In 2013, BIFF was named one of the Top 25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World by MovieMaker Magazine. In 2015 Andie MacDowell received the inaugural Spirit & Pride of South Carolina Award followed by television and fashion icon Vanna White the next year. Most recently BIFF was recognized by the Southeast Tourism Society as a “Top 20 Event Happening in February” and Film Freeway has acknowledged BIFF as one of the “Top 100 Best Reviewed Film Festivals in the World”, based on filmmaker’s reviews.