Having come to Boulder Colorado as an international visitor and for a short spell only, I have been enchanted by the momentum this annual film festival has started to garner.

Hell, I’ve even been roped in to help out, and in the process have discovered how much there is to this festival beyond the obvious play on words in its title.   Getting Bolder in Boulder is something I have certainly done over the last few weeks.

Hands are always full as the Festival Director

I have watched the Festival Director, Erin Kelly, and her team co-ordinate and organize a whole host of events that all tie-in to the Bolder Life Festival or “BLF” as the team refers to this event.

There is an incredible amount of passion behind this festival and for an outsider to come in (I’m from Australia), it is incredibly inspiring to see what the BLF team are seeking to create for their local and broader community.

Films are being chosen and screened for their diversity and content, locations are being prepped, programs are being devised, sponsorships packages being put together, licenses applied for, lunches skipped, videos made and kick starter donations requested and hoped for…

There is a dizzying amount of work to be done as the countdown to the Festival begins, but the team has such an aligned goal and sense of purpose that each task I have been asked to assist them with has been an absolute pleasure.

My U.S Visa won’t allow me to stay long enough to see the Festival to fruition this year (unless I can work out an option B to return which is under investigation…) but I know even at this stage (5 weeks out) that my own personal adventure in taking time off work in Australia was both bold and has been already been fruitful because of this Festival.

My contribution has been very much a collaborative effort but it makes me proud to think that on the other side of the world to where my home is, my life has been made richer for having been a small part of a Festival that is something Boulder should be proud to have in its town.

To a Bolder Life.  To the Festival.  Thank You and may it be, all that it can be and more…

So come along between the 19th – 23^rd Sept.  It’s easy and lucky for you, you don’t even need a visa!

Written by; Julia Mathison. jemathison@gmail.com