Colorado Dragon Boat Film Festival celebrates AANHPI communities

Denver Film and Colorado Dragon Boat partner to present the 11th annual festival highlighting Asian and Asian American culture through film, fashion, and art.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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The Colorado Dragon Boat Film Festival, a three-day all Asian and Asian American film festival, is returning to Denver's Sie FilmCenter from March 20-22. The festival, now in its 11th year, is programmed with the theme 'Threads of Connection' and will celebrate the rich cultures and experiences of AANHPI (Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander) communities through film, fashion, art, food, and community conversations.

Why it matters

The Colorado Dragon Boat Film Festival is the only all Asian and Asian American film festival in Colorado, providing a platform to showcase diverse stories and perspectives from AANHPI communities. The festival aims to build bridges of awareness, knowledge, and understanding between the AANHPI community and the general public.

The details

The festival will feature a diverse lineup of films, including the opening night presentation of the animated time travel fantasy 'The Girl Who Stole Time' and the closing night screening of the comedic thriller 'Forge'. In addition to the film screenings, the festival will host two creative conversations, a fashion show, a cultural marketplace, a culinary experience, and live Q&As with filmmakers.

  • The Colorado Dragon Boat Film Festival will take place from March 20-22, 2026.
  • The festival's Opening Night is on Friday, March 20.
  • The festival will conclude on Sunday, March 22.

The players

Denver Film

A nonprofit organization that has been transforming and entertaining the Colorado community through the power of diverse voices in film since 1978.

Colorado Dragon Boat

A 501(c)3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to build bridges of awareness, knowledge, and understanding between the AANHPI community and the general public through cultural education, leadership development, and athletic competition.

Sara Moore

The Executive Director of Colorado Dragon Boat.

Courtney Ozaki-Durgin

The Founder of Japanese Arts Network, who will moderate the 'Art & Ancestry' community conversation.

Richi Ramos

The moderator of the 'Cultural Threads - AANHPI Voices in Fashion' community conversation.

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What they’re saying

“This year's theme, Threads of Connection, is a celebration of how film, fashion and art bring us together across cultures and generations.”

— Sara Moore, Colorado Dragon Boat Executive Director (Denver7)

What’s next

The Colorado Dragon Boat Film Festival will continue to showcase diverse stories and perspectives from AANHPI communities through its annual programming.

The takeaway

The Colorado Dragon Boat Film Festival provides a vital platform to amplify the voices and experiences of AANHPI communities, fostering greater understanding and connection within the broader Colorado community.