Aurora Video Production Round-Up
Aurora video production is about to step into a brighter spotlight. Over the next two weeks the city’s creative calendar is slim on major shoots, yet three near-term developments—a pair of back-to-back film festivals, a high-energy stage revival and a newly modernized permit system—signal momentum for filmmakers scouting Colorado’s third-largest city.
Colorado Global Film Festival Takes Center Stage
Scheduled for September 25-28 at venues including Movie Tavern Aurora and Hawkins Theatre, the Colorado Global Film Festival (CGFF) will showcase 7- to 12-minute shorts from around the world and award a $25 K grand prize to expand the winning project into a Colorado-shot feature. Organizers pitch CGFF as a “filmmaker’s festival,” complete with language-specific industry panels chaired by Colorado Film School faculty. While the opening night falls just outside the strict two-week window, filmmakers should mark it now—tickets, volunteer slots and sponsorships are still open.
Peruvian Film Festival Adds Latin Flair
Running September 25-27, the Peruvian Film Festival transforms 9995 E. Colfax Ave. into a free, three-day celebration of Peruvian storytelling. Titles such as Manco Cápac and animated eco-tale Anibo, Spirit of the Amazon will screen alongside Q&As hosted by immigrant-affairs staff. The event strengthens cultural bridges and underscores Aurora’s reputation as Colorado’s most diverse city—a selling point for producers seeking multicultural crews and audiences.
Schoolhouse Rock Live! Opens September 19
If you need union talent between shoots, look no further than the Aurora Fox Arts Center, where Schoolhouse Rock Live! opens Sept 19 and runs through Oct 18. The musical adapts the classic TV shorts and offers daytime student performances, making it a talent-spotting venue for commercials or educational videos.
Permit Portal Update: DevPortal Goes Live
Effective August 9, all commercial and student productions must file Aurora film-permit applications through DevPortal.AuroraGov.org. The city advises submitting at least 30 days ahead, but says late applications “will be accepted with no guarantee”—crucial intel for crews eyeing last-minute autumn shoots. Key triggers include use of city property, traffic control, firearm props or pyrotechnics.
Quick-Hit Tips
• Submit online permit applications ≥30 days out.
• Drone work requires separate insurance documentation.
• Student & nonprofit projects can request fee waivers.
State Incentives Continue to Attract Festivals
June’s bipartisan HB 25-1005 created a tax credit specifically for film festivals, a move credited with helping Colorado land the Sundance relocation to Boulder in 2027 and with bolstering events like CGFF. While not Aurora-exclusive, the incentive amplifies metro-wide buzz and positions the city to vie for future festival expansions.
What’s Not (Yet) on the Slate
A scan of official notices and trade boards shows no permitted feature or commercial shoots scheduled inside Aurora limits between Sept 10-24. Should that change, the city posts immediate street-closure and noise advisories via AuroraTV.org and @AuroraGov channels—worth bookmarking for location managers.
Conclusion
From imminent festival-week excitement to user-friendly permitting, Aurora is primed for its close-up even if the next fortnight is relatively quiet. Producers eyeing fall and winter shoots should lock in applications now, tap into the diverse talent pool surfacing at The Fox, and leverage Colorado’s refreshed incentives to keep “Aurora video production” rolling long after the final September credits.
