Since its inception, BIFF has been aware that the best way to thrive in any community is to give something back to those who have supported you.
BIFF CLASSROOM is a group of programs that have been developed over the last fourteen years, taking the knowledge that the festival has gathered from one year to another and sharing it with a wide array of local students.
Kids@BIFF
One of BIFF’s most effective and respected community outreach programs, KIDS@BIFF has brought thousands of young people together in an effort to teach critical thinking skills by way of independent film criticism.
In partnership with Kristy Champion and the school district of Beloit, as well as Kids First! and the Coalition for Quality Children’s Media, KIDS@BIFF engages area 5th grade students in discussions of film quality.
The 2022 program includes classroom visits from BIFF staff, and a field trip to the Central Christian Church theater in Beloit, where students will watch and critique a collection of short films produced especially for kids.
Student Filmmaker Showcase
DATES: Jan. 31 through Feb. 23, 2022
TIME: 5:30 – 6:30pm
LOCATION: CareerTek, 625 3rd St., Beloit
PRICE: FREE
(Snacks will be provided)
To participate:
Call Hendricks Careertek at (608) 312-4770
Capacity: 12 Students
Student Films Screening
FREE
Wednesday, March 2nd., 5:30pm
Visit Beloit
656 Pleasant Street.
The Beloit International Film Festival is bringing back a great opportunity for students (grades 9th – 12th) to collaborate with professionals filmmakers and learn how to make movies that look like… well… movies! Students will learn how to write, direct and edit as they complete their short films.
The program will be comprised of five sessions starting January 31st and will end with a viewing of all films crated on February 23rd. Orientation will be Monday, January 31st at 5:30pm at CareerTek. The date and times of the four remaining sessions will be determined at orientation.
Instruction is provided by Beloit filmmakers Marjorie and Brenton Driscoll of Peer Canvas.
A viewing of the students films at Visit Beloit will be scheduled for family and friends. And finally, on lucky film will be given a Student Filmmaker Showcase BIFFY award!
The Showcase was actually an annual event that was given a rest for a few years, and then rebooted, thanks to a grant via the Stateline Community Foundation and Barbara and Tom Morgan. The program is held at Career Tek in Beloit under the supervision of Susan Day, with educational direction from Beloit filmmakers, Marjorie and Brenton Driscoll of Peer Canvas.
Students will learn screenwriting, smartphone-based camera work, acting, lighting, editing, etc., over a four-week series of sessions, culminating in a BIFF festival screening of all the finished short films, on Wednesday, February 26 at 6:00 Bushel & Peck’s. Free to the public, the best of which will receive a mini BIFFY award. (*This program primarily targets high school-aged students)
Now in its third year of BIFF sponsorship, Discover Mediaworks will, again, be bringing a crew from its popular television program, Into The Outdoors, to Career Tek in Beloit for a workshop on March 5, starting at 2pm. Area students will have an opportunity to learn what it’s like to perform in front of a camera, and maybe even have a shot at hosting a future episode of Into The Outdoors. (This program is designed for kids ages 12-16)
The community members behind our sponsor logos
Marjorie & Brenton Driscoll
Peer Canvas
BIFF - Beloit International Film Festival
Nancy Clark-Mather
Beloit FilmWorks
BIFF - Beloit International Film Festival
Derrick Carter
Careertek
BIFF - Beloit International Film Festival
Sharon Vegter
Careertek
BIFF - Beloit International Film FestivalBIFF Classroom
Another way in which the festival attempts to give back to the Beloit community and surrounding area. Programs are underwritten through generous support of the organizations and corporations whose logos you see listed below.
