THE BOULDER INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL, (BIFF) 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 influential young film festivals in the U.S., with an extraordinary number of new-but-unknown feature films, documentaries and shorts that have gone on from early screenings at BIFF to significant box-office success and multiple Oscar nominations. Over 14,000 filmmakers, national media, special guests and film enthusiasts attended the four-day BIFF 2009.

The Festival has hosted and celebrated some of independent film’s most talented players, including legendary Indie filmmakers Michael and Mark Polish “The Polish Brothers” (Twin Falls Idaho, Northfork, The Astronaut Farmer), Golden-Globe nominated actress Maria Bello (A History of Violence, The Cooler, Thank You for Smoking), Academy-Award nominated writer and director Susannah Grant (Erin Brockovich, 28 Days, Catch and Release, In Her Shoes), Director Jon Poll (Charlie Bartlett, Producer - The 40-Year Old Virgin) and renowned Hollywood screenwriter John August (Big Fish, Go, The Nines) along with many other independent filmmakers, directors, producers and stars including Academy-Award nominee Eric Roberts, and Patrick Warburton (Seinfeld).

Chevy Chase opened the 2009 festival on February 12 at the Boulder Theater. The 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 Chevy 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 recently voted one of the “25 Coolest Film Festivals” by MovieMaker Magazine(Summer 2009).

Contents 1 The founding of BIFF 2 Educational Outreach & Youth Advisory Council 3 Colorado Film Society 4 Festival Winners 5 References

[edit] The founding of BIFF

The Festival was founded in 2004 by two sisters, Kathy and Robin Beeck (pronounced Beck), who were at the time filmmakers themselves. Having travelled extensively to several festivals with their films, the Beeck sisters saw Boulder, CO 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.”

[edit] 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 (YAC). 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.

[edit] Colorado Film Society

The Colorado Film Society (CFS) is dedicated to nurturing and growing the vibrant film arts community in Boulder and along the Front Range. The mission of the Colorado Film Society (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: (1) the Boulder International Film Festival (BIFF); (2) the CFS Educational Outreach Program; (3) the CFS Community Resource Program; and (4) the CFS Film Series.

An extraordinary number of new films have gone on from early screenings at BIFF to significant box-office success and multiple Oscar nominations. 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, our networking event which provides 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.

[edit] Festival Winners

BIFF 2009

Best Student Film: "In the Dark" Directed by: Alex and Sarah Fazelli

Best New Filmmaker: Sean Baker "The Prince of Broadway"

Best Colorado Film: "They Killed Sister Dorothy" Directed by: Daniel Junge and Henry Ansbacher

Best Environmental Film: "American Outrage" Directed by: Beth and George Gage

Best Animated Film: "Sita Sings the Blues" Directed by: Nina Paley

Best Music Documentary Anvil: "The Story of Anvil" Directed by: Sacha Gervasi

Best Short Film: "Tag" Directed by: Natalya Uglitskikh

Best Short Documentary: "Smile Pinki" Directed by: Megan Mylan

Best Feature Documentary: "Pirate for the Sea" Directed by: Ron Colby and Patricia Van Ryker

Best Feature Film: "Nothing But the Truth" Directed by: Rod Lurie

Best Dramatice Comedy: "Sunshine Cleaning" Directed by: Christine Jeffs

Grand Prize: "Burma VJ: Reporting From a Closed Country" Directed by: Anders Ostergaard and Lise Lense-Miller

BIFF 2008

Best Student Film: "The Replacement Child" Directed by: Justin Lerner

Most Inspirational Film: "The Singing Revolution" Directed by: Jim Tusty and Maureen Castle

Best Comedy: "The Job" Directed by: Jonathan Browning

Best Colorado Film: "Iron Ladies of Liberia" Directed by: Daniel Junge and Siatta Scott Johnson

Best Adventure Film: "3 Peaks 3 Weeks" Directed by: Michael Brown

Best Animation: "The Fog" Directed by: Emilio Ramos

Best Short Film: "Tanghi Argentini" Directed by: Guido Thys

Best Short Documentary: "In Times of War: Ray Parker" Directed by: Mark and Christine Bonn

Best Feature Documentary: "War Dance" Directed by: Andrea Nix and Sean Fine

Best Feature Film: "Charlie Bartlett" Directed by: Jon Poll

Grand Prize: "Stranded" Directed by: Gonzalo Arijon

[edit] References

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