Chautauqua Internship Projects
All Chautauqua internship projects will make a meaningful impact on the operations of the Colorado Chautauqua nonprofit and will also benefit the Boulder Community.
Internship Projects for credit aim to support CU film students by offering experience and insights in a choice of three main areas:
- Film research and storytelling for documentary, short films and social media
- Chautauqua can offer access to the extensive Chautauqua archives for student film research and Chautauqua executives will be available to work with students on story development and refinement for projects Chautauqua considers of value. In particular, student research assistants, script writers and storyboarders will be able to support a full- length documentary about the history of Chautauqua Auditorium. This documentary is being led by experienced broadcast film-maker on the Chautauqua staff Scott Van
Ordstrand. Scott will brief and supervise interns for this project. The documentary is likely to premiere at Chautauqua’s Saving Our History film festival.
- Chautauqua can offer access to the extensive Chautauqua archives for student film research and Chautauqua executives will be available to work with students on story development and refinement for projects Chautauqua considers of value. In particular, student research assistants, script writers and storyboarders will be able to support a full- length documentary about the history of Chautauqua Auditorium. This documentary is being led by experienced broadcast film-maker on the Chautauqua staff Scott Van
- Film Festival Planning, Operations and Marketing
- Chautauqua plans and hosts its own film festival, the “Saving Our History Film Festival” now in its second year. The festival focuses on notable preservation projects in Colorado and nationwide. One or more interns
will be able to work with an experienced film festival planner and the Chautauqua marketing and public events teams to plan and execute a successful film festival. This will provide experiential understanding of the many complex issues involved.
- Chautauqua plans and hosts its own film festival, the “Saving Our History Film Festival” now in its second year. The festival focuses on notable preservation projects in Colorado and nationwide. One or more interns
- Film for corporate and nonprofit marketing and influencing
- Chautauqua uses reels and short films to raise the profile and attendance of its brand and many (concerts, film, lodging, dining, retail, public art, community festivals, private events) services on its YouTube channel, website and social media platforms. These films will receive more public and media attention in the run up to Sundance Film Festival and amid new interest in historic sites during Colorado’s 150th anniversary year and America’s 250th anniversary in 2026. Chautauqua Marketing and Development leadership will provide interns with briefs for each project and assist with feedback and suggestions. Interns will be credited on approved projects and Chautauqua will share the projects to Chautauqua’s large newsletter, YouTube and social media audiences. Projects of this type will showcase how film can support the operations of businesses and non-profits and also serve as a critical tool for influencers.
All Chautauqua internship projects will also benefit from Chautauqua’s unique value in the following film contexts:
- Film History
- Chautauqua Auditorium was one of the earliest places in America to show film in Colorado in 1898 with a public display of the Edison kinetoscope . It still has its 1929 projection booth and presents an annual Silent Film series with live accompaniment. Student interns will be able to tour the Auditorium (currently undergoing a historic winterization for Sundance Film Festival and year round film, talks and concerts) and attend Silent Film events (held in August each year).
- Film Festivals
- Chautauqua is a longtime venue for MountainFilm On Tour (September) and has also been a film venue and provided film-maker lodging for Boulder International Film Festival. Chautauqua also runs its own film festival - Saving Our History Film Festival. Chautauqua will be a major film venue for Sundance Film Festival from Jan. 2027 and Chautauqua lodging will be used by Sundance film-makers and VIPs from around the world
- Unique film locations and venues
- The winterization of Chautauqua Auditorium catalyzed by the Sundance Film Festival will create a new year-round film venue in Boulder in a one-of-a-kind structure and setting. Chautauqua also has 60 cottages and lodges, various indoor and outdoor venues and stunning viewpoints which have served as television and
feature film locations (most recently for Good Morning America, the features Elevation and The Man Who Changed the World and various commercials). Chautauqua locations can be made available to CU film interns for approved projects, provided they adhere to Chautauqua terms of use.
- The winterization of Chautauqua Auditorium catalyzed by the Sundance Film Festival will create a new year-round film venue in Boulder in a one-of-a-kind structure and setting. Chautauqua also has 60 cottages and lodges, various indoor and outdoor venues and stunning viewpoints which have served as television and
If Interested, contact: