BIFF 2020 Call2Action Program

Written by Sofia Harris. Cinema can bring more to the audience than just entertainment. Great filmmaking has the ability to change lives and create growth in communities worldwide. The outreach that cinema has as a medium is unstoppable. Here at BIFF, we care deeply about the impact our films have on the Boulder community and […]

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Learn more about 2020 Gift Packs!

Written by Sophia Harris – The new year and the holiday season is upon us as we are about to enter a new decade! With so many holidays approaching, people are looking for that perfect present. Whether it be for a significant other, younger sibling or your parents, an experience always trumps a thing when […]

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This Mountain Life Captures BIFF’s Audience Friday Night

This Mountain Life Captures BIFF’s Audience Friday Night By Alyssa McKennon Friday night the Boulder International Film Festival (BIFF) screened the Boulder premiere of the documentary This Mountain Life, directed by Grant Baldwin and produced by Jenny Rustemeyer. The concept instantly captured the interest of festival-goers, resulting in a sold out show and a packed house at the […]

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Red Carpet Event Features Special Celebrity Appearance by Golden Globe-Nominated Actor and Director Emilio Estevez and the Colorado Premiere of The Public

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Red Carpet Event Features Special Celebrity Appearance by Golden Globe-Nominated Actor and Director Emilio Estevez and the Colorado Premiere of The Public Festival to Present Prestigious Vanguard Award to Emilio Estevez with Q&A after the Screening BOULDER, Colo. (January 22, 2019) – The Boulder International Film Festival (BIFF) is pleased to announce […]

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Here’s Why You NEED To Head To VR @ Galvanize

by Andi Platt In the mood for a little dance party? Visit Galvanize in downtown Boulder to dance in a virtual reality extravaganza! In this VR experience you will be surrounded by colorful, animated characters that are dancing to the beat of the music; when the colors change so do the characters goofy dance moves […]

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A tale of two cities Denver vs. Boulder CineCHEF event 2018

By: Tiffany Bergeron This year CineCHEF was nothing compared to previous years. Not only did the event sell out, but this year’s theme was one for the books. Denver vs. Boulder may seem like a delicate situation, but it was all love at this year’s event bringing friends, strangers and communities together for great food […]

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The Virtual Reality Experience at BIFF, From Galvanize

by Serena Rathi Want to escape to Iceland, the Serengeti or Peru? You easily can at the BIFF Virtual Reality Pavilion located at Galvanize Boulder, 1023 Walnut Street. As technology has greatly evolved and advanced in the past decade the way we tell stories has too. Virtual reality is an entirely new way to share […]

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The Origins of BIFF’s Characters

Many onlookers in downtown Boulder area on opening night of The International Boulder Film Festival might have spotted a character or two and thought it just another day in Boulder (that really is the norm for Boulder). But BIFF’s opening night characters aren’t the norm as much as they are special entertainment for opening night […]

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Opening Night Gala Kicks Off with the Colorado Premiere of Film: BORG VS. MCENROE

  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   Opening Night Gala Kicks Off with the Colorado Premiere of Film: BORG VS. MCENROE 14th Annual Boulder International Film Festival, February 22 – 25, 2018 Acclaimed Film Wins People’s Choice Award at Rome Film Festival Starring Shia LaBeouf and Sverrir Gudnason   BOULDER, Colo. – The Boulder International Film Festival […]

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2017’s Closing Night & Chasing Coral

Just like opening night had taken off with streaks of orange and yellow painted vibrantly across the sky, the closing night began with the same painted scene that many Boulder natives know well. Awards kicked off at the packed full Boulder Theater just as the last bright flashes settled beneath the horizon. Local Boulder County […]

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A Talk With The Creators of Strange Weather

Strange Weather isn’t a chick flick. It isn’t Thelma and Louise. Strange Weather is a road trip about and between two women – no, to very real people – who are processing grief. It’s also a masterpiece that has notes of color and images of the south that are an homage William Eggleston designed by […]

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Subsistence in the Faroe Islands

  For the past several years documentary filmmakers have spotlighted the conservation issues of commercial fishing. They have faced the biggest political adversaries in order to bring the brutal killings of dolphins and whales out of the shadows.  Many might have seen The Islands and the Whales and thought the film was doing much of the same, but at yesterday’s film talkback, a panelist […]

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Holy (Un) Holy River – TalkBack

The talkback event for Holy (Un) Holy River brought with it a packed house and a ton of humility. The film stood as a stark reminder of the difference between developed countries, and areas that were struggling. More than that, though, it spoke of humanity and the driving, glowing for of people. “The water body was dead, […]

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Saturday’s Happy Hour at Lazy Dog

The beautiful sound of Amy Kress’s voice swept through the afternoon crowd at the Lazy Dog on Saturday afternoon, as she touched guests with her beautiful contemporary music and piano skills of a prodigy. The house was packed once again; this time brought to BIFF from valued sponsor The Farm. Paired with four other small […]

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CineCHEF 2017

  Ratatouille, Pulp Fiction, and La La Land were just some of the films represented in edible form at Friday’s evening festival event CineCHEF. The best chefs in Boulder competed for attendees top vote for the best dish of them all as guests mingled between sips of Boulder Beer and Francis Ford Coppola wine. Miniature […]

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Virtual Reality Pavilion – The Future of Storytelling

Not many can deny that the ever changing face of technology can be daunting. We depend on it to keep our lives going, and the pressure to keep up with it isn’t always stress-free. However, there are some exciting developments in the technology game. Filmmakers are creating a platform for virtual reality that will change the way we […]

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Happy Hour at Lazy Dog

Food, drinks, and music made for the perfect mid-afternoon happy hour event at the Lazy Dog, but none of it would have been possible without the vital support of the sponsors. Audi Boulder and Spyder joined forces to bring festival goers together at the casual venue, while Kenny Lee Young strummed away on the guitar […]

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Born to Lead and Never Forgotten

An inspiring young athlete dies at an early age from debilitating cancer. Those who knew him were determined to share his story.  Born to Lead isn’t just another sports film, but bears witness to a sports legend’s courage and grace. It is the story of Sal Aunese. Sal Aunese made sports history in his own right. That was before he passed […]

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2017 BIFF Opens

As the sky began to darken providing contrast for the illuminating pink and orange streaks across the horizon, the Boulder International Film Festival welcomed a flood of guests, filmmakers, movie characters, and much more into the Hotel Boulderado and Rembrandt Yard pre-film festivities. An anticipatory buzz quickly filled both locations, everyone mingling over glasses of […]

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Meet The Characters From 2017 BIFF

Off in the distance, I hear an enigmatic voice coming from a woman wearing glittering shorts and pig tails. It’s Harley Quinn from Suicide Squad. She’s carrying a bat and interlocking arms with her lover, The Joker, in the back halls of Boulder Theater. Harley is considering smashing a piñata with her bat, never breaking […]

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How To BIFF: BIFF Noir

For the perfect nightcap after seeing Bang! The Bert Berns Story or Strange Weather, both at the Boulder Theater, be sure to head over to Hotel Boulderado for a prohibition party like no other. Rewind back to the 20’s at this year’s BIFF Noir Party, mingling the night away in authentic prohibition style. Descend the […]

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Youth Pavilion Rocks the Free World

           BIFF understands just how important kids and teens are to the future. It’s a better world when our youth can discover new passions and outlets for creativity, especially when parents can share in the experience. That’s what Youth Pavillion provides, opportunities for anyone interested in the film business to gain real […]

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How to BIFF: Opening Night

If there’s one thing that we know for sure, it’s that the ambiance created by the combination of food, live music, and libations makes for the perfect recipe for this year’s Opening Night Red Carpet Gala. Kick off your festival experience right at Hotel Boulderado and Rembrandt Yard, living like a celebrity on the red […]

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How To BIFF: CineCHEF

Popcorn isn’t the only snack that provides the perfect counterpart to a movie… this year marks The Boulder International Film Festival’s third annual gourmet culinary competition called CineCHEF. The best chefs in Boulder compete for your approval in a culinary experience like no other, but only one chef will come out on top and return […]

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A Conversation with David Taylor & Asche Helling

We sat down with some incredible BIFF volunteers to get their insight on what it means to be a part of the amazing team that makes the film festival run. Today we’ve sat down with David Taylor and Asche Helling who helped with security and costume design during the festival. What’s your professional background? Asche: […]

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How To BIFF: Cool Cats

Every year the Boulder International Film Festival brings a unique blend of music to produce the perfect complement to the main course attraction enticing film buffs in the first place- the movies. This year’s festival features pleasures to the ear from start to finish, with a noteworthy emphasis on jazz correlating perfectly to a featured film […]

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Submission Deadlines for BIFF 2017

Call for entries for BIFF 2017 opens June 17th. Submit your film today! Below are the submission deadlines: Early Deadline: Friday, July 15, 2016 Regular Deadline: Friday, August 19, 2016 Late Deadline: Friday, September 30, 2016 Extended Deadline: Friday, October 24, 2016

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BIFF Closing Night: 2016

Guests walked into the Boulder Theater to the original, swanky band, Banshee Tree. The four-piece band is an interesting, melodic mix of gypsy jazz, folk, pop and swing. They set the mood for the closing night ceremony as they played behind the display of the historic Vielehr awards. Kathy and Robin Beeck, festival founders, went […]

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BIFF Shorts Program Friday, October 19, 7:00 pm, Broomfield Auditorium

Exclusive! BIFF 2014 Shorts Program, Friday October 16 Broomfield Auditorium, 7:00 PM The Boulder international Film Festival will hold an exclusive showing of our popular Shorts Program from BIFF 2014.  Come see the magic in our shorts!  Featuring Academy Award winning and nominated films, the 2016 Festival Shorts Program will be shown at Broomfield Auditorium on Friday, […]

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Best of BIFF Shorts at Broomfield Auditorium on September 18!

Broomfield Cultural Affairs is presenting one of our celebrated Best of BIFF Shorts Programs at the Broomfield Auditorium on Friday, September 18 at 7:00 pm!  Our program department has distilled 11 years of short films at BIFF into one heady brew that we know you’ll enjoy.  The shorts at BIFF are one of the most popular programs every year, so we’re thrilled […]

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Withoutabox Touts BIFF Call for Entries!

We were honored that Withoutabox, one of the premier websites for submitting your independent film to film festivals around the world, just sent out the following to over 100,000 filmmakers about BIFF! We caught up with Boulder International Film Festival (BIFF) to see what advice they have to give to filmmakers. Check out what they […]

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BIFF Kicks Off at the Boulder Theater!

After last night’s gala, the characters and attendees followed the CU Denver Claim Jumpers in a parade from the Rembrandt Yard and Hotel Boulderado down to the Boulder Theater. Pass holders, directors, producers, and the dressed-up characters marched to the big brass band sound. En route, the parade passed the electrified racecar, projecting images of […]

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Top 5 Films Not to Miss at BIFF

In just over a week, the Boulder International Film Festival kicks off its festivities. With the such a wide variety of films screening, it can be tough to figure out which are the festival’s must-sees. Here are the top-five films that we think you cannot miss this year: Austin to Boston The end of the South by […]

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Live Music at BIFF 2015

[su_expand height=”110″] Opening Night Red Carpet Gala Thursday, March 5:30pm at Rembrandt Yard and Hotel Boulderado Kick off your best fest yet by hopping between TWO simultaneous parties, spread across TWO fabulous venues – the Hotel Boulderado Ballroom and the Rembrandt Yard Art Gallery & Event Center. With music by After Midnight Award winning clarinetist […]

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Prize Drawings

Prize Drawings We have some really great prize drawings from our generous sponsors for 2015! Please check out the details on this page. [su_expand height=”70″] REV UP Win a weekend driving a luxurious Audi from Audi Boulder and a Pair of Tickets to BIFF Closing Night Events! Experience exhilaration at your beck and call while […]

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An Evening With Alan Arkin

An Unforgettable Evening with the Legendary Alan Arkin BIFF 2015 welcomes Oscar winner Alan Arkin to the Boulder Theater – Saturday, March 7th, 7:30 p.m. Alan Arkin is a grand…and very funny…icon of all of show business. He’s made over 70 films, won an Oscar for his role in Little Miss Sunshine, was nominated for […]

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Foovie – Rendezvous en Rouge

Rendezvous en Rouge this Valentine’s Day! Enjoy a spectacular ‘Rendezvous en Rouge’ this Valentine’s Day–a deluxe evening for lovers, film lovers and foodies alike! (It’s a Valentine’s Day Foovie–a combination of FOOD and a MOVIE at eTown Hall–and music, wine, beer and desserts, but we didn’t know how to work that in to the event […]

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Best of BIFF Shorts Coming Soon!

[su_column size=”3/3″ center=”no”] An exclusive showing of the Best of BIFF Shorts at eTown Hall will be held on Thursday, November 13. We’re playing some of the best short comedies from ten years of BIFF. Don’t miss it! This will be our last BIFF event of the year!  Come celebrate with us.  6:00 pm Happy […]

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BIFF 2014 Shorts Program, Thurs, Oct 9, Etown Hall

BIFF is showing our celebrated Festival Shorts Program at Etown Hall in Boulder on Thursday, October 9 at 7:00 pm! This is by far the most popular program at the Festival every year, so we’re teaming up with our friends at eTown to present them again. Seating is limited. Here’s where to get tickets: http://ow.ly/BCyUJ P.S. – Come […]

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PHOTO ESSAY: Closing Night Cornucopia

Kathy Beeck, Peter Fonda, Robin Beeck, and Ron Bostwick on Closing Night. [Photo by/courtesy Psykome Photography] At last, they are in. Five photographers, more than four dozen photos convey the fun and excitement of Closing Night at BIFF 2013. [Photo by/courtesy Leah Mayotte] Robin and Kathy [Photo by/courtesy Peter Wayne Photography] The Vielehrs [Photo by/courtesy […]

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PHOTO ESSAY: Saturday with Psykome

One of our new photographers this year was PsykomePhotographyLLC, aka the talented Krista Silvers. She produced a slew of good work! Here’s a walk through her day at BIFF on Saturday, Feb. 16, — [All photos by/courtesy of PsykomePhotographyLLC] —

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PHOTO ESSAY: eTown Hall hosts BIFF films

[Photo by/courtesy Randy Malone/photomalone.com] For the first time, the fabulous brand-spanking-new, ecologically sound, environmentally friendly eTown Hall was open for business during BIFF season. Nick and Helen Forster and all the other folks there helped us out, and we put on a number of great shows to packed houses. The space, a renovated church (some of […]

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PHOTO ESSAY: V.I.P. Filmmaker Reception

Were you there that Friday afternoon? Check and see! It took place, as usual, at the Bitter Bar at 835 Walnut, and featured our Closing Night guest Peter Fonda, filmmakers, top toffs, and some riffraff, just for leavening. [Photo by/courtesy Bonnie Chaim] [Photo by/courtesy Peter Wayne/Peter Wayne Photography] [Photo by/courtesy Bonnie Chaim] [Photo by/courtesy Peter […]

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PHOTO ESSAY: Filmmakers’ Lounge at the Lazy Dog

The social center of the Boulder International Film Festival is the Filmmakers’ Lounge in the Lazy Dog Sports Bar & Grill. Here’s a miscellany of shots from three days and nights of fun, music, discussion, classes, and more! [Photo by/courtesy Randy Malone/www.photomalone.com] [Photo by/courtesy Peter Wayne/Peter Wayne Photography] [Photo by/courtesy Randy Malone/www.photomalone.com] [Photo by/courtesy Peter […]

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PHOTO ESSAY: Under the Big Top

[Photo by/courtesy Randy Malone/www.photomalone.com] Music, maestro! Hi-de-ho, kids. The Tent went up on time and with a minimum of fuss, bigger and better than ever! Gradually, the Tent has come to house a variety of important functions at the festival. It is the H.Q. of the Information Booth — [Photo by/courtesy Randy Malone/www.photomalone.com] and serves […]

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PHOTO ESSAY: Opening Night at the Boulder Theater

The Opening Night screening took place just as the snow began to lessen on Friday evening, Feb. 15. After all the preparation and parties, guests were guided to the Boulder Theater for the premiere of “Muscle Shoals” (which won the Grand Prize at the end of the festival), after a performance by Boulder’s own Frequent […]

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BIFF REPORT: That’s a Wrap!

Festival founders Robin (l) and Kathy Beeck aplaud the crowd on Closing Night. [Photo by/courtesy Peter Wayne Photography] We were going to rewrite the obligatory end-of-festival press release — but it’s so well-written and concise, we’re just going to run it! What follows is a succinct summary of the high points of this year’s festival. […]

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PHOTO ESSAY: Opening Night Parties

For the first time ever, at BIFF 2013 we moved our pre-Opening Night screenings party outside the theater — and doubled it! We held soirees at both the Boulderado Hotel and at the Rembrandt Yard. Partygoers hopped from one venue to another, enjoying good food, drink, multiple bands, and costumed characters from the movies. [Photo […]

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PHOTO ESSAY: Opening Night Prep

How do you take 16 people and transform them into classic movie characters in the course of an afternoon? Here’s a look at the remarkable effort that our makeup artists, costumers and volunteers put forth to make Opening Night a panoply of fanciful fun! [All photos by/courtesy Amanda Wells Martin – http://awmphotodesign.com]  

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BIFF profile: Have film fest, will travel

Registration Coordinators Arlene LaMar and Ashley Peterson at the B.A.D. Party. [Photo by Bonnie Chaim] By ILENE DOTTERERBIFF DigiComm Commando Some people travel around the country to participate in triathlons. Some travel to participate in dog shows. But lucky for BIFF, Arlene LaMar, BIFF’s intrepid Registration Coordinator, has a better idea. Arlene travels around the […]

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DiMe Time! Scenes from 2013

The fourth annual Digital Media Symposium played out on Friday, Feb. 15, during the Festival. Two keynote speakers and 10 panelists entertained and stimulated the audience, prior to a catered networking session! Here are some snaps — [Photo by/courtesy Peter Wayne] Festival Director Kathy Beeck opens the Digital Media Symposium. [Photo by/courtesy Peter Wayne] [Photo […]

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BIFF REPORT: Singing to God: A look at ‘Defiant Requiem’

(From left) ‘Defiant Requiem’ director Doug Shultz, Holocaust survivors Edgar and Hana Krasna. [Photo by Leah Mayotte] By ILONA DOTTERERBIFF DigiComm Commando By the end of this remarkable film, you knew that the thick walls of Terezin, the ancientwalled fortress outside of Prague, heard the voices again. Voices that last sang sevendecades ago, voices that […]

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BIFF REPORT: Filmmakers endorse our loving care

Director Dafna Yelchin (“Digital Dharma”) enjoying the red-carpet treatment. [Photo by Randy Malone]  By ILONA DOTTERERBIFF DigiComm Commando “Impeccable.” “Great organization.” “They really take care of us.” Directors Patrick Shen (“La Source”) and Dafna Yelchin (“Digital Dharma”) ravedabout BIFF’s care and handling of filmmakers. “At most festivals,” Patrick said, “theorganizers only want to fill seats. […]

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PHOTO ESSAY: B.A.D. Party Blowout!!

The Oddfellows Hall was Ground Zero for B.A.D. II! [Photo by Leah Mayotte] WE TOLD YOU! The 2nd annual B.A.D. Party was an astonishing debauch! Here are some highlights —  People rocked out to not one but TWO rockabilly bands. [Photo by Peter Wayne] How many parties have a poet on call? [Photo by Peter […]

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