We had the good fortune of connecting with Jack Hanley and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jack, what’s something about your industry that outsiders are probably unaware of?
That there are almost always multiple layers of meaning- and intentionality- within every film…whether you choose to engage with them or not. That and that the movies are quite LITERALLY magic.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Ever since that magical morning I first discovered Siskel & Ebert on my local public access station, I knew I wanted to spend my life appreciating, championing, and democratizing the most exquisite of art forms: cinema. This passion led me from academia and film school to film criticism (HanleyOnFilm), festival hosting and programming (Crested Butte Film Festival, Boulder International Film Festival, Chicago Underground Film Festival, and Slamdance), and eventually to creating my own festivals and film series—most notably, the C&E European Film Fest at CU Boulder with Roger Ebert, and our newest endeavor, the Reel Horrors Short Film Festival for the Colorado Festival of Horror. Yet I remain most passionate about any opportunity to educate others on the inherent power of this “empathy machine,” whether through talkbacks and series at the Dairy Arts Center or my film course, How to Watch a Movie. NOTHING makes me more happy than to be sharing this communal experience with others in the flickering glow of a darkened theater.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Boulder is one of the greatest cities IN THE WORLD- and I love introducing people to “The Republic”. I’d most likely start the day with some community fortification at the Village Diner before strolling out for the perfect French press at the Teahouse. After exploring our world-class hiking trails and side-tripping to some perfect mountain towns, I’d head back home to indulge in the independent films, series, and programs at my beloved Boedecker Theater at the Dairy Arts Center before hitting Zoe Ma Ma on Pearl St and then spending the evening at my first “Boulder home” at CU Boulder to catch a courtside basketball game (I’m looking at you, Lady Buffs!) We close out the night catching a late-night horror film at the Friday Night Weird Film Series before drinks and more film deconstruction.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
While there are too many people to thank, allow me to shoutout to my Mother for being such an early cultural and artistic influence; to my personal and creative partner Shay Wescott for her brilliance that inspires me daily, and let’s be honest, making me look far better than I have any right to; my current creative co-conspirators Scott Aigner and Bryan Bonner; to my daughter and fellow Horror fanatic Mia who keeps my perspectives fresh; and lastly to my late friend Roger Ebert, whose wit, rigor, and unapologetic love of cinema cracked open the screen for me and made falling in love with film feel both inevitable and essential.

Website: https://HanleyOnFilm.com

Facebook: JackHanleyCo

Other: My film podcast “Blindspotting: A Film Discovery Podcast” on Apple Podcasts and Buzzsprout

Image Credits
Image Credits: Arthur E. Michalak and William Mason

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutColorado is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.