Vail Comedy Festival Brings $100,000 to Vail Village

$100,000 — that's what the FILM@Vail Comedy Festival will bring to Vail Village over Memorial Day Weekend. Mark Masters, event organizer and comedian, says this year's festival is bigger — with multiple features and a dozen short films from around the world.

Last year, Masters screened "Anxiety Club," a feature film about stand-up comedians, to help reduce the stigma of talking about mental health. This year, he's building on that success. Movies will be shown on a fourteen-foot-wide screen in the International Ballroom at The Lodge At Vail. The space will be transformed into a movie theater with a theater projection system, professional sound, and plenty of seats.

The festival is put on in partnership with SpeakUp ReachOut, a mental health non-profit in Eagle County. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a fact that's not lost on Masters. He's using the festival to bring attention to the issue.

The festival kicks off with "Before We Get Started," a feature-length documentary about a comic's existential crisis. Dozens of famous comedians are involved in the project, including John Oliver, Leslie Jones, and Jay Leno. Individual tickets are now available at vailcomedyfestival.com.

Isabel Hagen's directorial debut, "On A String," will also be screened. The film tells the quirky story of a working musician navigating her eccentric family and odd gigs in a big city. Hagen, a stand-up comedian and professional violist, says showing a character's anxieties on screen can be therapeutic. She'll join a virtual Q-and-A after the screening of her film.

This year's festival will also screen short films for the first time; including multiple international selections. One animated short from the UK was created by filmmaker Willy Fair, who grew up in Vail. The story of grief and acceptance is based on events that happened in the town.

Don Markus, creator of another short film selection, says he's excited to be part of a Colorado festival that's supporting comedy and bringing filmmakers into the mix. His project, a series of hilarious sketches, was shot locally.

The festival will be a family affair - Nick Vatterott, an Andy Kaufman Award winner, will perform. Make no mistake, this is a big deal for Vail Village. The festival will bring in visitors from around the world. and that means a boost to local businesses.

Masters isn't saying how much the festival cost to put on, but it's clear that it's a significant investment. The fact that he's able to bring in big names like John Oliver and Jay Leno suggests that he's got deep pockets.

Read that again; the festival is free for comedy festival pass holders. That's a big deal for locals who want to attend. But what about those who can't afford a pass? That's a question that Masters isn't answering.

The short version - this event is a big deal for Vail Village. It's bringing in visitors, supporting local businesses, and raising awareness about mental health. But what about the cost? That's a question that's still unanswered.

This year's festival will be worth watching. not just for the comedy, but for the impact it will have on the local community. The fact that it's partnering with a mental health non-profit is a significant one. It suggests that the festival is about more than just laughs, it's about raising awareness and supporting a good cause.

The festival starts on Memorial Day Weekend; and it's expected to draw in big crowds. Locals will want to plan ahead - book their tickets, make reservations at local restaurants, and get ready for the influx of visitors. This is a big deal for Vail Village. and it's not to be missed.

One thing is certain becomes: Success is likely for the festival. The fact that it's bringing in big names, supporting local businesses, and raising awareness about mental health is a winning combination. But what about next year? Will the festival be back; and if so, what can we expect? That's a question that only time will answer - but for now, it's clear that this year's festival is going to be one to remember.