After 21 years of bringing cinematic magic to the Front Range, the Boulder International Film Festival is officially old enough to sit back, relax and legally order a nice glass of riesling. And in Colorado, it can stroll into a casino, put some money down at the roulette table, and see where the night takes it.

But cinephiles won’t find festival founders Robin and Kathy Beeck leaving anything to chance. For more than two decades, the sisters have overseen the festival — as it has transformed from a scrappy little indie flick, with only 5,000 attendees in its debut year, into a full-fledged blockbuster, annually drawing over 25,000 film lovers, industry insiders and the more-than-occasional A-list celebrity.

BIFF has always been more than a run-of-the-mill curated film screening event. Rather, it’s a four-day cinematic daydream, packed with gripping cinema, filmmaker Q&As and post-movie conversations that make attendees go home and take a long, hard look at themselves in the mirror.

This year’s festival will bring together over 60 filmmakers, nine premieres, six celebrated special guests, and dozens upon dozens of screenings across eight venues and two cities.

Longmont’s Opening Night reception begins at 5:30 p.m. March 14 in the Stewart Auditorium Atrium in the Longmont Museum, 400 Quail Road, Longmont. The party is free for those with a March 14 film ticket or Longmont festival pass. There will be appetizers from The Roost, Jefe’s and Swaylo’s, wine and local beers from Upslope Brewing. The Harriman Sisters will provide the live tunes. A Longmont pass is $195 and a ticket to the collection of short films screened on March 14 is $19.

Boulder will have two Opening Night parties: At the Hotel Boulderado, 2115 13th St., Boulder, there will be bites inspired by cuisines around the world from the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, wine, beer and live music by Riley J. Trio. At Rembrandt Yard, 1301 Spruce St., Boulder, Pasta Jay’s will serve up Italian plates, My Neighbor Felix will offer Mexican cuisine and Dechen Hawk will perform the music. Both parties begin at 5:30 p.m. March 14.

The masterminds behind this merriment are the dynamic sister duo, Kathy and Robin Beeck, who have been writing BIFF’s story from the beginning.

We’ll give readers a rundown of BIFF 2025 through the eyes of the two icons who know it best.

The festival’s signature event, the Red Carpet Gala, revs up the energy with at 6:30 p.m. March 14 event at the Boulder Theater, 2032 14th St., Boulder. This lively and colorful celebration will set the tone for the rest of the weekend in classic BIFF fashion — complete with a packed house, a splash of Hollywood star power and a movie that couldn’t be more perfectly suited for Boulder’s dog-obsessed crowd.

The opening night film, “The Friend,” will start at 7:15 p.m. March 14. This heartwarming canine-centric dramedy stars Naomi Watts, Bill Murray and a 150-pound Great Dane named Apollo (who may or may not be gunning for the festival’s unofficial Best Actor award).

“The Friend” follows the story of a reserved writer (Watts) whose life is upended when her late mentor (Murray) leaves her his unruly dog. “The Friend” is warm, funny and full of moments that will feel familiar to anyone who’s had their world thrown into chaos by a four-legged companion.

“You can’t lose when you have a 150-pound Great Dane as one of the stars,” said Robin Beeck. “It’s going to play great here.”

After the festival’s opening night shindigs, the Beecks wasted no time in diving into a lineup of films featuring special guests who have, quite frankly, made the rest of us look like underachievers. From legendary athletes to groundbreaking musicians, world-renowned designers to elite triathletes and an iconic comedic actor, this year’s roster of honored guests is enough to make anyone reconsider their life choices.

First up is comedian veteran, entertainer and all-around scene-stealing icon Jane Lynch. BIFF announced this week that Lynch will be presented, in person, with the Entertainer of the Year Award, following an hourlong career retrospective that plays at 8:30 p.m. March 15 at the Boulder Theater.

Lynch, a staple in Christopher Guest mockumentaries (“Best in Show,” “A Mighty Wind,” “For Your Consideration” and “Mascots), has recently worked as portraying Sazz Pataki, an uproarious character who mimics Steve Martin’s character in “Only Murders in the Building.”

Scott Feinberg of The Hollywood Reporter will interview the Emmy, Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild award-winning star on stage at the Boulder Theater. Tickets are $25 at biff1.com.

“Jane Lynch is an icon,” said Robin Beeck. “She’s been entertaining us for decades and she has a fantastic sense of humor. We can’t wait to hear about her life and career directly.”

The talk will dip into Lynch’s projects — including her work on “Glee,” “The 40-Year-Old Virgin,” “Best in Show” and more.

“We are huge fans of her work,” Kathy Beeck said.”We are excited to honor her incredible career at BIFF.”

On March 16 at the Boulder Theater, fashion icon Kenneth Cole will be honored with the festival’s inaugural Catalyst Award. The visionary designer’s brand has always been about more than just shoes and clothes. “A Man with Sole” dives into Cole’s unparalleled ability to intertwine fashion with social activism. From AIDS research to LGBTQ+ rights and mental health advocacy, Cole’s work has left an undeniable mark on the industry and the world.

“A Man with Sole: The Impact of Kenneth Cole” will screen at the Boulder Theater at 3:15 p.m. March 16, where, along with Cole, the film’s director Dori Berinstein will appear in person.

“No other brand has integrated social change into its business quite like him,” said Kathy Beeck, emphasizing why BIFF is honoring him with the festival’s first-ever Catalyst Award.

Expect an insightful Q&A following the screening, where Cole will reflect on his decades-long career of turning style into substance. Tickets are $21 at biff1.com.

Also on the weekend agenda is a visit from Edwin Moses. He’s a two-time Olympic gold medalist in the 400-meter hurdles — and also a physicist, engineer and advocate for athletes’ rights (no big deal).

The Olympic star will attend the screening of the Morgan Freeman-produced “Moses — 13 Steps,” a film that delves into his life and career — from his historic nine-year, nine-month, nine-day winning streak to his post-racing work in science and humanitarian efforts.

“I knew who he was when I heard his name,” Robin Beeck said, “but when I watched the documentary, I had no idea he was also a scientist, an engineer and an advocate for other Olympians. He’s done so much. You just keep thinking, ‘Wait, what?’”

Speaking of wildly talented people, Devo frontman Mark Mothersbaugh will also swing through Boulder next weekend — and Robin Beeck is still processing that reality.

“My high school self would not believe I get to meet him,” she said, buzzing about the “Devo” documentary that will screen at 5:45 p.m. March 15 at the Boulder Theater. Mothersbaugh and the film’s producer Anita Greenspan will attend the screening.

The band hit No. 14 on the 1980 Billboard chart with its single “Whip It,” a track that boosted the band to mainstream popularity and conjured up its cult following.

Chronicling the rise of one of the most innovative (and delightfully weird) bands in history, the film explores Devo’s punk-Dada and anti-establishment origins, its impact on early MTV culture and Mothersbaugh’s continued influence as a composer and visual artist. From writing scores for Wes Anderson and Marvel Comics films to designing surreal art installations, Mothersbaugh has dipped his creative hands in many projects.

Then there’s Siri Lindley, a two-time world champion triathlete and Boulder local, whose story is as gripping as any fictional sports drama. “Tri Me” follows her from childhood struggles to her rise in the triathlon world, detailing with both the physical feats that made her a champion and the personal challenges she

overcame along the way.

“She competed at a time when it was not acceptable to be queer as a sponsored athlete, so she was forced to hide her sexuality,” Kathy Beeck said. “Then, after coming out, she was met with the biggest obstacle of her life — a terminal cancer diagnosis.”

Lindley refused to let any of that define her. Now a celebrated motivational speaker and advocate for rescued horses, she’s one of the festival’s most inspiring guests. She, along with the film’s producer Julia Berthet, of Denver, will be at the screening.

Behind the films

Apart from superstar special guests, BIFF’s film lineup taps into some of the festival’s favorite storytelling traditions — music, adventure and documentaries that inspire action.

BIFF has long had a soft spot for films about music, and this year’s lineup is no exception. “Viva Verdi!” takes audiences inside a Milanese retirement home for opera singers.

“You’ll be watching this quiet, elderly woman, and then all of a sudden, she opens her mouth and out comes this show-stopping voice,” Kathy said. “It’s like magic.”

“Viva Verdi!” director Yvonne Russo and producer Christine La Monte will appear in person at three screenings. Catch the film at 7:15 p.m. March 13 at First United Methodist Church, 1421 Spruce St., Boulder, at 1 p.m. March 14 at Century Boulder, 1700 29th St., Boulder, and at 2:30 p.m. March 15 at Stewart Auditorium, 400 Quail Road, Longmont.

Meanwhile, “Diane Warren: Relentless” focuses on the 15-time Oscar-nominated songwriter who stood behind some of the biggest ballads of the last four decades, after penning megahits for industry giants, including Beyonce. Watch the film at 12:15 p.m. March 15 at Boulder Theater or 10 a.m. March 16 at Century Boulder.

“She wrote ‘If I Could Turn Back Time’ for Cher, ‘Because You Loved Me’ for Celine Dion,” Robin Beeck said. “Just one massive hit after another. And she’s hilarious. She’s got this sharp, dry humor that makes the film so much fun to watch.”

For Beatles fans, “One to One: John & Yoko” offers a newly restored look at the couple’s time in New York, drawn from never-before-heard personal recordings and clips from 1970s news, film and television clips. Viewers can witness a pivotal time for music’s famous couple. The film screens at 3 p.m. March 14 at Boulder Theater and at 3:30 p.m. March 15 at Century Boulder.

For those drawn to films that push audiences toward action, “In Waves and War” follows a group of Navy SEALs using psychedelic therapy to treat PTSD; while “Between the Mountain and the Sky” tells the story of Maggie Doyne, a young woman who set out on a post-high school backpacking trip and ended up opening an orphanage in Nepal.

“She goes on what’s supposed to be a gap year, and the next thing you know, she’s raising 50 kids,” Robin Beeck said.

Adrenaline-seekers will find plenty to dive into with BIFF’s adventure and survival films. “76 Days Adrift” tells the jaw-dropping true story of a man who survived over two months at sea with no food or water.

“It’s one of those movies where you keep thinking, ‘How is he still alive?’” Robin Beeck said.

Meanwhile, “Big Water

Theory” follows pro kayaker Nuria Newman as she takes on 200 consecutive (Class V) rapids with major obstacles in Pakistan’s Rondu Gorge, while “Champions of the Golden Valley” captures the rise of skiing in Afghanistan among rival ethnic groups — all cruising on homemade wooden skis.

With 68 films across eight venues, including premieres, international selections and filmmaker Q&As, getting a festival pass may be the way to go. Passes range in price from $195-$475 and can be purchased at biff1.com.

The festival wraps on March 16 with a screening of “Spacewoman,” a documentary about Eileen Collins, the first female space shuttle commander. Collins will be in attendance for a post-screening discussion. She is known for breaking through many glass ceilings in the U.S. Air Force and at NASA during her time. She also commanded four dramatic and dangerous space shuttle missions.

“It’s an amazing film for Women’s History Month, and having her here for a Q&A is just incredible,” Kathy Beeck said.

Robin Beeck put it more bluntly: “She’s a badass.”

“Spacewoman” will screen at 7 p.m. March 16 at Boulder Theater. Along with Collins, the film’s director Hannah Berryman and producer Keith Haviland will be at the show.

Beyond the films, BIFF is about the experience — it’s the conversations spilling onto Pearl Street, or the unexpected encounters with filmmakers and the lively festival atmosphere that brings a taste of Sundance, Cannes, Tribeca or Telluride to Boulder and Longmont for a long weekend.

CineChef, now in its 10th year, will open the festival at 5:30 p.m. March 13 and will bring together award-winning celebrity chefs who will craft delectable dishes inspired by films at this signature fundraising event. Around town throughout the weekend three will also be local singer-songwriters serenading the film crowds for BIFF.

A popular aspect of BIFF is the post-screening Q&As. With dozens of filmmakers stopping by Boulder next weekend, these film talkbacks give audiences a deeper look into the creative process of filmmaking.

“You get to hear the why behind the films,” Robin Beeck said. “Then you can casually run into the director at a BIFF party and keep the conversation going.”

For young filmmakers, BIFF’s Youth Program offers free screenings, workshops and the Teen Short Film Competition, where high schoolers screen their masterpieces. This year, students also have the chance to partake in workshops led by industry professionals, from documentary filmmaking to film analysis.

“If something like this had been around when we were younger, we would have jumped at the chance,” Robin Beeck said. “If our mom had seen this lineup, she would have signed us up immediately.”

As BIFF turns 21, Robin and Kathy Beeck reflected on how far the festival has come.

“Last year, for our 20th anniversary, we had our best revenue year ever, which was really exciting,” Kathy Beeck said.

But for Boulder’s iconic sisters, BIFF has never been about the numbers — it’s about the people who make it happen.

“It’s a real community effort,” Kathy Beeck said. “Our 500 volunteers, our sponsors, our donors, the attendees who return year after year, the new faces who discover BIFF for the first time, the filmmakers who keep coming back — it’s something we’re incredibly proud of.”

The festival has seen its share of challenges, though, especially in the early years.

“We definitely remember the ‘terrible twos,’” Kathy Beeck said, with a laugh. “That was a tough year! I remember us joking, ‘Should we call this the terrible twos?’ Because, wow, we learned a lot.”

Through growing pains, BIFF has built lasting relationships with filmmakers, celebrities, studios and distributors, strengthening the festival’s reputation in the industry.

“At the end of the day, it all comes down to the films,” Kathy Beeck said. “You have to have great films as your foundation. Everything else — the volunteers, the sponsors, the special events — is wonderful, but the heart of it is always the films.”

As the 21st edition of BIFF gets underway, the Beecks are confident that this year’s program is the best yet.

For more information, head to biff1.com to get tickets, view the program and find screening times.