Youth Movement

"Our purpose is to encourage young filmmakers," says Donna Marek, creator and founder of the Boulder Youth Film Festival and the Boulder Independent Film Festival, which share screen time today. "But we also want to encourage filmmakers of all ages."

This egalitarian approach is evident throughout the BYFF/BIFF lineup. The approximately fifteen films on the bill are split between offerings from budding directors under age eighteen and samples from more experienced movie folk, such as Stephen Keep Mills, whose short film, A Cigar at the Beach, has been making the festival rounds. As a bonus, producer Frederick Marx — one of the creative minds behind the memorable 1994 documentary Hoop Dreams — is scheduled to debut the latest volume in his Boys to Men? series. Subtitled Conversations, Marx's piece deals with "young people and their mentors," Marek notes. "It's very related to teens and young men." As is the event as a whole.

BYFF/BIFF takes place at the St. Julien Hotel, 900 Walnut Street in Boulder. A brunch and silent auction begin at 11 a.m., with the proceeds going toward establishing a filmmaking grant or scholarship. Screenings kick off at 1:15 p.m. Tickets for the brunch are $30 and must be purchased in advance; separate festival admission is $10. For details, call 720-422-8208 or visit www.boulderindependentfilmfestival.com.
May 5-7