For Denver film fans, the most wonderful time of the year is back. From Nov. 4 to Nov. 15, the Denver Film Festival returns with a lineup that is sure to excite, shock and inspire moviegoers of all tastes. This quick guide highlights what films attendees should get their popcorn buckets ready for.

A Thought-Provoking Opening Night

Opening night is always one of the biggest nights for the festival, and the film opening the festivities this year is Charlie Kaufman’s (“Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”) stop-motion dramedy “Anomalisa” (Wednesday Nov. 4, 8 p.m., Ellie Caulkins Opera House). A critical darling, Kaufman is one of the most talented and absurd minds in Hollywood. His films “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” and “Being John Malkovich” are legendary cult classics that put him amongst the most lauded of filmmakers. After not making a film for six years, it will without a doubt be interesting to see how he will return to the limelight and extend his talents to the world of animation.

This One’s for the Girls

In a wonderfully refreshing twist, three of this year’s biggest festival headliners are all stories about women. Getting the red carpet treatment is “Carol,” (Saturday Nov. 14, 2:30 p.m., Ellie Caulkins Opera House) an already critically adored Oscar contender about two women, portrayed by Cate Blanchett (“Blue Jasmine”) and Rooney Mara (“The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”), whose impassioned love affair changes their lives forever.

Following suit, “Suffragette,” (Wednesday Nov. 4, 7:30 p.m., UA Pavilions) a fictionalized portrayal of some of the key events in England’s early feminist movement, is gaining quite a bit of admiration for its powerful performances, especially from its always wonderful lead Carey Mulligan (“Drive”). Despite Mulligan’s role, however, the film is garnering some controversy on multiple fronts. Its marketing of Meryl Streep’s (“Into the Woods”) performance was reportedly overzealous. Streep only appears in one scene of the film despite the film’s ad campaign making it seem otherwise, so be wary if Streep seems like the most interesting part of this film. The film is also under fire for a photoshoot that features the four main, white cast members wearing shirts that say “I’d rather be a rebel than a slave.” The quote is a reference to a speech by British suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst, but some have taken issue with reusing the quote in today’s political context. Either way, the film should be a powerful experience.

Rounding out the three is “Brooklyn,” (Thursday Nov. 5, 6:30 p.m., Sie FilmCenter) an adaptation of Colm Tóibín’s novel of the same name, featuring rising star Saoirse Ronan (“The Grand Budapest Hotel”) as an awkward young Irish immigrant who discovers herself after settling down in 1950s Brooklyn. Like “Carol” and “Suffragette,” the film is gaining quite a bit of traction for awards season, with Ronan being singled out for her passionate—and possibly career-changing—performance. These ladies surely aren’t to be ignored.

A Strong Supporting Cast

Last, but certainly not least, the festival’s lineup of special presentations is filled with films sure to get audiences talking. Infamous documentarian Michael Moore (“Sicko”) returns to the screen with his new doc “Where to Invade Next,”(Friday Nov. 6, 8 P.M., Ellie Caulkins Opera House) a look at how countries in the European Union deal with economic and social issues differently from here in the States. Also generating buzz is “The Boat Builder,”(Friday Nov. 13, 6:30 p.m., UA Pavilions) a coming-of-age drama about the relationship between a grumpy old mariner and a foster child that stars Christopher Lloyd (“Back to the Future”) and is helmed by new director and Denverite Arnold Grossman. Rounding out the list of anticipated films is “I Saw the Light,” (Friday Nov. 13, 9:30 p.m., Sie FilmCenter)  a biopic about the tumultuous and tragically short life of country legend Hank Williams. Tom Hiddleston (“Crimson Peak”) is garnering a lot of attention for his risky dive into the role, and it’s sure to turn a lot of heads on premiere night.

With a lineup this good, this year’s Denver Film Festival is sure to be an unforgettable one. Before heading out to see some movie audiences won’t remember or care about next week, take a chance and head downtown for a true celebration of movie magic. Tickets are available at the Denver Film Festival website or at the door of each respective theater.