Boulder International Film Festival

This was my 6^th year attending BIFF. This is a film festival that focuses on the quality of the films, and they always have some great ones.
They have a program called «Call to Action,» where if a film moves the audience, the audience can get moving towards helping the cause by learning more by speaking in depth with the film makers or subjects in an close by location. You can meet some really interesting people there.
There’s also a free program for kids at the library, including how to make your own films. The CU @ BIFF program runs simultaneously, offering select films to students.
I like the Filmmakers Lounge at the Lazy Dog for a local beer at 5, and the BAD party on Saturday night at the Oddfellows Hall. Quirky location, great band, fun crowd, Suerte tequila. Walking distance. Good times.
We stayed at the Boulderado, and ate at Shine as much as we could stand. Lucille’s is a great place for breakfast, and cheap lunches at Illegal Petes or the Lazy Dog Saloon. Falafel King did a brisk business too.
Dress in layers because you are going to stand in line, and it gets windy and cold. Bring water and snacks because you can eat in line and/​or take food into the venues (etown and boulder theater only). The best venue for movies is at the high school, which boasts an art deco theater updated with great sound and projection. Parking sucks all the way around. The garage at 15^th and Walnut or the one at Spruce and Broadway are both pretty close, but will fill up before day’s end.
This year the festival had actors doing tidbits of Shakespeare comedies for the people waiting in lines, and a flash mob by 1 billion rising, and local musicians playing before some of the films. They organized a Global Town Hall around the film «God Loves Uganda.» They had a sold out fund raiser called a «foovie,» with food and a movie with a french theme (and chocolates!). They had a thing where you could win a pair of $ 10,000 earrings, and a local third grade teacher won them. That was a pretty sweet moment.
Next year I’m buying all eTown tix. That’s a sweet little theater, and all the best films get second showings there.
I would highly recommend this festival. It’s laid back and forward thinking, free flowing and well organized. I give it five stars.

The Argentinian wanted to show me Boulder. Lucky for us, the Boulder International Film Festival (BIFF) had just started the day prior. After walking through the Boulder Mall (10 minutes) we decided on a movie and a documentary.
BIFF was well organized with a good variety of films to chose from. Had we stayed in Boulder I’m sure we would have spent the day at the BIFF.

This year was my first time attending BIFF and has been awesome! I love the variety and caliber of films they brought to town. Having the church screen films right across the street from the theater makes for super easy transition between the two.
It all seems very well organized and thought out. It has been a joy to watch great works! My only complaint is that all the student discounts and events are for high school students only. What about all the college kids around? I also think it would be nice if there was some sort of package in between the $ 350 VIP pass and buying individual tickets. What about 6 tickets for the price of 5, or something along those lines?
Overall, well done. Hope I’m around for it next year.

Lights, Camera, Action!
Stars, film makers, directors, producers, shorts, documentaries, it’s all here.
I have been going to the Boulder International Film Festival (BIFF) as a volunteer for the past four years, and this year, although I did not have the time to volunteer, I still managed to go to a few films. Let’s be clear, I have never been to another film festival, so I do not have much to compare it to, but I know for a fact, that there is no need to go outside of CO for a festival– just get to BIFF, right in your own backyard, and you’ll get the experience of the century.
Gala events, filmmaker’s receptions, community forums– this event has all the makings of a world class festival, but the intimacy and personality of a CO classic. The films tend to have a big concentration on humanity, the arts and social justice, making the festival an incredible awareness builder.
I would recommend it to anyone, and you can go all out with a $ 400 VIP pass that gets you into everything over the 4 day festival, or you can piece meal your event to fit your budget with individual film tickets that are around $ 10. And what better way is there to watch a great film than in the Boulder Theater with a cocktail and some popcorn?