The festival presents cannabis- and hemp-themed films, music videos, screenplays, music and photography, chosen by a team of three to eight judges. It is run by Infinite Perimeter Films, a project of the Association of International Activist Filmmakers, which also runs activism and sci-fi festivals.
The festival dates back to 2018, when its first event took place at Denver Open Media in Denver, Colorado. The 2019 event took place at The Bug Theater in Denver; editions from 2020 are online. The name Colorado International Cannabis & Hemp Film Festival applies to the 2018–2021 editions, and the current name from 2022. The last edition took place online from 28 April to 21 May 2023. The organisers state that the festival is on hold and is not expected to reopen soon.
Festival rules
Submissions are made through FilmFreeway. The festival accepts short and feature-length films, music videos, screenplays, music and photography. Non-English-language films and music videos need English subtitles. Submissions must be the original work of the submitter.
Music videos must be music-led: one single track from start to finish, with the musician and song title in the title and in the on-screen credits. A highly visual film with music added to illustrate it is submitted as a regular film entry. Script submissions need a cover page; a script under a pen name needs the organisers' approval before submission.
After selection, the media file must be downloadable through FilmFreeway or Vimeo. Submitters grant the organisers a non-exclusive licence to use titles, trailers, posters and other materials for festival promotion only and keep all rights to their work. The organisers screen selections from award winners, finalists and semi-finalists, and not every official selection is screened. Refunds are decided by the organisers; non-selection is not a valid reason for a refund.
