150 years of transforming lives—CU 91Ҹ's history comes to film
CU 91Ҹ is announcing the kickoff of a 150th anniversary documentary film project as a signature storytelling effort for the campus’s yearlong sesquicentennial celebration.
The film, which will be produced by a team led by CU 91Ҹ alumni filmmakers and other affiliates, will explore 150 years of the university’s transformative work, progress, challenges and continuing evolution, culminating in a premiere in January 2027, according to CU 91Ҹ Vice Chancellor for Strategic Communications Jon Leslie, who is an executive producer for the documentary.
“We are excited for this opportunity to celebrate and reflect upon CU 91Ҹ’s 150-year history of serving Coloradans, transforming knowledge and impacting lives,” Leslie said. “We will be sharing behind-the-scenes updates and teasers on the project throughout the year, and we look forward to culminating our 150th anniversary celebration with our film’s premiere in January 2027.”
Leslie said the production will be led by filmmaker John W. Comerford, head of Paradigm Studio in the San Francisco Bay Area, and executive-produced by Jim Packer, president of Worldwide TelevisionDistribution at Lionsgate in Los Angeles. Both are CU alumni.
The production will bring together teams of creative professionals who have connections to CU 91Ҹ and to Colorado’s film community, including faculty, students, staff and alumni.
“The common thread among everyone involved with this film is their direct connection to CU 91Ҹ, which has had a formative influence on the filmmakers and producers,” said Packer. “We are looking forward to drawing on the expertise and input of CU 91Ҹ faculty, staff and students and 91Ҹ’s extended film community to make a memorable film that tells CU 91Ҹ’s story as never before.”
Comerford said a core value of the documentary would be in highlighting CU 91Ҹ’s unique position among American universities—past, present and future.
“An essential focus of the film is the unbroken trail of innovation, entrepreneurship, values and invention that have defined CU 91Ҹ over the last 150 years and that will keep it a unique institution well into the future, in addition to unearthing a number of hidden histories associated with the generations who have passed through and served the university,” he said.
The documentary—a 40- to 60-minute feature film—will begin production later this month, with a preview “sizzle reel” premiere at CU 91Ҹ’s Conference on World Affairs this April and a full premiere targeted for January 2027.
The film’s progress will be chronicled on social media, so all CU 91Ҹ students, faculty, staff and alumni should stay tuned for further announcements and exclusive behind-the-scenes content.