The stars aligned for the kickoff of the 33rd Starz Denver Film Festival, literally, with both director John Cameron Mitchell and the recipient of this year's Excellence in Acting Award, Aaron Eckhart, on hand for the Red Carpet presentation of Rabbit Hole at the Ellie. The heartbreaking drama about a couple grieving the loss of their child gave Denver audiences an opportunity to see just what Eckhart is capable of beyond the delicious portrayals of bad guys for which he's thus far been acclaimed-and to experience his genuine charm in person, of course. After the post-screening Q&A the Denver Post's Lisa Kennedy conducted with Mitchell and Eckhart, the crowd repaired to the Seawell Ballroom for a Gala Reception, complete with ever-flowing wine, a piled-high buffet-and an impromptu serenade by Simply Irresistible, the karaoke maestro of The Rock 'n' Roll Dreams of Duncan Christopher, which screens this weekend.

It was an Opening Night so nice we're doing it twice-we'll see you this evening as we open the doors of the Denver FilmCenter/Colfax to you, our favorite festgoers, for the very first time!

-Ruth Tobias

11/3 at the RED CARPET