LAST CALL for BIFF 2012 volunteers! Plus, do's and dont's

We are still looking for volunteers! Our annual Volunteer Orientations will take place this evening (Wednesday, Feb. 1) from 6:30 to 8 p.m. and on Saturday morning from 10 a.m. to noon in the cozy confines of the Hotel Boulderado at 2115 13th St. in downtown Boulder.

We welcome both first-time and returning BIFFsters. Please join us, whether you have signed up online already or not. This is an excellent chance for you to get the complete information you will need to participate this year, to find out what our departmental needs are, and meet our team leaders. C'mon down!

Along this line of thought, we wanted to answer a "Dear BIFF" Facebook post we received last week. It asked: "how do i know as a volunteer which events i'll get into and which events i should buy tickets for? don't want to miss anything!"

To tell you the truth, if you don't want to miss anything, you really should buy a VIP pass! Sad as it may sound, volunteering for BIFF is not just a means to an end, a way to get into events -- and if that's your interest, we much prefer that you buy a ticket to the event in question and enjoy yourself.


We volunteer in order to make the yearly miracle of BIFF take place. That means we put aside our desire to see the films, celebrities and events we are working at so that we can make that experience as friendly and enjoyable as we can for those that have paid to be there. For instance, while I would love to watch the tribute to Martin Sheen in the Boulder Theater on Saturday afternoon, I will be busy working at the Filmmakers Panel in the Boulder Public Library at that time.

So, if you don't want to miss something -- BUY A TICKET FOR IT -- DON'T VOLUNTEER FOR IT! Most of us will find out about what we missed by checking the BIFF blog and website later for reports prepared by our Digital Communications team.

That being said, there are some awesomely fun things that being a volunteer will get you! Not only do you earn vouchers for screenings and events that you aren't actively working, all qualified volunteers (eight hours' service plus) will have access to our Filmmakers' Lounge at the Lazy Dog, 1346 Pearl St.! This exclusive hangout will be open ONLY to filmmakers, VIP passholders, staff and volunteers throughout the festival. If you want to hobnob with directors, producers, actors and other special guests, this will be your big chance to do it!

We also are throwing the party to end all parties -- the B.A.D.! The inaugural BIFF After Dark party will take place at Oddfellows Hall at 1543 Pearl St. from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Saturday night. This hoedown/throwdown will feature films projected all over the venue, two live bands, comedy from Boulder's own Hippie Man, and food from Chipotle, beers from Avery and Boulder Beer, and wine from Francis Ford Coppola Winery. IT - WILL - BE - SICK. Filmmakers, VIP passholders, staff, and volunteers ONLY.

Plus, I think we each get a groovy BIFF 2012 T-shirt to wear. And we work hard and have fun! Many of my closest friends are those I've made over the eight-year history of BIFF. If you want to join the club, please do! . . . but don't ask anyone for their autograph. We're just the help!