Chasing Laughs: Comedic Icon Chevy Chase to Open Boulder International Film Festival on Feb. 12

Chasing Laughs: Comedic Icon Chevy Chase to Open Boulder International Film Festival on Feb. 12

Famed Funny Man and Environmentalist Chase to Receive Award of Excellence in Comedy

BOULDER, Colo., Jan. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Can you name the comedic legend that made this line famous: "Remember Danny - two wrongs don't make a right but three rights make a left"? Or maybe the phrase, "I'm Chevy Chase....And you're not," from "Weekend Update" on "Saturday Night Live"? The Boulder International Film Festival (BIFF) announced today that Chevy Chase, Emmy award-winning comedian, writer and television and film actor, will appear at Opening Night of the 2009 festival on Thursday, Feb. 12, at the Boulder Theater in Boulder, Colo.

The evening starts with a reception honoring the artist at 7 p.m. Later, Chase will receive an Award of Excellence in Comedy as well as be honored with a film retrospective of his work, followed by a Q&A session on stage with Ron Bostwick, BIFF executive producer.

"We are thrilled to have a comedic icon kicking off the 2009 Boulder International Film Festival," said Kathy Beeck, festival co-founder and director. "Not only has Chevy Chase graced so many classic comedic films and been a major influence to countless comedians, he has also been a tireless advocate for this country's environmental movement, which Coloradans are so passionate about. We're truly honored Chevy is able to join us for a lively start to the festival."

Chase became a sensation as a cast member in the inaugural season of Saturday Night Live, where his Weekend Update skit quickly became a staple of the show. He is also well known for his role as Clark Griswold in four National Lampoon's Vacation films. In addition to his numerous movie roles, Chase has hosted the Academy Awards twice. Later this year, Chase will appear in the new film, Stay Cool, directed by Michael and Mark Polish and staring Winona Ryder and Hillary Duff.

In addition to his work in film, Chase has played an important role in this country's environmental movement, helping his wife, Jayni, launch the Center for Environmental Education in Atlanta (www.ceeonline.org). The Center works with K-12 schools to address climate change issues and to cultivate healthy lifestyles by teaching children to be more environmentally aware.

Following the intimate evening with one of America's funniest men, the four-day festival also will feature a red-carpet Valentine's Gala, Feb. 14 at 6 p.m., and Closing Night event on Sunday, Feb. 15 at 6 p.m. featuring a film, live music, food and drinks, at the historic Boulder Theater, located at 2032 14th St., in downtown Boulder.

Film-lovers and Chevy Chase fanatics can buy tickets to Opening Night, the Valentine's Gala and Closing Night of the festival starting Thursday, Jan. 15. Ticket prices for Opening Night are $50, Valentine's Gala tickets are $50, and Closing Night tickets are $35.

Single ticket prices for other films throughout the festival are $10 for adults and $8 for students and seniors 65 and older and go on sale Friday, January 23. All-access Festival VIP passes can be purchased now for $295, and include all films and the Chevy Chase Opening Night event, Valentine's Gala and the Closing Night Awards ceremony. Tickets can be purchased at www.bouldertheater.com or by calling (303) 786-7030. For more information about the festival please go to www.biff1.com.

About The Boulder International Film Festival

BIFF is presented by the Colorado Film Society, a nonprofit organization founded by local filmmakers, Kathy and Robin Beeck. BIFF is dedicated to providing the large, urban, film-hip audiences of the Boulder/Denver metro area with an early look at the best new films in international cinema, along with conversations with directors, producers and actors, world-class food, parties, and an opportunity to rub elbows with filmmakers in a winter wonderland. BIFF has hosted over 150 filmmakers from around the world since the Boulder-based Beeck sisters lead the inaugural event in 2005.

Source: Boulder International Film Festival

CONTACT: Chandra Brin of Linhart Public Relations, +1-303-951-2565,
cbrin@linhartpr.com, for Boulder International Film Festival; or Kathy Beeck
of Boulder International Film Festival, +1-303-449-2289, kathy@biff1.com

Web Site: http://www.biff1.com/
http://www.ceeonline.org/

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