For more than two decades, the Boulder International Film Festival has brought a vibrant mix of independent cinema, documentaries and global storytelling to Boulder. This year, the festival returns April 9-12 with 68 films from 29 countries, including 31 Colorado premieres, and roughly 50 filmmakers in attendance.
BIFF alumnus and award-winning actor Alec Baldwin is also making an appearance for a special live podcast recording and interview with Scott Feinberg of The Hollywood Reporter.
“This is going to be an exciting year for BIFF,” says Kathy Beeck, the festival’s co-founder and director. “We’ve got an outstanding line-up of films with over 50 filmmakers in attendance, an incredible Adventure film program, an amazing youth program and Alec Baldwin. There’s really something for everyone.”
Festival passes, ticket packs, special event tickets and tickets to individual screenings are still available on the BIFF website. If you can’t make it to this year’s festival, some of the films included in the lineup will be available on the “BIFF at Home!” virtual platform starting April 13.
Back for its 11th year, CineCHEF kicks off the festival April 9. It’s a friendly competition between award-winning Colorado women chefs—like Linda Hampsten Fox, Jennifer Jasinski and Lauren Leitner—creating dishes inspired by their favorite films. CineCHEF also includes live music, drinks and dessert.
Opening night is April 10 and starts with two parties—one at the Hotel Boulderado and the other at Rembrandt Yard At 6:45 p.m. a brass band will lead partygoers “second line” style o the Boulder Theater for a 7:15 p.m. screening of “Tuner.” The film is directed by Daniel Roher, written by Daniel Roher & Robert Ramsey and stars Leo Woodall, Havana Rose Liu and Dustin Hoffman, courtesy of Black Bear.
In years past, the festival has welcomed more than 25,000 film aficionados. Organizers expect another big year in 2026.
“We’ve had our most successful couple of years ever,” says Kathy Beeck. “We’ve been embraced by Boulder and the film community for two decades, but we’re seeing more and more people come to BIFF as their first film festival experience.”
BIFF is typically held in March. But, starting this year, it’s taking place roughly a month later than usual to accommodate the arrival of the Sundance Film Festival in January 2027.
“With our new spring dates, there’s never been a better time to celebrate great filmmaking and connect with fellow film lovers,” says Kathy Beeck.
Robin Beeck, the festival’s co-founder and executive director, echoed that sentiment, adding that the team is “excited for a springtime BIFF.”
“It’s a very exciting time for the arts in Colorado in general, and especially for the film industry in Boulder,” she adds.
Other BIFF highlights include:
An Afternoon with Alec Baldwin: The Hollywood Reporter’s Scott Feinberg will host a special live recording and interview of Alec Baldwin for his “Awards Chatter” podcast on April 10 at 1:15 p.m. Baldwin will also conduct interviews with a small number of filmmakers following their film screenings. The festival will also host the Colorado premiere of “The Trial of Alec Baldwin,” a documentary by award-winning filmmaker Rory Kennedy.
Adventure Film Program Opening Night: BIFF’s Adventure Film Program includes a special opening night pre-release screening of the first two episodes of the new HBO series “The Dark Wizard,” by Peter Mortimer and Nick Rosen of Boulder’s Sender Films, on April 10 at 7 p.m. Episodes three and four will screen April 11, at 7:30 p.m.
Closing Night Film and Awards Ceremony: Closing night is April 12 and includes a screening of “You Had to Be There,” a film about the legendary 1972 Toronto production of “Godspell,” an event that launched a comedy revolution and the careers of comedy legends including Martin Short, Eugene Levy and Gilda Radner.
“Power Ballad” Colorado Premiere: This film stars Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas, and comes from writer-director John Carney. BIFF describes it as a feel-good story about music, self-respect, friendship, and the price of ambition.
“Los Lobos Native Sons” Colorado Premiere: Enjoy the official Los Lobos documentary by Doug Blush and Piero F. Giunti, which features unprecedented and exclusive footage and offers an intimate and exhilarating look inside this uniquely American band.
“The Christophers” Colorado Premiere: Directed by Steven Soderberg and starring Ian McKellen and Michaela Coel, this film follows the children of a once-famous artist who hire a forger to complete some unfinished, long abandoned canvases so they’ll have an inheritance when he dies.
The BIFF Singer/Songwriter Showcase: Catch free live music at the Velvet Elk Lounge, from 6 to 9 p.m. on April 9, and 4 to 7 p.m. on April 11.
The BIFF Youth Programs: The programs start April 9 with the Teen Short Film Competition screening and awards, and continue with free film screenings and workshops that include a Hollywood screenwriter, two guests from the Sundance Institute, and a filmmakers panel.
The Adventure Film Program: Enjoy thrilling adventure films; discussions with filmmakers, nonprofit leaders, and world-class adventurers; four Call2Action panel discussions; and more than 30 filmmakers, producers, and subjects in attendance.
