FILM FESTIVALS
Screenings & Events
Colorado Environmental Film Festival - Special Fall Solstice Film Screening
September 21, 2025 | Denver Botanic Gardens
The Future of Water & Agriculture in Colorado
A Northern Colorado MIRASOL Film Tour
Presented in partnership with
Enjoy the film with light bites and an expert panel discussion afterwards.
Join Palmer Land Conservancy and our partners for two FREE events to celebrate the future of water & agriculture in Northern Colorado with a special screening of MIRASOL, Looking at the Sun, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Ben Knight and produced by Palmer Land Conservancy.
In this poignant film, award-winning filmmaker Ben Knight challenges us to think about land and water use in the West through an intimate portrait of a rural farming community in Pueblo, Colorado, as they fight to protect their water and land, and in turn, their culture and livelihood.
A panel discussion will follow the film and feature voices from agricultural producers, policy influencers, and researchers focused on Northern Colorado’s pressing regional water challenges.
Two locations, Same great experience!
Monday
October 13
4 – 6 p.m.
Lincoln Center Magnolia Theater
Canyon West Room
417 W Magnolia St, Ft. Collins
With opening remarks by County Commissioner John Kefalas and closing remarks by County Commissioner Kristin Stephens.
Monday
November 3
5 – 7 p.m.
Northern Water
220 Water Ave, Berthoud
With opening remarks by County Commissioner Jody Shadduck-McNally.
Meet the Speakers
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Chris Goemans
Dr. Chris Goemans is a professor in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics at Colorado State University. His research focuses on the allocation and management of scarce resources, specifically water. Past efforts include studies investigating the impacts of water transfers on regional economies, the relationship between climatic variability, population growth, and the effectiveness of various water management schemes; optimal demand management strategies during periods of drought; and estimating the impact of drought on various economic outcomes.
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Todd Olander
The Olander Farm is a Centennial Farm located just outside of Loveland in Larimer County. As the 5th generation, Todd Olander is the latest in his family to uphold a rich farming tradition, growing a variety of crops, including barley and corn. To build upon the irrigated farming operation, Todd and his wife Emily started Root Shoot Malting 10 years ago. Root Shoot processes local barley and other grains for sale to over 100 craft breweries and distillers in Colorado. The Olander family protected their farm and water rights with a perpetual conservation easement in 2022, ensuring that their land would remain a working farm for generations to come.
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Robert Sakata
The Colorado Department of Agriculture hired Robert Sakata to serve as the first Agricultural Water Policy Advisor, a position which was created as a result of funding approved during the 2023 legislative session to engage in all aspects of Colorado water that include municipal and industrial users as well as agriculture.
Sakata is President of Sakata Farms Inc. in Brighton, Colorado which was started by his father Bob, and currently cares for 2,500 acres of irrigated farm ground between Brighton, Platteville and Hudson. He attended the University of Colorado studying Molecular Cellular & Developmental Biology and child psychology.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife Partners in the Outdoors Conference | April 22, 2025 | Colorado Springs, CO
Water in Colorado: A Community Conversation | April 21, 2025 | Pueblo, CO
Screening and Conversation - Mirasol, Looking at the Sun at the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum | April 12, 2025 | Colorado Springs, CO
Flagstaff Mountain Film Festival | April 3-6, 2025 | Flagstaff, AZ
Arkansas River Basin Water Forum | March 5, 2025 | Pueblo, CO
Screening of Mirasol, Looking at the Sun at St. Vrain and Left Hand Water Conservancy District Annual Water Symposium | February, 27, 2025 | Longmont, CO
Rocky Ford Screening of Mirasol, Looking at the Sun | February, 12, 2025 | Rocky Ford, CO
Walking Mountains Sustainable Film Series | January, 7, 2025 | Edwards, CO
Coast Film & Music Festival | November 16, 2024 | Laguna Beach, CA
Rio Reels Film Festival | November 15, 2024 | Monte Vista, CO
Pikes Peak docuFEST | October 19, 2024 | Colorado Springs, CO
MIRASOL Screening at zoneFIVE | October 18, 2024 | Colorado Springs, CO
Breckenridge Film Festival | September 20-21, 2024 | Breckenridge, CO
Crested Butte Film Festival | September 20, 2024 | Crested Butte, CO
Denver Premiere of MIRASOL | September 18, 2024 | CSU Spur Center
MIRASOL y Mercado: Film & Farmer's Market | September 13, 2024 | Pueblo, CO
Bike the Bessemer Farmland Tour (ride, lunch, and film) | September 7, 2024 | Pueblo, CO
MIRASOL Screening at Colorado State University’s Ag Week | September 4, 2024 | Fort Collins, CO
MIRASOL at the Colorado State Fair - Pueblo Chile Day | August 31, 2024 | Pueblo, CO
MIRASOL at the Colorado State Fair - Governor’s Plate | August 27, 2024 | Pueblo, CO
MIRASOL at Palmer Lake Chautauqua | July 29, 2024 | Palmer Lake, CO
Maine Outdoor Film Festival | July 26, 2024 | Portland, ME
Salida Premiere of MIRASOL | July 18, 2024 | SteamPlant | Salida, CO
Cocktails and MIRASOL at SCP Hotel | June 25, 2024 | Colorado Springs, CO
MountainFilm Film Festival | May 25-26, 2024 | Telluride, CO
Colorado Springs Premiere and Fundraiser Gala | May 21, 2024 | Colorado Springs, CO
Free Community Screening of MIRASOL | May 9, 2024 | Pueblo, CO
Pueblo Film Festival | April 28, 2024 | Pueblo, CO
5Point Adventure Film Festival | Changemakers Film Program | April 27, 2024 | Carbondale, CO
Pueblo Film Premiere | April 25, 2024 | Pueblo, CO
Big Sky Film Festival | February 2024 | Missoula, MT
Past Screenings
Watch The trailer
