About the Beloit International Film Festival
BIFF, building a community of independent filmmakers exhibiting their creative expression with audiences who appreciate the art form. All this in the remerging, lively and welcoming traditional downtown of Beloit Wisconsin.
BIFF is a ten-day tribute to the power of film and the excitement of independent film from around the world. Local residents and visitors from across the nation fill venues, ranging in size from 40 to 400 seats for more than 100 films, and to meet scores of filmmakers who come from throughout the U.S. and as far away as Europe, Asia and Latin America.
BIFF celebrates filmmakers in all genres—features, documentaries, shorts— who enjoy the Beloit setting as much as the attendees do. BIFF promises crowds of interested viewers filling venues, questioning them at the films, and stopping them on the street to talk about their shared passions and projects in independent filmmaking.
BIFF’s Red Scarf, Founding Donors
Tom & Terry Barnes
Dr. Susan Behrens & David Look
Steve & Heidi Eldred
Jorge Galante
Mick & Jane Gilbertson
Gary & Vicky Grabowski
Charles & Prudy Harker
Jim & Nancy Heidt
Diane Hendricks
Kim Hendricks
Ken & Judy Kaplan
Joanna Kutter
Curt & Barb Lansbery
Bill & Linda Lock
Paul Milatzo
Ron Nief
Becky Rogers
Don & Tara Tinder
2024 Welcome From
Visit Beloit
Welcome to the city of Beloit and the 19th annual Beloit International Film Festival! On behalf of Visit Beloit, the voice of the travel and tourism industry in this region, we are thrilled that you traveled here and hope you feel that this is truly your home away from home during the festival. With the opportunity to view more than one hundred films from around the world, this is a time to unpack your bags and stay for a while.
For nearly two decades, locals and visitors alike have been enchanted with the messages and themes conveyed through films shown here in Beloit. We want the films this year to inspire, educate, and transform you. Audiences experience the magic of film through a filmmaker’s vision and story, and we manifest that impact by individually and collectively sharing with the communities that we are a part of.
Whether you are visiting for pleasure or business, making a first-time trip, or have visited before, we are confident our incredible foodie scene, seasonal adventures, vibrant entertainment, and culturally unique arts will have you creating stories to remember for years to come. Get the details at visitbeloit.com or give us a call at 608.365.4838 to get tips on what to do from those of us that live here. Curate your own beautiful Beloit stories and share them through Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok using #visitbeloit or tagging us @VisitBeloit.
On behalf of the staff and board of directors at Visit Beloit, thank you for visiting. Enjoy the films!
Celestino Ruffini
Chief Executive Officer, Visit Beloit
From the Executive Director
Greg Gerard
As someone who has been with BIFF since its inception, I have seen a fledgling four day film festival grow into a well-respected and flourishing ten day experience that continues to gain momentum with each passing iteration. What makes BIFF such an important and beloved part of downtown Beloit? Let me begin by sharing with you some of the universal reasons why arts organizations/events, and film festivals in particular, are truly vital components in any thriving downtown community.
International film festivals hold a transformative power for growing city centers, catalyzing economic, cultural, and social development in profound ways. When a city hosts an international film festival, it not only shines a spotlight on the locale as a cultural destination but also stimulates its economy. Hotels, restaurants, and local businesses experience a significant upsurge in patronage as filmmakers, celebrities, industry professionals, and tourists flock to the city. This influx of visitors translates into increased revenue and job creation, providing a substantial boost to the local economy. Moreover, the global media cover-age accompanying such events enhances the city’s international profile, attracting future tourists and potential investors, which can lead to lasting economic benefits long after the festival’s conclusion.
Beyond the economic sphere, international film festivals play a pivotal role in enriching the cultural fabric of a growing city center. These festivals serve as a confluence of diverse cultures, ideas, and storytelling traditions from around the world, offering local residents an unparalleled opportunity to engage with a variety of cultural expressions. This exposure fosters a greater appreciation for cultural diversity and promotes inclusivity within the community. Additionally, film festivals often include workshops, lectures, and
panels that provide valuable learning opportunities for local filmmakers, students, and enthusiasts, thereby nurturing the city’s creative talent and contributing to the development of its cultural industry.
Socially, the congregation of international guests and local attendees at film festivals facilitates the exchange of ideas and fosters connections that transcend geographical boundaries. This environment of shared experience and dialogue can spark collaborations that extend beyond the festival, leading to international co-productions and projects that might not have been possible otherwise. Furthermore, the inclusion of films addressing various social issues and themes can initiate important conversations within the
community, raising awareness and encouraging social change. This aspect of film festivals underscores their role not only as entertainment but as catalysts for reflection and societal progress.
Hosting an international film festival presents a multifaceted opportunity for a growing city center. It not only boosts the economy and enhances the city’s global standing but also enriches its cultural landscape and fosters a socially inclusive and environmentally conscious community.
BIFF continues to grow and evolve in Beloit’s city center, which is itself, growing and evolving at a steady pace. It brings together what might be disparate community stakeholders into a milieu of partnership, shared resources and fellowship; a team that includes not only corporate industry leaders and forward-thinking local merchants, but also the grass roots citizens who make up most of the true fabric of this, or any, urban setting. It is a convergence of the best of who and what we are, coming together to share, to toil, to serve and to change lives in the most positive of ways.
If you have never heard of BIFF, or have never had the opportunity to attend BIFF events, I strongly encourage you to give it a look and a listen. You will quickly become enamored with its spirit, its depth, its charm, and its integrity. You will see your friends. You will meet engaging strangers. You will learn, and laugh, and shed a tear. And when it’s over, you will long to return when the next BIFF red carpet rolls out!
See you then!—GGG
From the Board Chair
Lindsay Mitchell
Some love Thanksgiving, some live for Christmas, and some plan for New Year’s Eve weeks in advance. Me? I live for BIFF season! The Beloit International Film Festival stands as a bright spot in the otherwise dark winter months, and I, for one, look forward to it all year ‘round!
As we prepare for our eighteenth festival, we are focused on providing the quality films and convivial atmosphere that have come to be associated with BIFF. All our favorite venues, Bagels & More, La Casa Grande, Downtown Beloit Association, Hendricks Art Center, and Visit Beloit, are joined by two new venues: The Powerhouse at Beloit College, and 5Bar, who will showcase our selection of electrifying music videos! They are all preparing to roll out the red carpet in honor of all our participating filmmakers and you, our fabulous audience.
We have selected nearly 100 amazing films, including features, short films, and music videos for your viewing enjoyment this year. While the selection process was arduous, we have whittled it down to the best of the best, and we are convinced you will be blown away by the skill, artistry, and the sheer magnitude of raw talent on display in downtown Beloit. Whether you love documentaries or narratives, you will find something you love at BIFF.
Naturally, it would be remiss of me not to offer my sincerest thanks to the two crucial elements that make this festival possible: our faithful sponsors and our extremely enthusiastic volunteers. Without you, BIFF would simply not be possible, and we are so grateful to you for everything you do.
I hope you will join me in downtown Beloit this year for films, workshops, special events, and more. We are going to have so much fun!
And Year After Year…
Over 300 Community Volunteers Come Together
To Make Something Special Happen
Last and certainly not least, BIFF is successful largely because of the broad community support. Over 300 volunteers each year come together to help present BIFF to the broader community and visitors to our community. We have many many individuals, couples and families who have volunteered every year since BIFF’s inception.
There are too many to name but we know who you are and we thank you for your help. BIFF would not exist if not for our volunteers.
Thank you!
Beloit International Film Festival Inc.
BIFF is organized exclusively for charitable purposes under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, to create and stage affordable social, educational, and entertaining events. In addition, BIFF was created to harness the power of film to improve our community and ourselves.