunday. The Friday show was inaccessible for most who are employed. We arrived more than an hour early Sunday to see “Martin’s Boat/The Rider” and “The Wolf” and were at the head of the second-tier line. After waiting an hour and a half, none of the second-tier ticket-holders were allowed in. Only first-tier fans were admitted as the theater filled to capacity.
We spent $60 for two films we were unable to see. For one of us, this is the second year in a row this has happened. This situation flies in the face of reason and fairness. We wish to be supporters of this event and believe the arts are a vital part of our community. Independent film festivals support small films, small productions and small budgets. However, given the elite pricing structure of the Durango Film Festival, many people are priced out. Is Durango becoming another Telluride or Aspen?
Perhaps 25 percent of every film’s admission should be reserved for second-tier ticket-holders, especially if they have been waiting outside for hours. The current pricing structure is exclusive and creates a situation where it is difficult to support events that community members of modest means are excluded from. The present situation is basically a tiered class system that benefits the wealthy. We strongly believe that this is not in the spirit of Durango and respectfully submit our opinion that the film festival’s admission structure should be changed to a more inclusive model.
Chris Chambers and Ryan Montgomery
Durango
