Telluride Film Festival Opens with Star-Studded Patron Brunch and ‘Wild Horse Nine’ Premiere

The 53rd Telluride Film Festival officially commenced on Friday, kicking off with the highly anticipated annual Patron Brunch. This exclusive gathering brought together the festival’s biggest-name talent and premier supporters, followed by the prestigious Patron Preview screening of one of the event’s most highly anticipated films.

A star-studded lineup attended the brunch, featuring notable figures such as Andrew Scott of Elsinore, Jesse Eisenberg (director and star of The Debut), Julianne Moore, Rami Malek (The Man I Love), and Wild Horse Nine cast members John Malkovich and Sam Rockwell. Additionally, Danny Boyle (Ink) and Jack O’Connell, Sandra Hüller (Fatherland, Rose), Ron Howard (Avedon), and Léa Seydoux—who is starring in a record-breaking three festival films this year (Alpha Gang, Gentle Monster, and The Unknown)—were all present.

A significant contingent from the Club Kid team was also in attendance, including director and star Jordan Firstman, alongside stars Cara Delevingne and Diego Calva, and scene-stealer Colleen Camp, well-known for hosting her own glamorous awards-season events.

Legendary filmmaker Mike Leigh, writer and director of Tender Loving Care, was unable to attend the festival in person due to his age and fragile health. However, his presence was felt through his film’s entire principal cast, with the exception of Kate O’Flynn. In a playful nod, Leigh was “present” in spirit via special “A Film by Mike Leigh” hats distributed to brunch attendees by the film’s distributor, Bleecker Street.

Among the attendees, some are festival regulars, such as Danny Boyle, who has previously attended with Slumdog Millionaire, 127 Hours, and Steve Jobs. Others, like Julianne Moore, returned after decades away, having last visited the festival in 1994 for Vanya on 42nd Street. Interestingly, a few veteran filmmakers were attending the festival for the first time, including legendary cinematographer Caleb Deschanel, who attended as part of the team behind the upcoming animated film Wildwood, clips of which are being showcased at the event.

The teams behind Ink and Wild Horse Nine were still adjusting to the high altitude after traveling directly from Venice, where both films received enthusiastic standing ovations. Like most of the festival’s talent, they will have minimal time to rest or catch screenings, as official Q&As, panels, and press engagements will occupy most of their schedules. Jesse Eisenberg expressed frustration to THR about being so close to numerous top-tier screenings but having no time to watch them. In contrast, Andrew Scott of Elsinore shared his intention to see as many of the festival’s LGBTQ+ focused films as possible, highlighting La Bola Negra, Club Kid, and A Long Winter as top priorities.

The “belles of the ball,” or at least two of them, were “Los Javis,” the former couple who co-directed La Bola Negra. The film, which was honored at Cannes, serves as Netflix’s primary awards contender this season. Speaking of the streaming giant, Netflix hosted a late-night listening party on Thursday to celebrate its documentary feature The Disciple. The documentary explores the Wu-Tang Clan’s legendary album Once Upon a Time in Shaolin, of which only a single copy was ever produced and rarely played. An arrangement was made to play the rare album at the exclusive gathering.

The festival’s first major screening is traditionally the Patron Preview, the title of which remains a closely guarded secret until the audience is seated in the Werner Herzog Theatre. This year’s surprise screening was Wild Horse Nine, following its recent world premiere in Venice. The film is currently screening, with an additional showing scheduled for Saturday night at the Palm Theatre. Following the screening, THR will host an on-stage Q&A featuring director Martin McDonagh, along with actors John Malkovich, Sam Rockwell, Steve Buscemi, Mariana di Girolamo, and producer Graham Broadbent.

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