Opening Night 2025 - Boulder International Film Festival

Red Carpet Gala & Film

Opening night includes two pre-film parties at the Hotel Boulderado and Rembrandt Yard. Attendees will enjoy delicious food, live music, wine, local craft beers and hard seltzer from Upslope Brewing, and specialty cocktails from WhistlePig. Long-time Boulder favorite Pasta Jay’s will provide Italian signature dishes and house-made specialties, while My Neighbor Felix will serve their tasty Mexican regional cuisine. The parties will also feature inspired selections prepared by the chef instructors and students of the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts. Live music at the parties by Riley J Trio and Dechen Hawk. Then Guerilla Fanfare Brass Band will lead attendees and revelers “second-line” style to the Boulder Theater for the screening of The Friend.

Opening night includes two pre-film parties at the Hotel Boulderado and Rembrandt Yard. Attendees will enjoy delicious food, live music, wine, local craft beers and hard seltzer from Upslope Brewing, and specialty cocktails from WhistlePig. Long-time Boulder favorite Pasta Jay’s will provide Italian signature dishes and house-made specialties, while My Neighbor Felix will serve their tasty Mexican regional cuisine. The parties will also feature inspired selections prepared by the chef instructors and students of the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts. Live music at the parties by Riley J Trio and Dechen Hawk. Then Guerilla Fanfare Brass Band will lead attendees and revelers “second-line” style to the Boulder Theater for the screening of The Friend.

THE FRIEND

US, Feature Film, 120 minutes, 2024

In The Friend, writer and teacher Iris (Naomi Watts) finds her comfortable, solitary New York life thrown into disarray after her closest friend and mentor (Bill Murray) dies suddenly and bequeaths her his beloved 150 lb. Great Dane. The regal yet intractable beast, named Apollo, immediately creates practical problems for Iris, from furniture destruction to eviction notices, as well as more existential ones, his looming presence constantly reminding her of her friend’s problematic choices in both life and death. Yet as Iris finds herself unexpectedly bonding with the animal, she begins to come to terms with her past, her lost friend, and her own creative inner life. Starring Naomi Watts, Bill Murray, Ann Dowd and Constance Wu.

Directed by Scott McGehee, David Siegel
Produced by Liza Chasin, Scott McGehee, David Siegel, Mike Spreter
Boulder Premiere
Courtesy of Bleecker Street Media

THE FRIEND

US, Feature Film, 120 minutes, 2024

In The Friend, writer and teacher Iris (Naomi Watts) finds her comfortable, solitary New York life thrown into disarray after her closest friend and mentor (Bill Murray) dies suddenly and bequeaths her his beloved 150 lb. Great Dane. The regal yet intractable beast, named Apollo, immediately creates practical problems for Iris, from furniture destruction to eviction notices, as well as more existential ones, his looming presence constantly reminding her of her friend’s problematic choices in both life and death. Yet as Iris finds herself unexpectedly bonding with the animal, she begins to come to terms with her past, her lost friend, and her own creative inner life. Starring Naomi Watts, Bill Murray, Ann Dowd and Constance Wu.

Directed by Scott McGehee, David Siegel
Produced by Liza Chasin, Scott McGehee, David Siegel, Mike Spreter
Boulder Premiere
Courtesy of Bleecker Street Media

Friday March 14, 2025

Tickets - $120

– 5:00 pm – 6:45 pm: Pre-Film parties at Hotel Boulderado and Rembrandt Yard
– 6:30 pm: Doors open at Boulder Theater
– 7:15 pm: Film Screening The Friend

*Once a ticket is purchased, seats may not be moved.
*NO REFUNDS. PROGRAM SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
*Ticket Packs are not redeemable for this event.

Purchase Opening Night Tickets

Friday March 14, 2025

Tickets - $120

– 5:00 pm – 6:45 pm: Pre-Film parties at Hotel Boulderado and Rembrandt Yard
– 6:30 pm: Doors open at Boulder Theater
– 7:15 pm: Film Screening The Friend

*Once a ticket is purchased, seats may not be moved.
*NO REFUNDS. PROGRAM SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
*Ticket Packs are not redeemable for this event.

Purchase Opening Night Tickets

Thank You to Our Opening Night Sponsors
Thank You to Our Opening Night Sponsors