The Vail Film Institute hosted the first Vail Film Festival from April 1-4 in the Colorado ski resort town. The festival welcomed quite a few directors and industry notables for the event, including tributees Robert M. Young and Amy Robinson. A number of experts were also on hand for industry panels. Actors Jonathan Lipnicki, Giancarlo Esposito, and several others were also making the scene (Lipnicki took advantage of the festival's setting to do some snowboarding). Parties, with plenty of sponsored goodies, were held at Vail Cascade Resort & Spa, Eagles Nest (high atop the mountain, reachable only by gondola) and other spots around town.