The Boulder International Film Festival (March 5  – March 8, 2020) offers filmmakers superb hospitality, excellent exposure opportunities and huge, enthusiastic audiences, all combining to create an incredible festival experience.

We have two monetary awards: The $10,000 “Grand Jury Prize: Best Feature Length Film” (Narrative or Documentary) and the $3,000 “Grand Jury Prize: Best Short Film” (Documentary, Narrative, or Animated Short).  Special thanks for this generous gift from the William H. Donner Foundation.

Filmmakers enjoy luxurious upscale accommodations and an exclusive Red Carpet VIP pass to the galas and legendary parties, where interaction with Oscar-winning celebrities and directors is the norm. Major industry who attend the Festival include big-leaguers like The Hollywood Reporter, MovieMaker Magazine, DreamWorks, 20th Century Fox, A & E IndieFilms, and world wide film sales company Submarine Entertainment, among many others. Of course, most people come to Colorado in March to ski. Filmmakers can head up to the slopes for some of the best skiing of the year, complements of BIFF.

With over 25,000 attendees, A-list filmmaker guests, countless opportunities for widespread exposure, and some of the best films and filmmakers working today, it’s clear why BIFF was named one of MovieMaker Magazine’s “25 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee” and “25 Coolest Film Festivals.”

We have been proud to honor some of the world’s most admired talents including Emilio Estevez, James Franco, Shirley MacLaine, Alec Baldwin, Martin Sheen, William H. Macy, Alan Arkin, Bruce Dern, Maria Bello, and director Oliver Stone, along with many independent filmmakers, stars and special guests including legendary musician David Crosby, Grammy Award-winning musician Jakob Dylan, Elliott Gould, Presidential Medal of Freedom honoree Congressman John Lewis, directors Lawrence Kasdan (“The Big Chill”, “Raiders of the Lost Ark”), Anthony Bregman (“Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”), Michael and Mark Polish (“Northfork”), legendary comedian Chevy Chase, and writer John August (“Big Fish”), among many others.

I am about to direct my first feature film, and it all began at the Boulder International Film Festival. I went there with my short film, Lunch Date, which I wrote and directed. I met the Investor and Executive Producer for my upcoming feature film at my screening, and from there, the course of my life changed! We began shooting in London last summer. It’s a wonderful festival which celebrates independent filmmakers, and where truly amazing things happen!

– Sasha Collington – Director