Things are in full swing over at BIFF! We are gearing up for our best BIFF ever! Opening night was filled with energy from characters, music, delicious snacks, attendees, filmmakers, and of course the astounding film, “Miss Sharon Jones.”
Between the opening festivities at the Rembrandt Yard at the beautiful Hotel Boulderado, attendees, filmmakers and historic film characters were able to mingle. Voldemort, Mad Max and Wolfman darted across the streets. Wolfman’s howls could be heard from blocks away.
Tarzan was spotted scaling street-lamp posts and eating off of attendee’s appetizer plates. His manager confided, “He’s kind of smelly. I really hope he doesn’t make people lose their apeitites.” The characters from Mad Max, after winning a slew of academy awards, were a huge hit at the opening night galas. Mary Poppins and the Chimney Sweeper sang the infamous “supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” from the balcony of the Rembrandt Yard, all under a beautifully lit sign reading ‘love.’
The Rembrandt yard and Hotel Boulderado were both swanky venues with jazzy live music. The Sweet Spot Trio played great tunes at the Boulderado while the The Bob Schlesinger Trio entertained guests with their wonderful sounds at the Rembrandt Yard. One attendee remarked, “We can’t stop coming back to this festival. It’s our favorite event Boulder hosts.”
The opening parties were filled with delicious appetizers from Centro, Zolo, West End Tavern, Jax Fishhouse, and beverages from Boulder Beer and Francis Coppola winery. Attendees in red carpet garb mingled and discussed which films they were most excited to see this weekend.
At 7:15, guests began walking over to the Boulder Theater to watch the opening night film, Miss Sharon Jones. Guerilla Warfare, a big band with a New Orleans feel and sound led the parade from the parties down to the venue. Wolfman, in his clumsy feet impressively two-stepped in front of the tuba while howling up towards the hidden moon.
Filmmakers, attendees and the film characters sauntered down the red carpet and posed for the press in front of the historic Boulder Theater. After guests took their seats, both Robin and Kathy Beeck, BIFF founders, address the crowd and shared some upcoming highlights of the weekend such as Cinechef and the conversation with BIFF Career Achievement Award recipient, Bruce Dern. The Beeck sisters gave huge thanks to all of BIFF’s amazing generous sponsors.
As the lights fell, attendees roared with cheer in excitement for the film. Fans truly adored the film, Miss Sharon Jones, which is an emotional journey alongside of what many consider the female version of James Brown. Sharon Jones is a soulful, incredible, inspirational woman who faces the biggest battle of her life, cancer, and shares this triumphant story in a lighthearted humorous way alongside of the wonderful Dap Kings. Fans balanced laughing and crying through this beautiful documentary.
Opening night was a huge success, and attendees are excited to see what’s in store for the weekend. The evening was a perfect start to the countless films, events and parties coming up over the next three days.
