Named one of the “25 Coolest Film Festivals” this summer by MovieMaker Magazine, the Boulder International Film Festival (BIFF) brings films from around the world, conversations with directors, producers, screenwriters and actors, red carpet glamour and Hollywood stars all to the foot of the Rockies. The Festival takes place in beautiful Boulder, Colo., Feb. 11-14, and will bring films, filmmakers and international fans together for a four-day celebration of the fine art of filmmaking.
“Blythe Danner’s Oscar-worthy performance makes the battling of wits into an art form.”
BIFF has become a must-attend film festival with screenings, parties, a red carpet gala and special events,” said Kathy Beeck, director of BIFF. “We’ve screened hundreds of independent films this year to make sure BIFF attendees see the best films available. The festival features award-winning films and filmmakers from all over the world, and we are pleased to bring them to the Boulder community and festival attendees.”
The Festival kicks off Thursday, Feb. 11 at 6:30 p.m. with an Opening Night Red-Carpet Gala and screening of “The Lightkeepers,” starring Richard Dreyfuss, Blythe Danner, Bruce Dern, Tom Wisdom and Mamie Gummer. “The Lightkeepers” tells the story of Seth Atkins, the lightkeeper for Eastham Light, a lighthouse on a deserted beach in Cape Cod in the year 1912. A mysterious man takes the position of assistant lightkeeper, and the two men swear an oath to never get involved with women. However, they soon find themselves contending with two female summer visitors. Movie Pictures Magazine says, “Blythe Danner’s Oscar-worthy performance makes the battling of wits into an art form.” Following the screening of the film, Danner, writer and director Daniel Adams, and producer Straw Weisman will participate in a live question and answer session with the audience.
Danner’s films include “The Great Santini,” co-starring Robert Duvall, “Meet the Parents” and “Meet the Fockers,” co-starring Robert DeNiro, “Mr. and Mrs. Bridge,” co-starring Joanne Woodward and Paul Newman; “The Prince of Tides,” co-starring Barbra Streisand; as well as three Woody Allen films. She also appeared in “Sylvia,” with her daughter, Gwyneth Paltrow. Danner has won a Tony and two Emmy awards, and has been involved with environmental issues for over 35 years. She is currently filming “Little Fockers.”
The Opening Night Red-Carpet Gala will kick off with Lannie Garrett’s spectacular musical performance of “Songs from the Movies” with her Errand Boys of Rhythm Quintet, as well as appetizers prepared by Savory Cuisines and luxury chocolates from Seth Ellis Chocolatier.
BIFF’s Closing Night Awards Ceremony, taking place Sunday, Feb. 14 at 7 p.m., will feature a tribute to Alec Baldwin, Oscar-nominated and Emmy award-winning television, stage and film actor. The evening’s tribute to Baldwin will include a film retrospective of his work followed by a question and answer session hosted by BIFF executive producer Ron Bostwick. Baldwin will be honored with an Award of Excellence in Acting, and the event will also include delicious desserts from the Cheesecake Factory, and variety of coffees from Ozo. Tony Bennett’s pianist, Ralph Sharon, will provide the entertainment for the evening.
Film highlights from the festival include:
“I Am Love”
Direct to BIFF from Sundance, this Italian feature film was a winner at the Venice Film Festival. Starring Tilda Swinton, this drama portrays the irresistible heat of forbidden passion within the constrained upper-class mores of an Italian family.
“Last Train Home”
On the 2010 Academy Awards short list. The world’s largest human migration takes place each year in China as 130 million factory workers fight for space on overcrowded trains to return home for the Spring Festival. This beautiful film captures two years in the life of the Zhangs, who left the poverty of the countryside and their children behind with their extended family. View Trailer.
“Mugabe and the White African”
On the Academy awards shortlist. Michael Campbell is one of the few hundred white farmers left in Zimbabwe since President Robert Mugabe began his violent land seizure program in 2000. In 2008, Campbell took the unprecedented step of challenging Robert Mugabe before international court, charging him and his government with racial discrimination and violations of human rights. View Trailer.
Other BIFF films not to be missed:
* “The Misfortunates,” Belgium’s entry to the 2010 Academy Awards. A high-energy film that follows 13-year-old Gunther as he tries to escape his depressing genetic history. View Trailer
* “Soundtrack for a Revolution,” depicts the American civil rights movement through the music that fortified protestors as they struggled for equality, with music by The Roots, Wyclef Jean, Joss Stone, Richie Havens and Harry Belafonte. View Trailer.
* “A Film with Me In It” This is a morbidly delightful account of a hapless out-of-work Dublin actor named Mark, who is struggling to make it through a day from hell. Together with his hilarious neighbor, Pierce, they hatch a desperate plan of treating their predicament like a film scenario and try to rewrite the day. View Trailer.
* “The Most Dangerous Man in America; Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers,” depicts the high-level Pentagon official, former Marine and Vietnam War hawk who discovers top-secret reports detailing the lies the Pentagon had been telling the public about the war. View Trailer.
All festival tickets will go on sale today at www.biff1.com, www.bouldertheater.com or by calling 303-786-7030. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students and seniors 65 and older. All-access festival VIP passes, including tickets and access to the Opening Night Gala and the Closing Night Awards Ceremony and Tribute, can be purchased for $345. Tickets for the Opening Night Gala are $50 and Closing Night Awards Ceremony tickets are $40.
For more information about the festival please go to www.biff1.com.
Sponsors of this year’s Festival include: KBCO, Linhart PR, St Julien Hotel and Spa, Daily Camera, Comcast Spotlight, Premier Members Federal Credit Union, Flowcreative, People Productions, Backpacker magazine, Flatirons Subaru, 5280 Magazine, Hotel Boulderado, Boulder Magazine, Brock Publishing, Downtown Boulder, Inc., Bácaro Venetian Taverna, Around the Bend Media, Ball Aerospace 7 technologies Corp., The Millstone Evans Group, First Western Trust Bank, among others.
Contacts
Boulder International Film Festival
Kathy Beeck, 303-449-2289
kathy@biff1.com
or
Linhart Public Relations
Anna Lindsey, 303-951-2565
alindsey@linhartpr.com
