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.
BIFF 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.