I’m outside the Brigadoon in Telluride — the big white tent which serves as the hub of all things Film Fest. It’s Wednesday afternoon, and the films have yet to start rolling, but on the occasion of its fiftieth, TFF has thrown open the Brigadoon doors, released its lineup a day earlier than usual, and is dropping programs in the hands of eager film - aficionados.

Gary Shapiro, keeps a place in Telluride, but like most of the crowd, he hails from Los Angeles.

“And, you know, we’ve been coming here for thirty years,” he says, “and the festival has always been amazing and it's getting better all the time. And I know there are some really great films coming this year.”

While Gary is watching films, his wife Jane says she’ll be focused on something else:

“I'm always excited about the film festival because I like to draw the directors. I have a collection of about 500 directors I've drawn over the years. I’m a doodler!” she says.

Breaking out her book, Jane has sketches upon sketches of notables from over the years. We spot a prior sketch of a festival regular: the director Alfonso Cuarón, who will be in attendance this year.

“Yes,” Jane confirms: “a favorite.”

But, the regular buzz around stars descending on Telluride has largely taken a back seat this year. The film industry has been boiling all summer with a double strike, as actors and writers have walked off the job demanding better work conditions.

Major studios, some of them TFF sponsors — Netflix, Amazon, Sony — haven’t budged, and in the meantime actors are barred from promoting their work. Any talent in attendance will thus be keeping a low profile. Shapiro, who has worked in the industry in the past, is hoping to see some developments

“The studios must give in,” he says, “and I’m in the minority on this, but I think after Labor Day we’re going to see a settlement and the workers are going to get a significantly better deal.”

Make no mistake, despite the distinct shadow of the strike, the festival is charging on. Austin Sipes, is in from Santa Monica, and he runs the festival’s student symposium — part of its education and outreach initiatives. For sipes, there’s nothing like it:

“The access you get to filmmakers here and the curation of films, no one’s on par with it. And of course, it’s a beautiful town,” says Sipes.

Another thing the strike won’t change? For this Los Angeleno, it's the scenery:

“Natalie Cammot is my name, and – it’s funny – for me when I come, I get most excited about coming to Telluride and seeing the locals here and the beauty of the mountains.”

Mollie Galetto is not from LA. she’s from Telluride, and has a message for other Telluridians:

“Oh my gosh. Get a program and look at it! Find the free stuff, and go!” she instructs. “Never forget to go to the outdoor theaters because they’re the best. And they’re free!”

Indeed, this year the festival has almost doubled its free offerings, with nightly, un-ticketed shows in both Town Park and Elks Park. You could see the premiere of Wildcat, Ethan Hawke’s biopic exploring the life of writer Flannery O’Connor. You could catch a conversation between the festival guest directors, ranging from novelist Rachel Kushner to Oscar-winner Steve McQueen; settle in for a Pedro Almodovar short film; or catch a concert from musician-of-the moment, Jon Batiste.

And all weekend, the show will go on.