Close out the festival at the Boulder Theater with the vibrant neo-soul and pop energy of the Riley J Band. This performance will be followed by the BIFF Awards Ceremony, where we’ll honor the best of the fest with handcrafted Vielehr award sculptures. Then, enjoy a screening of the excellent new film You Had to Be There: How the Toronto Godspell Ignited the Comedy Revolution about the legendary 1972 Canadian production of Godspell that changed entertainment forever.
Close out the festival at the Boulder Theater with the vibrant neo-soul and pop energy of the Riley J Band. This performance will be followed by the BIFF Awards Ceremony, where we’ll honor the best of the fest with handcrafted Vielehr award sculptures. Then, enjoy a screening of the excellent new film You Had to Be There: How the Toronto Godspell Ignited the Comedy Revolution about the legendary 1972 Canadian production of Godspell that changed entertainment forever.
YOU HAD TO BE THERE: HOW THE TORONTO GODSPELL IGNITED THE COMEDY REVOLUTION, SPREAD LOVE & OVERALLS, AND CREATED A COMMUNITY THAT CHANGED THE WORLD (IN A CANADIAN KIND OF WAY)
US, Feature Documentary, 98 minutes, 2025
On June 1, 1972, a scrappy production of Godspell opened at Toronto’s Royal Alexandra Theatre and accidentally launched a comedy supernova. What looked like a bunch of singing, overall-clad hippies retelling the Gospel of Matthew turned out to be a talent incubator of remarkable proportions. During its 14-month run, the cast included future comedy royalty: Martin Short, Eugene Levy, Gilda Radner, Andrea Martin, Dave Thomas, Jayne Eastwood, Victor Garber, and musical director Paul Shaffer. Yes, that many legends really were in one show. Lightning struck. Repeatedly. The production’s loose, improvisational vibe helped shape the sensibility that would later define Saturday Night Live, SCTV, and a generation of film and TV comedy. Nick Davis’ documentary captures the magic through lively interviews and playful recreations (since, tragically, no one in 1972 thought to film everything on a smartphone). You Had to Be There brings this special time back into the present with an irrepressible sense of joy.
Directed by Nick Davis
Produced by Nick Davis, Susan Turley, Tom Powers, Stewart F. Lane, Bonnie Comley, Josh Church, Jan Gura, Zachary Hausman, Kinder Labatt
Colorado Premiere
Nick Davis in person
YOU HAD TO BE THERE: HOW THE TORONTO GODSPELL IGNITED THE COMEDY REVOLUTION, SPREAD LOVE & OVERALLS, AND CREATED A COMMUNITY THAT CHANGED THE WORLD (IN A CANADIAN KIND OF WAY)
US, Feature Documentary, 98 minutes, 2025
On June 1, 1972, a scrappy production of Godspell opened at Toronto’s Royal Alexandra Theatre and accidentally launched a comedy supernova. What looked like a bunch of singing, overall-clad hippies retelling the Gospel of Matthew turned out to be a talent incubator of remarkable proportions. During its 14-month run, the cast included future comedy royalty: Martin Short, Eugene Levy, Gilda Radner, Andrea Martin, Dave Thomas, Jayne Eastwood, Victor Garber, and musical director Paul Shaffer. Yes, that many legends really were in one show. Lightning struck. Repeatedly. The production’s loose, improvisational vibe helped shape the sensibility that would later define Saturday Night Live, SCTV, and a generation of film and TV comedy. Nick Davis’ documentary captures the magic through lively interviews and playful recreations (since, tragically, no one in 1972 thought to film everything on a smartphone). You Had to Be There brings this special time back into the present with an irrepressible sense of joy.
Directed by Nick Davis
Produced by Nick Davis, Susan Turley, Tom Powers, Stewart F. Lane, Bonnie Comley, Josh Church, Jan Gura, Zachary Hausman, Kinder Labatt
Colorado Premiere
Nick Davis in person
Sunday April 12, 2026
Tickets - $25 (FREE for Passholders)
– 6:00 pm: Passholder Doors open at Boulder Theater
– 6:15pm: Public Doors open at Boulder Theater
– 6:00pm – 7:00pm: Live Music featuring the Riley J Band
– 7:00pm: Awards Ceremony
– 7:15 pm: Film Screening You Had to Be There: How the Toronto Godspell Ignited the Comedy Revolution
Sunday April 12, 2026
Tickets - $28
– 6:00 pm: Passholder Doors open at Boulder Theater
– 6:15pm: Public Doors open at Boulder Theater
– 6:00pm – 7:00pm: Live Music
– 7:00pm: Awards Ceremony
– 7:15 pm: Film Screening You Had to Be There: How the Toronto Godspell Ignited the Comedy Revolution
