Bigger, Better, Best Yet: More Films & More Venues

 

As programs develop for the Sixth Beloit International Film Festival, Feb. 17-20, all the elements are expanding to accommodate a record number of films for this year. The number of venues for the 2011 Festival will increase by 50 percent.

“This will allow us to not only show more films but also to repeat a number of films that we know will be drawing attention,”.

“The quality of the films is very high but each year, certain films wind up in great demand either because of subject matter, contact with the filmmakers or just the general buzz. With more venues we can try to predict some of those and make the films more accessible.”

This year, a dozen screening venues in Beloit and Janesville will present almost 140 films in all genres. The Beloit venues will include a number of old favorites like Bagels and More, Bushel and Peck’s Local Market, Casa Grande Mexican Restaurant, Domenico’s Italian Restaurant and the Beloit Public Library. New this year will be The Angel Museum, and the Rotary River Center and two venues in the Hendricks Center for the Arts – the spacious studio One, and the more intimate Film Studies Classroom. The Eclipse Center will once again provide the largest presentation space for major films including the Saturday evening M&I Bank & Wealth Management Silent Film Showcase.

For the first time, BIFF will also present films in Janesville at The Metropolitan Restaurant on Main Street. Shuttle bus transportation will also be provided between the Metropolitan and Downtown Beloit throughout the Festival.

“This makes scheduling a real challenge but we expect an increase in audience numbers this year and we hate to turn people away”.

BIFF 2011, sponsored by The Hendricks Group of Beloit in association with Beloit College and with a grant from Visit Beloit, marks the sixth year for the independent film festival. Approximately 140 films will be shown during the four day event, Feb 17-20. Information is available at www.beloitfilmfest.org .