For the first time, the Beloit International Film Festival (BIFF) is hosting a Reveal Party in Rockford on January 25 from 5 – 7 p.m. at Franchesco’s Ristorante, 7128 Spring Creek Rd. The party provides the first look at the schedule of 140 films that will be presented, announcements of BIFF critics’ choices and a sneak peak of clips from films featured at the sixth annual BIFF on February 17 – 20, 2011.

Date: Tuesday Jan. 25th
Time: 5:00 – 7:00 pm
Location: Franchesco’s – 7128 Spring Creek Rd. Rockford IL

Admission to the reveal party is free and includes appetizers. Attendees will also be among the first to receive the BIFF program announcing the festival’s featured films. Franchesco’s is offering post-party dinner specials after the Reveal; reservations for dining that evening are recommended, and valet parking is available.

The Reveal Party is hosted by BIFF and Franchesco’s Ristorante and sponsored by Blackhawk Bank and the Rockford Register Star.

To officially kick off the festival, the annual Launch & Laurels event is on February 17 from 5 – 7 p.m. at the Eclipse Center, 1701 Riverside Dr., Beloit. Presented by Blackhawk Bank, this event is an opportunity for attendees to meet the filmmakers and aficionados from around the world who participate in BIFF. The BIFF 2011 Filmmaker Award recipients are also announced at the event.

“The buzz is all about Beloit,”. “Filmmakers around the world rave about the interest of local audiences and the warm welcome they receive in Beloit. This year, we are going to have some top films that could have gone anywhere in the country, but chose Beloit because the filmmakers appreciated the support they had during their first visit.”

Since BIFF started six years ago, the quantity and quality of films has grown annually. Filmmakers from as far away as China and throughout Europe have participated annually in person, and BIFF has been called “the next big thing” in film festivals. The New York Times suggested it was one of the best alternatives to the famed Sundance Festival.

Headquartered in Beloit, Blackhawk Bank is a regular supporter of BIFF. Blackhawk employees are also major contributors to BIFF through their involvement as volunteers. Nancy Heidt of Blackhawk Investment Group and her husband Jim Heidt are again serving as chief coordinators of a volunteer force of 400 people for the 4-day festival.

Every year, BIFF welcomes thousands of visitors and almost 100 filmmakers. The festival utilizes a dozen venues throughout downtown Beloit, and for the first time in Janesville, to provide space for screenings, parties and receptions. For more information and to buy tickets, visit www.beloitfilmfest.com.

Blackhawk operates eight banking centers in Beloit, WI; Roscoe, Machesney Park, Rockford, Belvidere and Capron, IL. For more information about the bank, log onto www.blackhawkbank.com.