Director was in Denver to present his latest film Casino Jack.

Los Angeles-based filmmaker George Hickenlooper has died at the age of 47, the Associated Press reports.

According to his cousin, Denver mayor John Hickenlooper, he apparently died of natural causes while visiting the Starz Denver Film Festival to screen his latest film, Casino Jack starring Kevin Spacey.

John Hickenlooper issued this statement to The Denver Post: “Shock and sadness do not begin to describe our emotions. We are devastated. George had immense creative talents and cinematic gifts, but he was so much more than that to us and all his family. His passion for life, zeal for people and unquenchable curiosity enriched everyone who had the fortune to know him. We will miss his sense of humor, his warm character and the avid encouragement he gave anyone around him.”

Hickenlooper won an Emmy in 1992 for his documentary Hearts of Darkness, about the making of Apocalypse Now.

His recent films include Mayor of the Sunset Strip, Hick Town, The Man From Elysian Fields and Factory Girl.

Casino Jack had its world premiere in Toronto.

Hickenlooper is survived by his wife and son.

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