There is no better way to attend Telluride than as a passholder. There's no hassle: one purchase in advance entitles you to seating at the theatres, films and events on a first-come, first-served basis. Year after year, cinephiles with appetites for champagne movies brave the Festival on a light beer budget. If the Festival Pass is not affordable for you, there are two options: a Cinephile pass for $390 giving you admission to a special menu of Festival morsels, and the Acme Pass, priced at the special rate of $580. The Acme offers nearly the full Festival experience in one of our best venues — Chuck Jones' Cinema.

• Here's the scoop on attending on a real 'show' string:
• The noon Seminars in Elks Park are free
• The 'Conversations' in the County Courthouse are free
• The four film screenings — one each night — in the Open Air Cinema are free
• The three ‘Filmmakers of Tomorrow’ programs are free
• Films at the Backlot, located in the Library are free
• The LATE SHOW PASS, the last film at two different theatres each day, four films for $100. This is quite a bargain, bearing in mind that individual film tickets cost $35 each.

Note: All nine indoor theatres put individual tickets on sale ten minutes before showtime if there are seats available after passholders have been seated.

Reasonably priced campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Telluride has more than its share of gourmet dining, but it also has great pizza, ribs, burritos, salads, burgers and plenty of popcorn!

How to fest without a pass, click here for guidelines (PDF). Visit the Hospitality Center in Brigadoon during the Festival for a detailed handout of shows and tips.