The Magic Rat Film Showcase at The Elizabeth Hotel is launching Season Two: The Year of Collaboration, a yearlong series celebrating storytelling, creative exchange and community-building across disciplines. The season opens Wednesday, Jan. 21, with the premiere of “DISCLOSURE,” a 17-minute, proof-of-concept science-fiction short created by filmmakers who connected during the showcase’s inaugural season.
The premiere will take place at The Elizabeth Hotel, with doors opening at 6 p.m. for happy hour, followed by the screening at 7 p.m. A 7:30 p.m. talkback will feature award-winning director and producer Maya Ortega in conversation with the film’s directors, cast and crew.
“DISCLOSURE” was directed by award-winning filmmakers Jay Sherer and Nathan Scheck and was produced by Maya Jairam. The majority of the cast and crew are Colorado-based, with several team members having met through season one of the Magic Rat Film Showcase.
“We’re living in a moment where UFO disclosure feels closer than ever,” Sherer says. “Each character in our film represents a different perspective on paranormal phenomena. ‘DISCLOSURE’ is science fiction, but the subject matter is something we genuinely care about. It’s serious, but it also has a fun twist.”
Season two of the Magic Rat Film Showcase programming will bring creators from diverse backgrounds to The Elizabeth Hotel for screenings and immersive experiences spanning scripted and unscripted film, animation, AI studios, film scoring, TED-style talks and collaborative workshops. The series emphasizes relationship building by encouraging creators to stay longer and engage through table reads, works-in-progress feedback sessions and producer-led conversations.
“This is an amazing way to kick off our Year of Collaboration,” says Shantel Hansen, curator of the Magic Rat Film Showcase. “Season one revealed a real hunger for connection among creators and the community. In season two, we’re extending that experience by offering deeper access to the creative process, from table reads and brunches with producers to live podcast recordings and behind-the-scenes conversations about how films are made, including audio engineering, color and post-production.”
Carl Pratt, general manager of The Elizabeth Hotel, says the showcase reflects the hotel’s commitment to creative placemaking and community engagement.
“It’s a win-win-win all around,” he says. “We’re bringing creators to stay at The Elizabeth, building a creative ecosystem rooted in relationships and supporting emerging filmmakers, especially youth at the Boys & Girls Club, where all ticket proceeds are donated.”
Season two of the Magic Rat Film Showcase will continue throughout 2026, with monthly events designed to foster collaboration across film, music, writing and visual arts.
Event details
- When: 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21
- Happy hour (6 p.m.) followed by film screening (7 p.m.) and talkback (7:30 p.m.)
- Tickets: available at disclosuremagicrat.eventbrite.com (donation based)
- All ticket proceeds benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs Youth Filmmaking Program.
