This Thursday marks the Boulder International Film Festival’s opening night. While there are over 50 feature-length and short films to choose from, you won’t want to miss the phenomenal non-film events we have on tap.
New this year, the Rembrandt Yard Art Gallery & Event Center hosts CineCHEF at 5 p.m. Friday night. Nationally-recognized, local culinary masters took on the challenge of choosing a movie theme and creating film-inspired dishes in a competition with one another. (But everyone eating is gonna feel like they won, right?)
CineCHEF is not included in the festival pass but admission allows guests to sample the culinary magic and decide which chef should be crowned champion. Fine wines from Francis Ford Coppola Winery and local craft beers will be included. The final flourish: Jen Bush of Lucky’s Bakehouse and her incredible desserts. Maxwell Hughes, former guitarist of the Lumineers will provide music throughout the event. For Boulder Foodies, this is a must-taste event.
The Lazy Dog will host the BIFF Filmmaker Lounge all weekend, acting as the festival’s social hub. Your festival pass or ticket stub grants you free entry to the lounge and half off of your second drink! Attend on Saturday from 4 to 6 p.m. to get free drinks and appetizers with your stub or pass! Additionally, The Lounge will host the Filmmaker Panel Saturday at 11 a.m. This is BIFF’s longest-running special feature and is your opportunity to rub elbows with filmmakers and the festival’s glitterati. The Lazy Dog will also host a lineup of amazing singers and songwriters every day between 4 p.m. and 1 a.m.
On opening night, a modified electric car will project a giant whale atop Boulder’s buildings, highlighting the festival’s closing night film, Racing Extinction. The electric race car will be traveling around to surrounding cities, but Boulder will see it first to kick off the festival and to visually tease the upcoming awesomeness.
While your weekend is certainly stacked with films, be sure to carve out time see the projections above Pearl Street, eat some delicious film-inspired foods, dance to some funky tunes, and hear from your favorite filmmakers. See you at the festival!
