Lights, Camera, and a Lot of Action

Getting Ready for BIFF 2017

The 12th Beloit International Film Festival is set to bring the world to Beloit and Beloit to the world, February 24 to March 5. All the hundreds of final details, from scheduling to travel arrangements, are falling into place. This year’s dates are a week later than last year, but the intense preparation for the ten-day event is already in high gear.

The BIFF website, beloitfilmfest.org is now live! Come check out the films, trailers and synopsis. We’ll be adding still more films over the next several days so watch for updates on BIFF social media, email and announcements on the site. The festival schedule and tickets will be going live soon. Watch for these announcements.

BIFF curators have reviewed more than a thousand films submitted for consideration this year. In addition, they have approached filmmakers around the world whose work has caught their eye at major international festivals, inviting them to Beloit.

BIFF2017 will screen 100 outstanding independent films—narrative features, documentaries and shorts—presented at five downtown venues, including Domenico’s, the Hendricks Arts Center, Bagels and More, Bushel and Peck’s Local Market and La Casa Grande.

The Perennial Favorites

Major events during BIFF are also scheduled at Schubert’s Luxury Ten Cinema on Cranston Rd. and, for the first time, at Beloit Memorial High School.

Wisconsin / Illinois ShowdownBIFF will once again include screenings of films beginning at noon on the two weekends, and each evening in-between. The Festival will kick off with the annual Wisconsin-Illinois Showdown, featuring films by both new and established filmmakers in the region. Viewers will have the opportunity to vote in this two state competition and awards will be presented. Wisconsin has taken the top awards for the past two years.

Audience favorites will be back again including the BMO Harris Silent Film Showcase on March 4, featuring the music of the award-winning BMHS Jazz Orchestra under the direction of Chris Behrens. The program, featuring the 1925 silent feature The Freshman, starring Harold Lloyd, will be presented at Beloit Memorial High School.

Also back are the popular Sing Along film at Luxury 10 on Friday, March 3, preceded by costume competition and warm up; the Kids at BIFF program introducing new audiences to quality media; The Beloit Health System BIFF CARES series, and the concluding First National Bank Classic Film, with one of the great films of the past century selected by polling of BIFF attendees in recent weeks. More details will be released on these events in the coming weeks.

Incoming BIFF Executive Director Max Maiken promises plenty of surprises and opportunities to meet the filmmakers. “We will once again present the live radio performance of a classic film and we will also restore our Reveal party this year. We are working on an early February date for the Reveal, where film fans can obtain the first copies of the printed program, hear from staff about films on their ‘favorites’ list, and see some of the trailers.”

Tickets will be available online for $9 plus a purchase fee. In mid-February, the BIFF Box Office will open at Gallery ABBA at CELEB at 437 East Grand Ave. where tickets and information will also be available.

The Beloit International Film Festival, celebrating its 12th year, is sponsored by the Hendricks Group in association with Beloit College and with funding from Visit Beloit.  Support for the Festival comes from area businesses and civic organizations, and individual support for BIFF is provided through membership in the BIFF Founders and the Film Society of Beloit.

Keeping Film Alive in Downtown Beloit

The BIFF website, which will be unveiled this week, is a work of art in more than one aspect. The featured image this year is a work commissioned by BIFF from Rock County artist Jim Richter. The work, with an updated twist on the marquee, reflects another period when Downtown Beloit was the regional center of cinematic activity. It features The Majestic Theatre, once located at the west end of Broad Street, one of five movie theaters that attracted film lovers to downtown.

Contact Max Maiken: 989-259-6743, max@beloitfilmfest.org

BIFF - Beloit International Film Festival
BIFF | Beloit International Film Festival