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.
Over 7,000 filmmaker rated festivals worldwide!
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.
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.
Over 7,000 filmmaker rated festivals worldwide!
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
From the Executive Director
Greg Gerard
We analyzed the statistics, discussed at length, checked with the authorities, and made the decision to put BIFF back on the ground, in-person, and in our beloved venues, as the “film festival gods” originally intended! At this writing we are still at the mercy of the ever-changing pandemic. But we have rolled the dice and have committed to a festival that will be in the tradition that BIFF fans and filmmakers have been accustomed to for seventeen years, save 2021. We are ready for you, BIFF Nation! Join us!
It’s important to point out that while we do want our guests to gather in robust numbers, we also want to be sure that safety is a priority. We have decided that masks will be a must in all BIFF venues during the 2022 festival. City of Beloit venues already have mask mandates in place. In an effort to be consistent festival-wide, we are asking everyone to comply in non-city and non-campus facilities, as well. We feel that it’s a small inconvenience to endure in order to be able to gather together and enjoy great independent films again. Please help us with this effort.
And speaking of venues…we not only have our longtime and loyal establishments, Bagels & More, La Casa Grande, Domenico’s and the Hendricks Center back in the lineup. We’ve added three more new and exciting locales, as well. Now you can enjoy films in the fresh environs of the Downtown Beloit Association facility, Visit Beloit, and the new Irontek venue at the Ironworks Campus.
While we intend to be in-person this year, we haven’t forgotten those who may not feel comfortable with that format, or may not be mobile enough to venture to the city center. BIFF learned how to mount a virtual festival last year, and we’re not going to let all of that education go to waste. We will be offering a select list of films online that you can view at home. So now you can enjoy BIFF downtown, or in the comfort of your living room…or both!
And what about the films? Well, we have a bunch! Over 136 films including features, shorts and music videos. And we’re adding some new genres: horror, sci-fi, and fantasy. Plus, a block of incredible films from our newest festival partner, the Luang Prabang Film Festival in Laos. BIFF has never seen so much variety!
Of course, we could not do this every year without two key components: our loyal sponsors and tireless volunteers. Our thanks to all of them for continuing to help us make BIFF the high-quality arts and entertainment event that it is, and always has been.
Please join us for a whole new BIFF experience this year. And all you have to do is park once and stroll the city center. We really are The Walkable Film Festival!
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!
2023 Welcome From
Visit Beloit
Celestino Ruffini E.D. Visit Beloit BIFF Board Member
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!
Sabrina Krejci
Filmmaker Hospitality Director
Social Media
Hi, I am Sabrina, and I am your go to person for everything Filmmaker Hospitality, Social Media, and Marketing with the festival. I work to keep our festival known for having one of the best hospitality programs. Bringing filmmakers to Beloit and Beloit to filmmakers!
Brett Janisch
Assistant to the Executive Director
Hey there, I’m Brett. I assist the Festival Director with various tasks to help to cushion the festival pressures throughout the year. I am also the BIFF “tech guy” who oversees and quality checks the festival media during and outside our annual 10-day festival circuit.
Board of Directors
Laura Doll
BIFF - Beloit International Film Festival
Marjorie Driscoll
BIFF - Beloit International Film Festival
Mark Dutter
BIFF - Beloit International Film Festival
Brenda Gould
BIFF - Beloit International Film Festival
Sue Hess
Secretary
BIFF - Beloit International Film Festival
John Kalkirtz
BIFF - Beloit International Film Festival
Ana Kelly
BIFF - Beloit International Film Festival
Jeff Livingston
BIFF - Beloit International Film Festival
Dave Luebke
BIFF - Beloit International Film Festival
Gary Meier
Treasurer
BIFF - Beloit International Film FestivalLindsay Mitchell
President
BIFF - Beloit International Film Festival
Aaron Peterson
Vice President
BIFF - Beloit International Film FestivalCelestino Ruffini
BIFF - Beloit International Film Festival
Amanda Sink
BIFF - Beloit International Film Festival
Stella
BIFF - Beloit International Film Festival
Nancy & Jim Heidt
BIFF Volunteer Coordinators
BIFF - Beloit International Film Festival
Nicola Meyer
Maven of Merchandise
BIFF - Beloit International Film Festival
Marjorie & Brenton Driscoll
Photography (Peer Canvas)
BIFF - Beloit International Film FestivalBIFF Photographers
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!
The Story of BIFF
The Beloit International Film Festival was the idea of a group of people involved with business, education, the arts, and entertainment in the small college city of Beloit on the Wisconsin-Illinois Stateline. Beloit has always been a community that, as it changed, challenged itself with new ideas, changing its identity and improving life for its citizens. The Festival founders wanted to show that a small city with spirit and drive could challenge settings and established programs far larger and better endowed.
The BIFF concept was presented to the community at a series of breakfasts and luncheons as the originators sought financial support, emotional encouragement, and volunteer involvement. Local industrialists Ken and Diane Hendricks stepped forward with a challenge, offering to match up to $40,000 raised from the community. The challenge was met within weeks and, in January 2006, just six months after the concept was promulgated, the first BIFF was presented at a half dozen venues throughout Beloit’s downtown area.
Humble Beginnings
It started as a long weekend designed to introduce the stateline community to the creative and cultural inspiration, challenges, and artistic rewards of cinematic art. An early principle of BIFF was to honor and celebrate ALL filmmakers in attendance and encourage audiences to recognize their work by engaging in exciting conversations. Social events went late into the night as filmmakers found a dedicated cadre of film lovers who filled their screenings and stopped them on the street, bought them lunch, and discussed their work.
One of the earliest events which has now been duplicated by a number of Festivals, was the Silent Film Showcase, presenting great films from the silent era accompanied by a new or original musical score, performed by the local symphony orchestra. The first show was sold out.
Another early project that has been honored, and continues today, is the “Kids at BIFF” program, designed to develop and educate the next generation of moviegoers. Each year, several thousand fifth graders from the region are brought to one of the large venues to watch and discuss a number of carefully selected films, presented in cooperation with the Kids First Foundation.
The first year was a widely reported success with positive reviews both locally and in national film publications. This prompted requests from surrounding communities to become settings for future films, expanding the number of venues to include settings on both sides of the state line.
Festival attendees walking from one venue to another in downtown Beloit WI
Ron Nief
Co-founder
w/ Becky Rogers
Audience Filmmaker Interaction
The Quintessential BIFF Experience
Dedication & Development
In 2012, with the growth in submissions and visits by as many as 180 filmmakers annually, BIFF expanded to ten days and used the additional time to celebrate the work of juried and non-juried local filmmakers representing Wisconsin and Illinois. The Wisconsin-Illinois Showdown now takes place the first weekend of BIFF and allows local filmmakers to establish relationships with other artists and to discuss their art and craft.
In 2014, in cooperation with local businesses and Beloit College, BIFF became a year-round Festival with films shown weekly, usually with filmmakers in attendance or electronically connected. During the summers, with the gift of a large inflatable outdoor screen, BIFF was able to show family films at parks throughout the area.
But the basic concepts of BIFF continue. Selected films are shown mostly in small venues, seating 30-100, most of them within walking distance of each other. The town and restaurants take on a Capraesque spirit as audiences move between venues. Large events, such as the annual BIFF Sing Along musical, the final Classic Film Showcase, presenting a great popular film selected by the community, the Silent Film Showcase, and BIFF CARES, which groups films with a social theme, continue to sell out larger venues.
Ron Nief
BIFF Co-Founder
Board Chairman 2005-2015
Board Member 2016 to 2019
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.
