BIFF provides a bridge between exceptional emerging cinematic storytellers and the Beloit community. This year’s Narrative Showcase continues our time-tested tradition.
BIFF is proud to showcase a slate of screenings that represent some of the very best of today’s independent documentary filmmakers and filmmaking.
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.
Sing-A-Long
Saturday Feb. 24th, 7:30 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!
Silent Film
Saturday Mar. 3rd, 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
Sunday March 4th, 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.
WI / IL Showdown
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.
Saturday Feb. 24th, 2:30 pm
Friday March 2nd, 8:30 pm
Saturday March 3rd, 11:00 am
FREE but limited seating
R.S.V.P. First Come-First Served
Our two instructors, filmmaker Damien Patrik and the actor Bates Wilder.
And new this year BIFF will celebrate the art of filmmaking and help inspire a new generation of artists this year with the establishment of the post of BIFF Artist-in-Residence.
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.
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. The selection committee that viewed all 2500 submissions to BIFF this year.
Fri. Feb. 23rd, 7:00-9:00 pm
Grand Ave. Pub
132 W. Grand Ave. Beloit
The Beloit International Film Festival means more than just ten days of great independent film. It means nine nights of live music in Downtown Beloit. It means it is Party Season.
Beloit After Dark—the BAD celebration of musical talent is something for everyone with nightly drink specials, no cover charges and BIFF’s official brew, Stella Artois.
Back by popular demand! The BIFF / Greater Beloit Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours Reveal Party. We will be revealing the print program book and making first-time announcements about the upcoming festival.
Be among the first to be in the know about this season’s event. What’s all this excitement about BIFF? Well, join us and find out.
Student Project Screening
Saturday March 3rd. 2:30 pm
Beloit Public Library
FREE, Open to the public
Some 850 students from Beloit and South Beloit will participate this year as they share their critiques and watch films in school and in a special program at Luxury 10 Cinema the week before BIFF. An addition to the BIFF Classroom program this year will be Help Yourself Films. Help Yourself Films is a partnership with the Beloit College Help Yourself program
Tuesday, Feb. 27, 5:30 pm
La Casa Grande
FREE Event
Discover Wisconsin is a TV show that features towns and cities throughout Wisconsin. Beloit has an entire episode that will air on March 17.
Friday, Feb. 23, 5:30 pm
La Casa Grande
FREE Event
One of the most popular elements of BIFF in recent years has been a throwback to the past in content and technology. On opening night, leading off the festivities, vintage classic radio becomes the art form of the moment. The Janesville Radio Players for a hour-long performance of the radio drama, All About Eve.
Welcome to our Film Festival
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Welcome to our Community
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.
BIFF Sponsorship
It’s actively involved community partners like these that make it happen for all of us. Huge Thank You! Considering BIFF Sponsorship?