Five tracks. Ten days.

Track A

The Left Hand Series

Honoring Chief Nowoo³ (pronounced Nuh-woth) "Niwot," the Left Hand Series features filmmakers from the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes and other Indigenous nations. For the Southern Arapaho, the Boulder Valley was home — this track is a homecoming. Presented in partnership with the First Peoples Festival, Estes Park. Opening ceremony with Cheyenne and Arapaho drums, song, and dance.

Track B

New Neighbors Showcase

Stories from Colorado's diverse diaspora communities — documentaries and narratives focusing on the first-generation experience in the Mountain West. Presented in partnership with Colorado Diasporic Film Festival and Alianza NORCO. Lunch and dinner served by Native- and immigrant-owned vendors from across the Front Range.

Track C

Colorado Spotlight

A dedicated platform for Colorado filmmakers whose work might otherwise get squeezed out during a busy January. Curated with the Mountain Media Arts Collective, with emphasis on BIPOC filmmakers and stories rooted in the land, identity, and community of the Mountain West. Pay-what-you-can admission.

Track D

Environmental Track

Water rights in the West, regenerative agriculture, wildfire recovery, and the ecology of the Front Range. Niwot sits within the Boulder County Open Space system — this track uses that proximity. "Guided Film Walks" pair short environmental films with guided walks through nearby trails (weather permitting).

Track E

Youth Track

Short films (8–10 minutes) by St. Vrain Valley middle and high school students, many produced in hands-on smartphone filmmaker workshops held before the festival. Led in partnership with Niwot High School and the St. Vrain Valley School District. The Left Hand Scholarship is awarded to the winning young filmmaker by audience vote and jury deliberation.