BIFF – Beloit International Film Festival – The Beloit International Film Festival

BIFF 2017
Friday Feb. 24th - Sunday Mar. 5th

BIFF 2018: Our 13th Season
10 Days – Fri. Feb. 23 – Sun. March 4, 2018

Another great BIFF season! Thank you to everyone that helped out. Thank you to everyone who attended. Thank you to our filmmakers. Thank you to our sponsors.

Thank you to Mr. Roddie Beaudoin for twelve great years.

BIFF Year ‘Round is in full swing every Wednesday Night. Like our Facebook page for updates. Submission for BIFF 2018 are now open through Filmfreeway and Withoutabox.

Film Submissions OPEN for BIFF 2018

2018 Festival Feb 23 - Mar 4

Narrative
Feature Films

BIFF provides a bridge between exceptional emerging cinematic storytellers and the Beloit community. This year’s Narrative Showcase continues our time-tested tradition.

Documentary
Feature Films

BIFF is proud to showcase a slate of screenings that represent some of the very best of today’s independent documentary filmmakers and filmmaking.

Short Films
By Program

The short film structure presents some of the greatest challenges in filmmaking. We believe creating a truly inspiring short film is among the single highest forms of the craft.

The Beloit International Film Festival

Bringing The World To Beloit
&
Beloit To The World

First National Bank and Trust | BIFF 2016 Sponsor

Silent Film

The Freshman

Saturday Mar. 4th, 7:30 PM
BMHS Auditorium

This signature BIFF event features an ensemble of elite regional musicians performing the accompaniment to one or more selected silent film classics. Since its inception the Silent Film Showcase has been a perennial favorite and ‘hot ticket’. So be sure to buy your tickets early.

Classic Film

Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner

Sorry.
The Graduate Had To Be Replaced

Sunday Mar. 5th, 2:30 PM
Schubert’s Luxury 10 Theater

Each year BIFF presents a FREE seminal classic film for festival attendees. These are motion pictures that have, over time, exemplified the true power of film. They are recognized for their societal impact and/or significance in advancing the art form. If you’ve never taken an opportunity to see these timeless movies, you owe it to yourself to experience them. And maybe even share them with a loved one.

Sing-A-Long

A Hard Days Night

Saturday Feb. 25th, 7 PM
Schubert’s Luxury 10 Theater

Warm up your vocal cords and get ready to sing along with some of the film industry’s greatest hits! Each year BIFF features a movie musical that transcends the generations and leaves the audience humming melodies long after the film is over. No memorization required. Lyrics appear on the screen. And half of the fun is the BIFF audience, dressed and accessorized as favorite characters and competing on stage for prizes. Free pop and popcorn! And you can bet there will be dancing in the aisles!

BIFF Awards Ceremony

Saturday Mar. 4th 5:15 PM
La Casa Grande

FREE EVENT. Honoring features, documentaries and short films and recognizing the Audience Choice selections for best films from Illinois and Wisconsin, 11 BIFFYs will be handed out at Saturday evening’s BIFFY Awards Ceremony at La Casa Grande Restaurant in Beloit. Many of the more than 123 filmmakers attending BIFF were on hand to receive the awards.

In addition to the awards for merit in specific film genres, there were also four “feature” awards for overall achievement, designated by the selection committee that viewed all 2500 submissions to BIFF this year.

BIFF Cares

Multiple Dates/Times
See Event Page

An important dimension of the Beloit International Film Festival over the past six years is the annual grouping of films known as BIFF CARES. These are films that examine a broad range of critical health challenges to society at large and to our own community. The films offer new perspectives, and engage the audience in discussion. The BIFF CARES program is sponsored by Beloit Health System and includes panels of professionals, led by Beloit Health System staff to examine the issues and answer questions.

Wisconsin / Illinois Showdown | Beloit Film Festival

WI / IL Showdown

Multiple Dates/Times
See Event Page

The annual “Showdown” with its blend of Wisconsin and Illinois-grown indie fare, offers an opportunity for filmgoers to discover the Lucas or Scorcese of the future that’s lurking right here in our own back yard. Most of these features, docs and shorts come to us from Beloit and Janesville or the nearby cities of Milwaukee, Chicago, Madison and Rockford. But the showdown also attracts budding filmmakers from far away lands like Door County and Green Bay, WI, as well as Springfield and Champaign, IL.

Around The Corner

Tuesday Feb. 28th, 6:30 PM
BMHS Auditorium

As a way to thank the city of Beloit and its passionate residents, Visit Beloit and the Downtown Beloit Association teamed up to host the filming of Milwaukee PBS’s Around the Corner with John McGivern. The Beloit episode of Around the Corner with John McGivern is being premiered during BIFF for free prior to it airing to the Midwest on Thursday, March 2.

BIFF After Dark

Multiple Dates/Times
See Event Page

BIFF is taking over the downtown for 10 days of films, festivities and fun! Check out the wide array of activities available both before and after the daily screening schedule. Enjoy some of the finest entertainment in the region and show off your own skills during open-mic and karaoke nights. Trivia, wine and beer tasting, comedy, a vintage radio play…there’s something for everyone!

Cardmaking Workshop

Saturday Feb. 25th, 10 AM
Beloit Public Library

A Beloit girl inspires BIFF documentary and creates an opportunity to brighten the lives of hospitalized kids though this cardmaking workshop. Filmmakers and the local community are invited to come together and create get-well cards for sick children.

Welcome to our Film Festival
&
Welcome to our Community

Allow the creative magic of film and the spirited passion of our city illuminate your winter.
Welcome to the Beloit International Film Festival.

Celestino RuffiniExecutive Director, Visit Beloit

This community and this festival exude warmth, even in the dead of winter.
People come for the films, but they come back for the spectacle, the food, and the good company they find.

Scott BiermanPresident | Beloit College

The City of Beloit is proud to host the Beloit International Film Festival!
Bienvenue, Bienvenido, Willkommen, Yōkoso, Welcome!

Lori Curtis LutherCity Manager | City of Beloit

The Beloit International Film Festival is a place for dreamers.
Welcome to Beloit, Wisconsin – where creativity is always in-style, the hospitality genuine, and the power of film, undeniable.

Stephanie KlettSecretary of the WI Dept. of Tourism

BIFF is a wonderful and engaging event that brings together people from Beloit and around the world.
Take in a wide range of films, live music, and more, and be sure to check out Beloit’s great selection of local restaurants, shops, and other attractions!

Mark SpreitzerWisconsin State Assembly 45th District

Welcome to the Beloit International Film Festival and welcome to Downtown Beloit!
We are glad to see you.
We hope you enjoy your movies and the many shops and eateries in Downtown Beloit.

Shauna El-AminExecutive Director | Downtown Beloit Association

We hope to welcome you to the 12th annual Beloit International Film Festival
Come and enjoy a unique festival that embraces film, inspires audiences and excites our community

Jonathan WebsterGeronimo Hospitality Group | Vice President of Lodging

The Beloit International Film Festival welcomes guests from near and far, bringing our community together for two weeks of arts, food and engaging conversation.
We will charm you from our small town with true community and culture.

Jackie GennettOwner | Bushel & Pecks - BIFF Venue

You are among friends as you experience the best of the midwest in Beloit and we engage in the magic of film together.

Sheila De ForestBeloit City Council

The Beloit International Film Festival is an important part of Beloit’s revival. ‘Bringing the world to Beloit and Beloit to the world’ is not just a slogan—it’s what we do.
As we enter our second decade, it’s the reputation we will build on. You need to be a part of it so please join us.

Marty DenschBIFF Board President

To experience BIFF is to know the power of film.
The power to build up, promote, radiate and entertain audiences and the artists who create the films this festival celebrates.

Rod BeaudoinBeloit Film Festival Executive Director

Help Keep BIFF Going & Growing

Film Society Membership
&
BIFF Sponsorship

BIFF Film Society Membership

You a film fan? A seeker of celluloid sensations? A “BIFF Buff”? Then consider joining the Beloit International Film Society.

The Film Society of Beloit

BIFF Sponsorship

It’s actively involved community partners like these that make it happen for all of us. Huge Thank You! Considering BIFF Sponsorship?

BIFF Sponsors & Sponsorship

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Hollywood Film Festival Affiliate

BIFF 2017
Friday Feb. 24th - Sunday Mar. 5th