Two decades is a long time for any event to last, so it’s easy to understand why sisters Kathy and Robin Beeck, the founders and directors of the Boulder International Film Festival, wanted to make the 20th anniversary of the community-driven festival a big celebration for everybody.
“We have a lot celebrate and want to share that with the community that has embraced us so much,” Kathy said. “Film festivals are about building community and growing relationships, and we’ve gotten to the point where this is something our community looks forward to all year.”
The 20th Boulder International Film Festival runs from Thursday, Feb. 29 through Sunday, March 3, in downtown Boulder. This year’s lineup includes 74 films from 25 countries, community events and much more.
About 50 filmmakers will be attending this year, including acclaimed actress Laura Linney, but the festival has long prided itself on its locally-driven programing. There are 18 films taking part in the festival made by Colorado filmmakers and many of the special events feature local talents.
“One of our most popular events is the BIFF Singer/Songwriter Showcase, which provides free live music performances by local musicians,” Kathy said. “We found with so many filmmakers coming to town, they’re often looking for music to add to their films. It’s just one of the beautiful layers we’ve added to the event.”
Some of the film highlights from this year include opener “Ezra,” which stars Robert De Niro, Bobby Cannavale and Rose Bryne, “Wildcat,” directed by Ethan Hawke, featuring Maya Hawke and Linney (who will receive the festival’s Vanguard Award), and “Cirque du Soleil: Without a Net,” a documentary about the famous traveling circus.
BIFF really goes all out on the special events and that remains the case this year. There’s the popular CineCHEF event, which will be held on Thursday, Feb. 29, and features eight Colorado chefs creating dishes inspired by their favorite classic films. And The Adventure Film Pavilion is back, a feature that Kathy loves.
“This is our fourth year hosting the pavilion have we have a fantastic program,” she said. “You just get sucked into these great movies that we’ll be showing there. There’s really something for everybody at the pavilion.”
Organizers want to ensure the community that has kept the festival thriving for 20 years gets to take part in the festivities, so there will be a Free Community Day on Saturday, March 2, at eTown Hall. This event will feature free screenings of five favorite films from the festivals first 20 years and BIFF will also be handing out free birthday cakes on the Pearl Street Mall.
“The festival is a great opportunity to go and escape and meet some wonderful people,” Kathy said. “We have such great films this year and seeing a great movie is something that can stick with you for your whole life.”
Full details and ticket options can be found at biff1.com.
A Rich, Historical Cake Comes to Northglenn
There are some topics that are easier discussed when food is involved. That’s what Dasha Kelly Hamilton, a writer and performer who was named Wisconsin Poet Laureate and Milwaukee’s Artist of the Year in 2021, brings to her show, “Makin’ Cake.” She’ll be performing the work at the Parsons Theatre, 1 E. Memorial Parkway Entrance in Northglenn, at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 24.
According to provided information, in the show, she “slices into American history exploring race, culture and class in a refreshing and fun way.” Hamilton even leaves room for dessert and dialogue, with a cake reception immediately following the performance.
Find information and tickets at https://ci.ovationtix.com/36492/production/1154575.
Flow Down River with John Fielder
Photographer John Fielder is one of the most well-known creatives in Colorado history, and his landscape photos capture something quintessential about the state’s natural landscape. As the keeper of Fielder’s Colorado Collection, History Colorado has unveiled a yearlong exhibit called Flow: On the River with John Fielder on display at the History Colorado Center, 1200 Broadway in Denver.
Set up in the John Fielder Mezzanine Gallery, the exhibit uses iconic large-format prints and Fielder quotes to focus on the uses and importance of the Colorado River.
Get the details at www.historycolorado.org/exhibit/flow-john-fielder.
Clarke’s Concert of the Week — The Paper Kites at the Ogden Theatre
Australia’s The Paper Kites specialize in a kind of folk rock that effortlessly moves from wistful and melancholy to stirring and invigorating. They don’t have a bad album in their discography and last year’s “At the Roadhouse” continues that streak, providing listeners with the perfect music to play at the end of the day.
In support of the album, The Paper Kites will be performing at the Ogden Theatre, 935 E. Colfax Ave. in Denver, at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 28. They’ll be joined by alt-country singer/songwriter Bella White for an evening of gorgeous music.
Get tickets at www.ticketmaster.com.
Clarke Reader’s column on culture appears on a weekly basis. He can be reached at Clarke.Reader@hotmail.com.