Singer/Songwriter Showcase begins tonight at BIFF!

Kelly Aspen One of the great new aspects of BIFF this year is the Singer/Songwriter Showcase. Seeing how we have so many music-themed films this year, we turned to our long-time Sponsor Liaison and composer/performer Lisa Bell, who crafted two evenings of the region’s finest musical talent to perform on stage at the Lazy Dog, […]

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BIFF REPORT: ‘Bidder 70’

‘Bidder 70’ directors Beth and George Gage answer questions from the audience.[Photo by Leah Mayotte] By ILONA DOTTERERBIFF DigiComm Commando “Civil disobedience is a movement of the heart, not the mind.” When Tim DeChristopher, a passionate college senior, attended a federal oil and gasauction to lease sensitive federal lands in southern Utah, he simply sat […]

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BIFF 2013 Kicks Off with Flair and Changes

Darth Vader, meet David Drees! By Beth Kovacs BCM BIFF News   The 9th Annual Boulder International Film Fest kicked off its opening night with the likes of Darth Vader and Glinda the Good Witch. It’s traditional that the festival begins with a gala, in the past held at the Boulder Theater. This year’s gala […]

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Call 2 Action answers moviegoers’ burning questions

By Jenn CallawayBCM BIFF News How many times have you finished a compelling documentary wondering how you could play a part to make change within your own community? Boulder International Film Festival differentiates itself from other film festivals by filling their marquee with films that make a difference. The Call 2 Action program provides moviegoers […]

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BIFF 2013: Opening Night Photos cont.

Now the shots are beginning to cascade in — really nice work from Beth Kovacs, Andrew Carlson, and Peter Wayne — Costumed volunteers recreate famous movie character for Opening Night. [Andrew Carlson] Stiltwakers [Peter Wayne] Adam Jimenez as the Mad Hatter [Beth Kovacs] Life at the merch table [Peter Wayne] Our intrepid reporter Tami Micole […]

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PHOTO ESSAY: Opening Night Parties

We had a double-barreled ball at Opening Night! Parties were held simultaneously at the Boulderado and Rembrandt Yard, with lots and lots of good food, drink, and special appearances by 16 costumed volunteers, who portrayed famous film characters . . . [All photos courtesy Peter Wayne]

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Photo Essay 2: Opening Night Setup!

Howdy! RC Special Events got the Tent set up before the snowflakes began to fly (photos 1-4); the marquee is spelled properly (photo 5); the Registration Room is buzzing over at the St. Julien (photo 6); every seat in the office is filled (in photo 7, Producer Kevin Smith and Executive Director Kathy Beeck preside […]

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BIFF Buff Guide! CU is @ BIFF this year . . .

By ADAM ROWANBIFF DigiComm Commando [Editor’s note: For the first time ever, the University of Colorado students have created their own “CU @ BIFF” pavilion at Shine Restaurant, 2027 13th St. all day Saturday, 2/16, during the festival, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. From Saturday morning cartoons through panels with CU alumni in the film […]

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BIFF Pearl Street guide: You’re not in Kansas anymore

 Photo courtesy Downtown Boulder (BoulderDowntown.com) By ADAM ROWAN BIFF DigiComm Commando The pedestrian Pearl Street Mall is the center of the Boulder International Film Festival (BIFF). With major screenings and events held throughout the weekend of February 14-17, there’s much to see and do when waiting for the next program to start. Here’s a look at […]

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BIFF 2013: Film Festival Survival Guide

Pandemonium at the Filmmakers Lounge at BIFF 2012. 47 films, 4 days — how do you pace yourself? Adam Rowan provides the answers. [Photo courtesy Peter Wayne] By ADAM ROWAN BIFF DigiComm Commando Running February 14-17 on and around Boulder’s scenic Pearl Street Mall, the Boulder International Film Festival (BIFF) provides an opportunity to check […]

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Photo essay: BIFF 2013 Program Release Party

[All photos and video courtesy Bonnie Chaim] On Thursday, Jan. 24, the annual BIFF Program Release Party was held. For the second year, it was staged in the fabulous confines of Todd Reed Jewelers at 2015 Pearl St.! What a fabulous design the place has . . . we nearly walked through three or four […]

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Call 2 Action: BIFF’s signature outreach program

By BRAD WEISMANN Director of Digital Communication, BoulderInternational Film Festival Can a movie really make a difference? If so, can we translate its passion into action? Films rouse us; they fascinate us. Whether they are documentaries, or dramas that raise our consciousness, they move us. Veterans featured in the film “High Ground” applaud the audience […]

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Shootout success: honors go to current, former Y.A.C. members

The Youth Advisory Committee’s Shoot Out Boulder film team. (Photos in this post courtesy Ruth Wight) Congratulations to the many members of the Boulder International Film Festival’s Youth Advisory Committee, who participated, and won honors, in the ninth annual Shoot Out 24 Hour Filmmaking Festival Boulder! The festival took place from Friday evening, Oct. 19 […]

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What happens at BIFF doesn’t stay at BIFF . . .

Attention, filmmakers! The late submission deadline for the Boulder International Film Festival is Oct. 1. Why is that important? Here’s a partial list of the Oscar-nominated and -winning directors, producers, screenwriters, actors, and editors whose work has appeared at BIFF, and/or who have been our guests: Jason ReitmanEric RobertsDon HahnDanny BoyleAndrea ArnoldDaniel JungeBill PlymptonAlex GibneyHelen […]

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Women in Filmmaking: free panel tonight

Director Beeban Kidron (she won’t be there tonight, but she’s awesome!) SPECIAL, FREE EVENT TONIGHT IN BOULDER! WOMEN IN FILMMAKING! We HIGHLY recommend this action — we at BIFF are constantly looking to redress the imbalance concerning women’s efforts in film. Female actors are tossed aside once they reach maturity . . . the women […]

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Schmoozer alert: monthly BIFF get-togethers resume

This month’s legendary BIFF Schmoozer will be on Wednesday, September 7 from 5 – 7 p.m. As always, we’ll have great munchies, wine, and non-stop, wall-to-wall conversation. We’re located at 1906 13th Street, Suite 301, on the NE corner of 13th and Walnut, just three doors south of Connor O’Neill’s. Please RSVP tostaff@biff1.com. See you […]

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A week to go for BIFF 2013 filmmakers

BOULDER INTERNATIONALFILM FESTIVALBoulder, Colorado – USAFebruary 14 to 17, 2013 In the Spotlight this week is the 9th Annual Boulder International Film Festival (BIFF), a four-day celebration of cinema that attracts over 20,000 film enthusiasts, media, and industry each year. With exciting networking events, A-list filmmaker and celebrity attendees, an inviting local community, and some of the […]

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Attention, filmmakers: deadline approaching!

Hey, kids! We know that 250,560 minutes seems like a long time, but it’s not. That’s how long we have until Opening Night of the Ninth Annual Boulder International Film Festival! Another deadline to keep in mind is two weeks. That’s how long you have, filmmakers, to submit your work for BIFF 2013. The time […]

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BIFF 2013: Let the games begin!

Howdy, folks! How’ve you been? It seems just a few days ago that we were saying farewell to our crowds, guests, and volunteers from BIFF 2012. However, the wheel of the calendar has turned and it’s time for us to prepare for the upcoming festival. Our early-bird deadline for submission of films to BIFF 2013 […]

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Die offizielle Zusammenfassung! (The official BIFF 2012 wrap-up announcement, y’all!)

[Photo by Ashley Meek] Boulder was swarmed by film enthusiasts and filmmakers for the eighth annual Boulder International Film Festival (BIFF). The four-day festival featured 50 films as well as a variety of special events, including conversations with Martin Sheen and William H. Macy, the third annual DiMe (Digital Media) Symposium, and filmmaker panels and […]

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FESTIVAL REPORT: "Love Free or Die"

By Andy McClellanBIFF DigiComm Commando Love Free or Die: How the Bishop of New Hampshire is Saving the World is not just a film that chronicles the trials of Bishop Gene Robinson of the New Hampshire Episcopal church as “the first openly gay bishop in Christendom.” It is a film about social injustice. It is […]

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FESTIVAL REPORT: Producing Your Own Documentary Workshop

Abigail Wright, who led Sunday’s documentary workshop. By Kristen DalyBIFF DigiComm Commando On Sunday afternoon in the Canyon Theater at the Boulder Public Library, filmmaker Abigail Wright brought up passion early in her discussion of making documentaries.  With all the work that goes into making a documentary, you need a passion which will sustain you […]

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FESTIVAL REPORT: Master Animation Class with Bill Plympton

Bill Plympton’s drawing for Donna Crain — By Donna Crain Workshops and Panels Coordinator and BIFF DigiComm Commando   On Saturday, February 18, Academy Award nominee and Cannes-award-winning animator and filmmaker, Bill Plympton, kicked off BIFF’s 2012 Workshop Series with a Master Animation Class held in the Canyon Theater at the Boulder Public Library. Plympton charmed the house […]

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FESTIVAL REPORT: B.A.D. PARTY!!!!

Tommy and the Tangerines rock the house at the B.A.D. party. [Photo by Peter Wayne] The first annual BIFF After Dark (B.A.D.) party took place on Saturday, Feb. 18 at the Odd Fellows Hall in Boulder. This incredible bash was, by unanimous consent, the best BIFF party ever! Here are some photos and footage from […]

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FESTIVAL REPORT: "Make a Short Film" Workshop for Students

[Photo by Donna Crain] By Kristen DalyBIFF DigiComm Commando The student workshop was presented Sunday afternoon by Boulder Digital Arts in conjunction with the Boulder Film Festival.  BDA is an amazing resource providing classes, events, technology and space to creators in the digital arts.  The workshop was free to students 13 to 18 and was […]

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FESTIVAL REPORT: "The Movement"

By Mary RususkyBIFF DigiComm Commando Kurt Miller and Greg I. Hamilton both love happy endings.  They recognize that festival films are often calling attention to tragedies, and they were determined to create a film that would be inspiring and give people back something that was lost. Building on a lifetime of high-risk action ski films, […]

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FESTIVAL REPORT: Master Animation Class with Bill Plmypton

Bill Plympton with BCM reporter Kaiti Williamson at the Boulder Public Library. [Photo by Beth Kovacs] By Mary RususkyBIFF DigiComm Commando  One of the great animators, a multiple Oscar nominee and Cannes honoree, Bill Plympton, held a master animation class Saturday during BIFF. He’s made his career as an independent filmmaker and spent the morning […]

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FESTIVAL REPORT: Martin Sheen at BIFF 2012

Master of Cinema Award winner Martin Sheen. [Photo by Beth Kovacs] By Sandi Butchkiss BIFF DigiComm Commando The adoration of Martin Sheen wasobvious from the minute he set foot on the stage at the Boulder Theater Saturday afternoon. The entire sold-out premises rose as one to welcome him and theirenthusiastic and joyful applause visibly moved […]

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FESTIVAL REPORT: "Patriocracy"

“Patriocracy” director Brian Malone (left) and Congressman Jared Polis prior to the screening. [Photo by Randy Malone] By Kristen Daly BIFF DigiComm Commando  Introduced briefly by our very own Congressman Jared Polis, “Patriocracy“ screened to a large crowd that was bright-eyed, bushy-tailed and ready to face issues at 10 a.m. at the Boulder High School.  […]

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FESTIVAL REPORT: Digital Media Symposium, Part 2

Dr. Alvy Ray Smith explains it all to you. [Photo by Peter Wayne] By Kristen DalyBIFF DigiComm Commando The Digital Media Symposium opened with Harris Morris of Harris Broadcasting Communications expounding on a vision to enhance the sports arena experience with digital technologies. This arena experience has been lagging behind the technological capabilities of the […]

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FESTIVAL REPORT: William H. Macy Tribute

[Photo by Randy Malone] By Sandi Butchkiss BIFF DigiComm Commando From the applause, screams andwhistles from the packed house you would think Macy was a rock star. Not just an award winning TV, film and stageactor of high repute. If you couldn’t get a ticket, youmissed him being given the BIFF Vanguard Award for his […]

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FESTIVAL REPORT: Digital Media Symposium, Part 1

Dr. Alvy Ray Smith holding his Lifetime Achievement Award at the DiME. [Photo by Leah Mayotte] By Kristen DalyBIFF DigiComm Commando The DiMe has started out with a groundbreaking line up of new media pioneers.  Dr. Alvy Ray Smith, two-time Academy Award Winner and co-founder of Pixar received the first lifetime achievement award.  As he […]

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LAST NIGHT: Happy crowd, happier honorees

(From left) Producer and BIFF honoree Anthony Bregman, screenwriter Meg Kasdan and writer/director Lawrence Kasdan in front of the Boulder Theater on Opening Night of BFF 2012. [Photo by Randy Malone] By Beth Kovacs, BCM BIFF News and Brad Weismann, BIFFDigiComm Director The weather was cool but the jazz was hot as the Boulder InternationalFilm […]

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BEST BETS: Friday

“Give Up Tomorrow” Here are your best bets for Friday, Feb. 17 at BIFF 2012! 1. “Give Up Tomorrow”Friday, Feb. 17, 5 p.m.First United Methodist Church This film won the Audience and Best New Director Awards at the Tribeca Film Festival! This film is co-presented by Amnesty International. Its Director, Michael Collins, and its producer, […]

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BEHIND THE SCENES: Curtains at the Church

Story and Photos by Donna CrainWorkshops and Panels Coordinator and DigiComm Commando  (Editor’s note: Until now, this amazing story has not been told. Thanks so much, Donna, for documenting it and sharing it with us!) It was at once exciting and harrowing — the perfect give-and-take of comedy and tension. There was a mishap when […]

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Who is ‘The Island President’ and why is he in trouble?

Mohamed Nasheed — “The Island President.” There has never yet been a year where the subjects of films in the Boulder International Film Festival popped up in the news so frequently and so vividly. The latest example of this is the controversy surrounding the recently deposed president of the Republic of Maldives. This nation, spread […]

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BIFF Photos, Gallery Three — Sunday

All the photos in this gallery were taken by Katelyn Hauge-Aldridge: U.S. Representative John Lewis (left) speaks with BIFF’s Ron Bostwick on Sunday afternoon at the Boulder Theater, in conjunction with a screening of Stanley Nelson’s “Freedom Riders,” which took the first-ever BIFF People’s Choice Award.  Director Jim Bigham accepts the award from the Boulder […]

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BIFF reporters, Gallery Two — Katelyn Hauge-Aldridge

James Franco flashes a smile on the way into the Boulder Theater for his tribute Saturday night. Here are some more wonderful shots of BIFF in progress, taken Saturday in and around or venues, these taken by the promising young talent Katelyn Hague-Aldridge. At the BIFF Filmmakers Panel (left to right) Directors Vadim Jendreyko (“The […]

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BIFF field reporters on the job! Gallery One — Zak Wood

James Franco gestures during his interview with BIFF’s Ron Bostwick Saturday night at the Boulder Theater. Wow! For the first time ever, our own Boulder International Film Festival field reporters took to the field and captured a vast array of images and information. This will give you a strong and true sense of what the […]

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BIFF schedule released — 54 films slated for 7th annual festival

“For Once in My Life” is a featured documentary at BIFF 2011. The 7th Annual Boulder International Film Festival (BIFF), voted “one of the coolest film festivals in the world” by MovieMaker magazine, is already making headlines with a star-studded lineup of celebrity guests and today is rolling out its action-packed program. The Festival takes […]

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DiMe converges at BIFF

BY BETH KOVACSDAILY ONE SHEET The inaugural Digital Media Convergence Symposium brought together industry leaders in animation and video gaming to share what know about the future of digital media with their colleagues in the greater digital media community. Robert Reich, from OneRiot, moderated a discussion on the technological advances that have been made, and […]

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BIFF opening night images

The Boulder International Film Festival (BIFF) opened with a great start on Thursday nighat the Boulder Theater. Boulder Community Media (BCM) covered the event that featured the movie “Lightkeepers” directed by Dan Adams and produced by Straw Weisman. Blythe Danner, one of the actors in the movie, was on hand to watch the screening. Click […]

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