For more than 80 years, the University of Colorado’s International Film Series has been a gathering place for filmmakers and filmgoers, offering Boulder audiences a steady stream of independent, international and repertory cinema. This spring, the program’s range is especially wide-ranging.
The season kicked off Jan. 13 with the Jackie Chan action classic “Armour of God” and unfolds through April with 55 films that move easily between contemporary awards contenders, rediscovered classics and idiosyncratic selections.
For viewers tracking the Oscars, IFS devotes two weekends – Feb. 27-March 1 and March 6-8 – to the 2026 nominated short subjects in animation, documentary and live action. Fans of political cinema and Hollywood history can revisit “All the President’s Men” on April 3, marking the film’s 50th anniversary and honoring the legacy of Robert Redford.
Looking ahead to Boulder’s turn as host of the Sundance Film Festival in 2027, IFS will also screen five iconic films that helped define Sundance’s reputation for discovery: “Clerks” (Jan. 28), “Swiss Army Man” (Jan. 29), a collection of 2025 short subjects (Jan. 30), “Pi” (Jan. 31) and “Grizzly Man” (Feb. 1).
And, in a reminder that the series still enjoys surprising its audience, the lineup includes “By Design,” a film about a woman who swaps bodies with a chair (March 31).
“The schedule is eclectic by design,” IFS Director Jason Phelps said. “I want people to recognize a title or two that they want to see, and then take a moment to look at something that they would have never seen otherwise and give it a chance.”
Among the season’s highlights, Phelps pointed to Sergei Parajanov’s visually arresting Armenian masterpiece, “The Color of Pomegranates” (Jan. 26), the Broadway-to-screen powerhouse “Dreamgirls” (Feb. 16) and Buster Keaton’s silent-era spectacular “The General” (March 29), which will be accompanied by a live score by the Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra.
“It’s hard to narrow down only a couple of favorites,” Phelps said. “It’s better just to go and enjoy. There’s nothing quite like experiencing a great film in a large auditorium with like-minded people.”
That experience unfolds inside CU’s Muenzinger Auditorium. Tickets start at $8 for students and seniors and $10 for general admission. A full schedule and showtimes are here.
Three recommendations from BRL
Western Movie Club: My Darling Clementine (Jan. 18) and The Gunfighter (Feb. 8) with film critic Michael Casey
Ever wish moviegoing felt more like a book club? That’s exactly what you will get at the Western Movie Club, which pairs a time-tested classic from the genre with a post-screening discussion hosted by this writer. And if you’ve never seen a Western before, these two are ideal entry points:
“My Darling Clementine” (Jan. 18) is loosely based on the Earp-Clanton feud that set the stage for the gunfight at the O.K. Corral in Tombstone, Arizona.
“The Gunfighter” (Feb. 8), released a few years later, turns inward, examining what’s left of a man after a lifetime of violence. Both movies exhibit Hollywood’s Golden Age craftsmanship — not to mention star power — while taking a moral interest in their characters and the world they inhabit. And though they were made decades ago, and set even earlier, their themes still resonate today.
Filmmaker Derek Cianfrance in person with Roofman (Jan. 21)
When I spoke with Derek Cianfrance in 2016 for his then-latest release, “The Light Between Oceans,” the CU film student-turned-independent filmmaker said attending the university “was the best piece of fate or good fortune that I’ve had in my life.”
Cianfrance returns to campus Jan. 21 to discuss his latest film, “Roofman,” a family drama based on the true story of Jeffrey Manchester, an Army veteran who robs McDonald’s restaurants in order to provide the life he wants for his children. After escaping jail, Manchester holes up in a Toys “R” Us for six months, where he begins a relationship with Leigh, a single mom who falls for Jeffrey’s undeniable charm.
Channing Tatum stars as Jeffrey, with Kirsten Dunst as Leigh. Cianfrance directs from the heart in this sweet and funny drama of families broken and united. The discussion of how “Roofman” came together and what drew Cianfrance to the material is expected to be a highlight of the season.
Theme Weeks: Black History (Feb. 12–20) and Animation (March 23–27)
Animated films from across the globe always have a home at IFS, and this spring is no different. Animation week includes the Japanese anime racing epic “Redline” (March 23), Isao Takahata’s lyrical “The Tale of Princess Kaguya” (March 25) and Disney’s landmark “Fantasia” (March 27).
In February, IFS will partner once again with CU’s Center for African & African American Studies for an impressive array of Black cinema (Feb. 12–20), with a special anchor: CU professor and filmmaker Skinner Myers will introduce his latest work, “Moodswing Whiskey” (Feb. 20).
When I spoke with Myers in 2021 about his previous movie “The Sleeping Negro,” Myers hoped his work could create a new Black cinematic language, one “that does not adhere to anything that’s Eurocentric or Hollywood.” If “Moodswing Whiskey” continues his charge, this is a screening not to miss. Boulder audiences will be among the first to see “Moodswing Whiskey,” with Myers and co-screenwriter Jamal Sledge on hand for a post-screening discussion.