An international film festival, a Jewish film festival, and a new Jane Austen adaptation. What a time to be Boulder-moviegoer.

First up, a preview of the 16th Boulder International Film Festival:

The Boulder International Film Festival (BIFF) keeps getting bigger. Helmed once again by Beeck sisters Robin and Kathy, BIFF 16 (March 5-8) offers moviegoers 88 features and shorts to choose from. And, as has become the tradition in recent years, BIFF is no longer bound exclusively to Boulder. Longmont Museum’s Stewart Auditorium gets in on the action with six features and a shorts package, March 6-8. And on March 27 and 28, BIFF heads to Fort Collins’ Lincoln Center with seven features and a collection of shorts.

If that wasn’t enough, BIFF 16 features another first: A film festival within the film festival. Taking place March 7 and 8 at eTown Hall, BIFF’s Adventure Pavilion comprises an extensive collection of adventure-themed short films. It’s a diverse selection — international in production, global in scope — and the lengths of each short range from a couple of minutes to nearly an hour. Most are documentaries, but a few narratives are sprinkled in for good measure. And since no festival is complete without a centerpiece Q&A, BIFF’s Adventure Pavilion will host a discussion with author, filmmaker and podcaster Cheryl Strayed of Wild: From Lost To Found on the Pacific Crest Trail fame. Patagonia climbing ambassador and advocate Timmy O’Neill will moderate. Tickets to Strayed’s talk are required ($25 plus service fee), but eTown’s downstairs Sponsor Lounge and BIFF Filmmaker Lounge at The Post Brewing Co. (2027 13th St.) will livestream the Q&A for free (space will be limited).

Something For Everyone: Highlighting the 16th Boulder International Film Festival.

Not enough? Don’t worry, the Dairy Arts Center is hosting the 8th annual Boulder Jewish Film Festival:

The eighth Boulder Jewish Film Festival (BJFF) kicks off with a celebration of a hometown hero: Dave Grusin. Born June 26, 1934, in Littleton, Colorado, Grusin studied music at CU-Boulder, graduating in 1956 before heading off to Hollywood and an award-winning career as composer and songwriter. His most notable contribution will probably always be his work on 1967’s The Graduate, but it was his score for 1988’s The Milagro Beanfield that finally netted him an Oscar.

Grusin has always had a close connection with Boulder — including appearances at the Conference on World Affairs, notably as a dueling pianist against brother Don Grusin — so it’s only fitting BJFF kicks off March 4 with Dave Grusin: Not Enough Time, a loving documentary directed by Barbara Bentree, herself an alumna of CU-Boulder’s College of Music. Bentree will be in person for the opening night festivities.

Hometown Heroes: 2020 Boulder Jewish Film Festival to Play Dairy Arts Center

Last, and maybe least, Emma. is the latest Jane Austin adaptation. It ain’t Clueless by a mile:

An earnest adaptation of Jane Austin’s 1815 novel with a lackluster pace. Taylor-Joy nails Emma’s incredulity, and Goth plays Harriet as a girl composed of innocuous giggles. Coupled with the costume designs, they are the best parts — as is Bill Nighy as Mr. Woodhouse, a man endlessly searching for the source of that infernal draft. But Flynn’s Knightly lacks brooding, de Wilde’s adaptation lacks momentum, and ‘Emma.’ comes to a full stop before it even gets started.

Emma.

Catch you next week.