About the Festival

Founded in 2015 by Don Andrews and Brian Boyd, CIFF built a filmmaker community from the ground up. Over its first five years, it showcased 600+ films from 36 countries, transforming historic Uptown Butte venues into spaces for unforgettable storytelling.

After a dormant period for the Festival and the Covellite Theatre, Covellite Presents came under new ownership and direction by Demetrius Fassas in 2023. Don Andrews returned as Programming Director to begin the CIFF reboot in 2024 with new CIFF Director Ainsley Sevier.

Now, in 2025, the Covellite International Film Festival is following the vein back to its lode—honesty, resilience, and the everyman experience. This isn’t just a film festival—it’s a multi-faceted gathering place where filmmakers and film lovers connect year after year, film lovers have a voice, and buyers discover candid, uncompromising work.

Forged in fire, built on solidarity—The Covellite International Film Festival is a place to come as you are and leave a little changed. No gatekeepers, just grit, goodwill, and A Vein of Truth.

Read more about the kinds of films and awards you’ll see at CIFF 2025: CLICK HERE.

Questions? Email Ainsley@CovellitePresents.org

CIFF 2025 also thanks Bill & Monica Blizek

2025 Festival Schedule

Updated Regularly

April 10th

Thursday

6 PM | Doors Open

7 PM | Covellite Theatre

WED THE DARK Film Screening: World Premiere! Followed by Q&A with the filmmakers.

9 PM | Covellite Lounge

Thursday Afterparty featuring Uptown Comedy

Unofficial Thursday AfterAfterParty at the Cavalier Lounge.

April 11th

Friday

12 PM | Doors Open

12:30 PM | Covellite Theatre

The Last Anniversary: Sneak Peak, psychological thriller!

2:30 PM | Covellite Theatre

Seeds of Sovereignty:  Documentary

3:30 PM | Covellite Theatre

From the Shadow Of The Stacks: Followed by Q&A with the crew!

5:00 PM | Covellite Theatre

Shorts Block One Film Screenings: Followed by Q&A with the cast and crew!

8 PM | Covellite Theatre

Out To Pasture Film Screening: Festival World Premiere! Followed by Q&A with the filmmakers.

10 PM to Midnight | 51 Below Speakeasy

Friday Afterparty featuring Sean Eamon and Magic & Mentalism from The Reverends Jones

April 12th

Saturday

12 PM | Doors Open

1 PM | Covellite Theatre

302 Comedy Presents: Hunter Lloyd! Family-friendly comedy for all ages.

2:30 PM | Covellite Theatre

Ali Eats America Film Screening: Followed by Q&A with the cast and crew!

5:00 PM | Covellite Theatre

Shorts Block Two Film Screenings: Followed by Q&A with the cast and crew!

7:30 PM | Covellite Theatre

Cuisine de la ‘Pocalypse Film Screening! Followed by Q&A with the filmmakers.

10 PM to Midnight | Covellite Lounge

Saturday Afterparty, featuring Rocket To Uranus and Sir James The Magnificent

Midnight | Covellite Theatre

AFTERAFTERPARTY ft. Psycho Sheep of Butte on the Big Screen!!!! Followed by Q&A with the filmmakers.

April 13th

Sunday

12 PM | Doors Open

1 PM | Covellite Theatre

I Don’t Want To Talk About It, award-winning youth one-act play.

5:00 PM | Covellite Theatre

The Long Run Film Screening! Followed by Q&A with the filmmakers.

End of Festival | Covellite Theatre

WRAP PARTY!!! Filmmaker style: pizza party courtesy of Stella’s Vu Villa, and karaoke!

CIFF Team 2025