Boulder International Film Festival
The Boulder International Film Festival, sponsored by the Colorado Film Society, is held annually on Presidents Day Weekend in Boulder, Colorado USA, and has developed a reputation as one of the most compelling young film festivals in the U.S., exhibiting a number of new-but-unknown feature films, documentaries, animations, and shorts that have gone on to significant box-office success and multiple Oscar nominations, including Monsieur Lazhar, Burma VJ, Revanche, Wasp, Miracle Fish, The Conscience of Nhem Eh, Waste Land, Incident in New Baghdad, Instead of Abracadabra, Raju, The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore, West Bank Story, The Secret of Kells, 5 Broken Cameras, Chasing Ice, Curfew, Asad, The Missing Picture, and The Wind Rises. More than 23,600 filmmakers, national media, special guests and film enthusiasts attended the four-day BIFF 2014.
BIFF has shown the work of other honored filmmakers such as Danny Boyle, Jason Reitman, Daniel Junge, Helen Hunt, Marshall Curry, Luc Besson, and Lasse Halstrom.
The Founding of BIFF
The Festival was founded in 2004 by two sisters from Boulder, CO, filmmakers Kathy and Robin Beeck. Having traveled extensively to film festivals worldwide with their films, the Beeck sisters saw Boulder as the perfect venue for a new festival which celebrated "the bold spirit of independent filmmaking." With BIFF, the sisters created what they perceived as a "filmmaker's film festival."Festival co-creator Robin Beeck's secret to a great festival: “The theme of the festival is great storytelling. No matter what the budget, the mainstay has to be a wonderful, great story. We’ve got great stories that were expensive to make, and we have great stories that were made on a shoestring budget.”
Colorado Film Society
The Colorado Film Society, a non-profit umbrella organization, hosts the annual Film Festival. CFS is dedicated to nurturing and growing the vibrant film arts community in Boulder and along the Front Range. The mission of the CFS is to encourage and celebrate the art of film by creating a dynamic forum for artistic, social and cultural awareness in the community. The CFS offers four programs throughout the year: the Boulder International Film Festival ; the CFS Educational Outreach Program; the CFS Community Resource Program; and the CFS Film Series.The CFS also inspires tomorrow’s film artists through year-round educational outreach programs, including “World Cinema Days” which bring international film, filmmakers, and presentations to local students; through Schmoozers, networking events which provide a venue for people involved or interested in the film arts and industry to mix and mingle, and through the CFS Community Resource Program, which provides various forms of no-cost support, resources and mentorship to many arts organizations in Boulder County.
Special Guests & Honorees
The Festival has hosted and celebrated many award-winning film figures, including Shirley MacLaine, Peter Fonda, Oliver Stone, William H. Macy, Alec Baldwin, Golden Globe-nominated actress Maria Bello, filmmakers Michael and Mark Polish, Academy Award-nominated writer and director Susannah Grant, masterful actor Martin Sheen, renowned Hollywood screenwriter John August along with many others, including Bill Plympton, Blythe Danner, James Franco, Don Hahn, and Lawrence Kasdan.2005
The festival's inaugural season showcased more than 50 films from around the world. Among the highlights were documentaries such as "Seoul Train," "Mardi Gras: Made in China" and "The Liberace of Baghdad," the regional premiere of Danny Boyle's "Millions," an early short from Jason Reitman, and a hilarious feature film from Curtis and Paul Hannum -- "The Real Old Testament," the Bible presented as reality TV.2006
Special guest artists during BIFF's coldest year to date included Maria Bello, Patrick Warburton, Eric Roberts, and screenwriter Amy Fox. Director Andrew Quigley received a Special Jury Prize for his documentary "Diameter of the Bomb."2007
An eclectic mix of guests included the Polish Brothers, screenwriter John August, the Denver Slam Poetry Team, and a contingent of air-guitar masters, the last in conjunction with the amazing documentary "Air Guitar Nation."2008
Among the high points of the 2008 BIFF were the opening-night premiere of Helen Hunt's directorial debut, "And Then She Found Me," the screening of Alex Gibney's "Taxi to the Dark Side," which won the Oscar shortly thereafter; concertizing by local luminaries such as Hazel Miller and Otis Taylor; an offsite showing of Eisenstein's classic "Alexander Nevsky," with the Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra playing the original score; and a sold-out closing night featuring the documentary "Stranded: I've Come from a Plane That Crashed on the Mountains."2009
opened the 2009 Festival at the Boulder Theater. Emmy award-winning comedian, writer and actor, Chase received an Award of Excellence in Comedy which was followed by a film retrospective honoring his work. Mr. Chase then participated in a Q&A session hosted by Ron Bostwick, BIFF executive producer."Not only has Mr. Chase graced so many classic comedic films and been a major influence to countless comedians, he has also been a tireless advocate for this country's environmental movement which Coloradans are so passionate about," said Kathy Beek, festival co-founder and director. "We are truly honored Chevy is able to join us for a lively start to the festival."
BIFF was voted one of the “25 Coolest Film Festivals” MovieMaker Magazine.
2010
Closing Night of BIFF 2010 was a tribute to Alec Baldwin which included a film retrospective of his work followed by a question and answer session hosted by BIFF Executive Producer Ron Bostwick.Three weeks following BIFF, Baldwin co-hosted the 2010 Academy Awards ceremony with his It’s Complicated co-star Steve Martin. Baldwin stars with Tina Fey on NBC’s “30 Rock”, winner of the Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series for the past three years. He’s received three SAG Awards, two Golden Globes, the Television Critics Award, and two Emmies for Best Actor in a Comedy Series.
“We are thrilled to have Mr. Baldwin attending the Boulder International Film Festival,” said Kathy Beeck, festival co-founder and director. “He’s a magnificent actor who has influenced many young actors and comedians, and we’re honored he will join us at this year’s festival.”
2011
Besides featuring visits by Oliver Stone and James Franco, BIFF 2011 was crammed with significant content. From the festive opening-night feature "Troubadors" through the vibrant madness of "The Last Circus," an examination of the controversial legacy of Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche in "Crazy Wisdom," a look at film preservation in "These Amazing Shadows," "Bag It!", "For Once in My Life," "Armadillo," and more, BIFF truly covered the world. Most moving was a "Freedom Riders" post-screening conversation with Congressman John Lewis.2012
and Martin Sheen were honored at the 2012 BIFF where both actors appeared to speak on stage as well as host a Q&A session. Anthony Bregman, producer of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and famed and Raiders of the Lost Ark screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan were honorary guests as well.2013
was BIFF's closing-night guest in 2013. BIFF's Singer/Songwriter Showcase really came into its own that year, and educational outreach programs such as the Youth Pavilion, CU @ BIFF, and expanded workshops and panels all attracted new crowds.2014
received the Career Achievement Award during her tribute at BIFF in 2014. For the first time ever, BIFF's fundraising FOOVIE sold out and raised $15,000 for year-round BIFF programming. In addition, 2014 saw the release of an open-source Call 2 Action Toolkit that film festivals across the globe can use to easily adopt the festival's signature Call 2 Action program, joining the movement to harness the power of film for positive social change.2018
Josh Walker, Rodes Rollins and Dallas Thornton performed at the 2018 BIFF Singer-Songwriter Showcase in Boulder Colorado.Educational Outreach & Youth Advisory Council
In keeping with its commitment to bringing independent films to a wider audience the Festival formed a Youth Advisory Council. The Council was founded in 2008 and is made up of 12-15 local film enthusiasts in grades 8-12. The Council represents a youth voice at the Festival and helps select films for its student film program, juries the student film category and helps organize and promote film opportunities for students in Boulder County.In addition to its Youth Advisory Council, BIFF hosts several 'World Cinema Days' throughout the school year. Their goal is to keep students meaningfully engaged by screening thoughtful student appropriate documentaries, films and animation during unstructured days off such as teacher “professional development” or “in-service days.” And to help parents arrange activities for their child on these non-school days. Features a free film program, presentations and group discussion for students in grade 4 through 12.
BIFF also works closely with the Boulder Public Library in offering free film to Boulder audiences through its 'Spotlight on BIFF' series at the Boulder Public Library Film Program in September, October, and November. The Spotlight includes ten “Best of the Fest” films and is free to students and the public.
Festival Winners
BIFF 2014| Category | Film | Director |
| People's Choice Award | Keep On Keepin' On | Alan Hicks |
| Best Feature Film | Le Week-End | Roger Michell |
| Best Documentary | Finding Vivian Maier | John Maloof and Charlie Siskel |
| Catalyst Award | Alive Inside | Michael Rosato-Bennett |
| Best Short Film | Saturday Girls | Emilie Cherpitel |
| Special Jury Award for Documentary Film | Mistaken for Strangers | Tom Berninger |
| Best Colorado Film | High and Hallowed: Everest 1963 | David Morton and Jake Norton |
| Best Call 2 Action Film | Documented | Jose Antonio Vargas |
| Best New Filmmaker | Keep On Keepin' On | Alan Hicks |
| Best Editing | No No: A Dockumentary | Jeffrey Radice |
BIFF 2013
| Category | Film | Director |
| Best Short Film | Asad | Brian Buckley |
| Best Documentary Short | Open Heart | Kief Davidson |
| Best Call 2 Action Film | The Last Ocean | Peter Young |
| Best Documentary | Little World | Marcel Barrena |
| Best Feature Film | Blancanieves | Pablo Berger |
| Best Adventure Film | The Summit | Nick Ryan |
| People's Choice Award | Rising from the Ashes | TC Johnstone |
| Grand Prize | Muscle Shoals | Greg "Freddy" Camalier |
BIFF 2012
| Category | Film | Director |
| Best Short Film | A Finger, Two Dots, Then Me | Daniel Holechek, David M. Holechek |
| Best Documentary Short | Incident in New Baghdad | James Spione |
| Best Call 2 Action Film | High Ground | Michael Brown |
| Best Documentary | Wild Horse, Wild Ride | Alex Dawson, Greg Gricus |
| Best Feature Film | Monsieur Lazhar | Phillippe Faiardeau |
| Best Adventure Film | Chasing Ice | Jeff Orlowski |
| People's Choice Award | High Ground | Michael Brown |
BIFF 2011
| Category | Film | Director |
| Best New Filmmaker | Touch | Jen McGowan |
| Best Animated Film | Thembi's Diary | Jisoo Kim |
| Best Call 2 Action Film | For Once in My Life | Jim Bigham |
| Best Colorado Film | Mother | Christophe Fauchere |
| Best Short Film | Glenn Owen Dodds | Frazer Bailey |
| Best Short Documentary | One Thousand Pictures: RFK's Last Journey | Jennifer Stoddart |
| Best Feature Documentary | Regretters | Marcus Lindeen |
| Best Feature Film | Mamas & Papas | Alice Nellis |
| People’s Choice Award | Freedom Riders | Stanley Nelson |
BIFF 2010
| Category | Film | Director |
| Most Creative Documentary | Waking Sleeping Beauty | Don Hahn |
| Best Call 2 Action Film | Dive! | Jeremy Seifert |
| Best Colorado Film | Diplomacy | Jonathan Goldman |
| Best Adventure Film | The Wildest Dream | Anthony Geffen |
| Best Animated Film | Secret of Kells | Tomm Moore |
| Best Short Film | The Morse Collectors | David Cooke |
| Best Short Documentary | No Strings | Daniel Junge |
| Best Feature Documentary | The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers | Rick Goldsmith and Judy Ehrlich |
| Best Feature Film | I Am Love | Luca Guadagnimo |
| Grand Prize | Ajami | Scandar Copti and Yaron Shani |
BIFF 2009
| Category | Film | Director |
| Best Student Film | In the Dark | Alex and Sarah Fazelli |
| Best New Filmmaker | The Prince of Broadway | Sean Baker |
| Best Colorado Film | They Killed Sister Dorothy | Daniel Junge and Henry Ansbacher |
| Best Environmental Film | American Outrage | Beth and George Gage |
| Best Animated Film | Sita Sings the Blues | Nina Paley |
| Best Music Documentary | The Story of Anvil | Sacha Gervasi |
| Best Short Film | Tag | Natalya Uglitskikh |
| Best Short Documentary | Smile Pinki | Megan Mylan |
| Best Feature Documentary | Pirate for the Sea | Ron Colby and Patricia Van Ryker |
| Best Feature Film | Nothing But the Truth | Rod Lurie |
| Best Dramatic Comedy | Sunshine Cleaning | Christine Jeffs |
| Grand Prize | Burma VJ: Reporting From a Closed Country | Anders Ostergaard and Lise Lense-Miller |
BIFF 2008
| Category | Film | Director |
| Best Student Film | The Replacement Child | Justin Lerner |
| Most Inspirational Film | The Singing Revolution | Jim Tusty and Maureen Castle |
| Best Colorado Film | Iron Ladies of Liberia | Daniel Junge and Siatta Scott Johnson |
| Best Comedy | The Job | Jonathan Browning |
| Best Animated Film | The Fog | Emilio Ramos |
| Best Short Film | Tanghi Argentini | Guido Thys |
| Best Short Documentary | In Times of War: Ray Parker | Mark and Christine Bonn |
| Best Feature Documentary | War Dance | Andrea Nix and Sean Fine |
| Best Feature Film | Charlie Bartlett | Jon Poll |
| Best Adventure Film | 3 Peaks 3 Weeks | Michael Brown |
| Grand Prize | Stranded | Gonzalo Arijon |
BIFF 2007
| Category | Film | Director |
| Best Student Film | Lucky | Avie Luthra |
| Best New Filmmaker | Hamilton | Matthew Porterfield |
| Best Editing | Drunk in Public | David J. Sperling |
| Best Short Film | High Maintenance | Phillip Van |
| Best Colorado Film | Purvis of Overtown | David Raccuglia and Shaun Conrad |
| Best Animated Film | Badgered | Sharon Coleman |
| Best Short Documentary | Talk to Me | Mark Craig |
| Best Documentary | Air Guitar Nation | Alexandra Lipsitz |
| Best Documentary | The Cats of Mirikitani | Linda Hattendorf |
| Best Feature Film | Journey from the Fall | Ham Tran |
| Grand Prize | In the Shadow of the Moon | David Sington |
BIFF 2006
| Category | Film | Director |
| Best Student Film | The Saviour | Peter Templeman |
| Best New Filmmaker | Frozen Food Section | Andrew Menan |
| Best Short Film | West Bank Story | Ari Sandel |
| Best Colorado Film | Light of the Himalaya | Michael Brown |
| Best Animated Film | Magda | Chel White |
| Best Short Documentary | Carhenge: Genius or Junk? | David Libran |
| Best Documentary | Boys of Baraka | Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady |
| Best Adventure Film | Ride across America | Stephen Auerbach |
| Best Feature Film | C.R.A.Z.Y. | Jean-Marc Vallee |
| Best Actress | C.R.A.Z.Y. | Danielle Proulx |
| Best Actor | The Civilization of Maxwell Bright | Patrick Warburton |
| Special Jury Award | Diameter of the Bomb | Andrew Quigley |
BIFF 2005
| Category | Film | Director |
| Best Student Film | Pee Shy | Deb Hagen |
| Best Short Film | Down Dog | Richard Roll |
| Best Short Film | Gay by Dawn | Jonathan London |
| Best Colorado Film | Subdivision, Colorado | Neil Widener |
| Best Animated Film | Road Raged Rodent | Patrick Mallek |
| Best Short Documentary | Caught in Paint | Rita Blitt |
| Best Documentary | Seoul Train | Jim Butterworth and Aaron Lubarsky |
| Best Adventure Film | Farther than the Eye Can See | Michael Brown |
| Best Feature Film | The Real Old Testament | Curtis and Paul Hannum |
| Award of Excellence | The Liberace of Baghdad | Sean McAllister |