What to watch at this year's Boulder International Film Festival
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Boulder International Film Festival co-founders Kathy and Robin Beeck in 2025. Photo: AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post
The Boulder International Film Festival kicks off Friday, bringing new films and documentaries — many with Colorado connections — to local screens.
Why it matters: Even as the arrival of Sundance steals much of the attention, Boulder's long-running festival shows how a homegrown event can still play a crucial role in launching global filmmakers, some with deeply local stories.
What we're watching: Among 68 films, here are a few screenings with in-person filmmaker appearances.
🚲 "No Hands: The Wild Ride of the Schwinn Bicycle Company"
This documentary, narrated by cycling legend Lance Armstrong, pays homage to the Schwinn Bicycle Company.
Zoom in: The company once briefly called Boulder home, and executive producer Jim Packer is a University of Colorado graduate.
- When and where: 12:15pm Saturday at Boulder Theater
- Who will be there: Jim Packer, director Daniel Clarke, producer David Brookwell and writer/executive producer Carl Cramer.
🧗♀️ "Girl Climber"
Following Boulder native and pro climber Emily Harrington as she attempts a career-defining 24-hour ascent of El Capitan. The film reckons with risk after a near-fatal fall.
- When and where: 5pm Saturday at Grace Commons Church
- Who will be there: Emily Harrington, director Jon Glassberg and producer Tyler Young.
⚡️ "Old Man Lightning"
This one's local tie is really just to "bouldering," but the nod to climbing culture tracks legend John "Verm" Sherman as he returns to Yosemite's Midnight Lightning, a route tied to his legacy. The film is directed by Dawn Kish.
- When and where: 4pm Sunday at Grace Commons Church
- Who will be there: John Sherman, Dawn Kish and climber Cedar Wright.
🏔️ "The Dark Wizard"
From Boulder's Sender Films, this series chronicles the life of Dean Potter, one of the most influential and controversial figures in adventure sports, who died in a 2015 accident. BIFF will show an advance screening of the series' first four episodes.
When and where:
- Episodes 1–2, 7pm Friday at Grace Commons Church
- Episodes 3–4, 7:30pm Saturday at Grace Commons Church
- Who will be there: Directors Peter Mortimer and Nick Rosen and producers Olivia Ahnemann, Zachary Barr and Halle Johns.