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.
BIFF After Dark—the B.A.D. celebration of musical talent is something for everyone with nightly drink specials, no cover charges and BIFF PILS!
BIFF PILS – The Official Brew of the Beloit International Film Festival
Friday, Feb 21st. 8pm
Kick off the festival with a band that’s been playing in this area since 1976. They’ve compiled a repertoire of hundreds of songs including a wide variety of classic rock and country. And best of all, they promise to have you dancing! Nightly drink specials and no cover charge.
Saturday, Feb 22nd. 9pm
Classic and southern rock, R&B and traditional blues from this band of local musicians featuring dynamic frontman, Joel Brockwell. Every performance is a party!! Nightly drink specials and no cover charge!
Monday, Feb 24th. 6:30pm
Every Monday night a Blues Jam breaks out at the GAP, hosted by area guitarist Dave Potter and his crew. Sit back or sit in! Nightly drink specials and no cover charge!
Wednesday, Feb 26th. 7pm
Join Steve, Russ and their cohorts as they entertain you… and possibly accompany you… when you visit the GAP for Open Mic night! You can go solo, if you like. Or you can invite the band to back you up (they know a ton of songs). You might even get to see a few of the BIFF staff and management onstage making fools of themselves! Nightly drink specials and no cover charge!
Thursday, Feb 27th. 7pm
Mike McKearn and Kyle Marx take the stage with their amazing acoustic catalog of originals and classics. Just good, solid playing. Nightly drink specials and no cover charge.
Friday, Feb. 28th. 8pm
When musicians are truly having fun and enjoying what they’re playing it’s impossible to hide it. Being first-rate players to boot creates a perfect package. The William Purvis Band delivers a thoroughly pleasing and enjoyable musical experience. Nightly drink specials, no cover charge.
Saturday, Feb 29th. 9pm
A high energy band bringing you Pop, Funk, R&B, and more! A bunch of musicians who got together to make good music, they say they want to make the crowd dance, drink, and have an excellent time. So come on out and help them do it. Nightly drink specials and no cover charge.
Sunday, Mar 1st. 3pm
Close out BIFF 2020 appropriately with the local big band of fine musicians, presenting dance music and big band sound – at it’s very best. Nightly drink specials and no cover change.
Monday, Mar. 2nd. 6:30pm
BIFF Volunteers’ Night Out
“That first festival had so much energy and excitement,” Klett said. “It put Beloit on the map as a place for serious filmmakers”
Each year, The Beloit International Film festival selects a supporter of film, filmmakers, and the Beloit community to serve in the role of Honorary Chair of BIFF. This year, the selection is a celebration both ways, as the state’s number one promoter of cultural and natural virtues of Wisconsin returns to her home town to help celebrate 15 years of BIFF. There is hardly a bigger fan of BIFF since its inception than Beloiter Stephanie Klett, former Wisconsin Secretary of Tourism and current president and CEO of Visit Lake Geneva. As Honorary Chair, she will be a part of all the major public events at this year’s BIFF and will host the initial “BIFFteenth” Anniversary Party on the eve of BIFF 2020, Thursday, Feb. 20th. Klett first helped to market and promote the Beloit International Film Festival in 2006 when she was Host of Discover Wisconsin Television and Radio. She asked her co-host Rick Rose, whom she had become friends with as theater majors at Beloit College, to join in on the promotion.
“That first festival had so much energy and excitement,” Klett said. “It put Beloit on the map as a place for serious filmmakers to go and elevated our community in a way that is almost unquantifiable. I am thrilled to be the Honorary Chair for the 15th Anniversary. This is a huge accomplishment for the hundreds of BIFF volunteers, the Beloit area and of course the Board of Directors”.
Executive Director Greg Gerard has indicated that “we are excited that she is available to support our 2020 celebration. We are already planning the party, and there is nobody we would rather celebrate with!”.
Klett is a graduate of Beloit Memorial High School and Beloit College. She first brought national focus on Beloit as Miss Wisconsin in 1992, winning the talent portion of the Miss America Pageant for her solo trumpet work. She has also soloed with the Beloit Janesville Symphony. For the past eight years she served the state as Wisconsin’s chief promoter in the Scott Walker administration. Through her Spotlight on Wisconsin, she promoted and supported the work of the AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin, Beloit Regional Hospice and the Stateline Boys and Girls Clubs.
BIFF CARES 2020 presents films that shed light on health issues, depicted in new independent films that are informative, compelling, inspiring and moving.
This year the program consists of several amazing films that address loving and caring for those with Alzheimer’s, loving and caring for our returning veterans, and loving and caring for others across cultures.
Directed by Eric Gardon
Documentary Feature
USA | 77 min | 2019
Synopsis
When All That’s Left is Love is the emotionally gripping story of a wife’s determination to care for her Alzheimer’s-stricken husband in their home. With unprecedented, behind-the-scenes access, the film reveals the toll that the disease takes on families coping with Alzheimer’s, while also showcasing the power of love that sustains both patients and caregivers.
Eric Gordon, Director
Directed by
Steve Ellmore
Synopsis:
Amid the opioid and suicide epidemics, military veterans across the nation are ditching prescription medications in favor of cannabis.
In his first feature-length documentary, producer, director, and military veteran Steve Ellmore chronicles the lives of fellow veterans, spouses, and family members coping with war-related trauma and the loss of loved ones to suicide brought on by the over-prescription of pharmaceuticals.
Steve Ellmore, Director
Directed by Miranda de Pencier
Feature Narrative
Canada | 104 min | 2018
Synopsis:
Based on a true story, The Grizzlies is more than the usual triumph through sports story, for it doesn’t shy away from moving depictions of the poverty and isolation characteristic of too many northern communities.
When first-time teacher Russ Shepherd comes to Kugluktuk, he brings preconceived notions about northern life and no little hubris about his self-imposed mission to bring about change. An interconnected chain of dramatic incidents, however (and some quieter cross-cultural corrections) lead Russ to understand that education is a two-way street. Initially, the hastily built lacrosse team seems mild after- school fun, but soon becomes the lightening rod for the community’s differing views on its future.
Driven by remarkable performances by the young, Nunavut -based cast, and seeded with unassailable authenticity because of it’s dramatic location, The Grizzlies proves to be one of the most unexpectedly affirming films of the year.
Miranda de Pencier
Director
Directed by
T.B.A.
Synopsis
TBA
Nicholas Stange
Teacher, Faculty Advisor
Harlem High School
Machesney Park, IL
Wisconsin Public Television (WPT) and POV, television’s longest-running documentary film series, along with Community Action, Inc. and the Beloit International Film Festival, will host a free community meal and special presentation of the Academy Award-nominated film, Minding the Gap.
The meal and screening will be followed by a community discussion moderated by Community Action, Inc. featuring the film’s director Bing Liu, one of the film’s subjects, Keire Johnson and members of the Beloit community.
Directed by Bing Liu
Documentary Feature
US | 93 min. | 2018
Sat. April 13th, 2019NOTE:
Seating is limited and available on first-come, first seated basis. Meals prepared for approximately 200 attendees. No RSVP necessary.
FREE childcare provided by Community Action with reservation only.
608-755-2488. Ask for Kayla for arrangements.
Director Bing Liu’s debut film chronicles three skateboarding friends as they navigate coming of age in Rockford, Ill. “While navigating a complex relationship between his camera and his friends, Bing explores the gap between fathers and sons, between discipline and domestic abuse and ultimately that precarious chasm between childhood and becoming an adult.”
WPT is a place to grow through learning on WHA-TV, Madison; WPNE-TV, Green Bay; WHRM-TV, Wausau; WLEF-TV, Park Falls; WHLA-TV, La Crosse; and WHWC-TV, Menomonie-Eau Claire.
Producer/Director
Bing is a 30-year-old Chicago-based filmmaker whose critically acclaimed documentary Minding the Gap has earned over 50 award recognitions since its premiere at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival, where it took home the Special Jury Award for Breakthrough Filmmaking. He directed three storylines on America To Me, a 10-hour series from Steve James that examines racial inequities in the U.S. education system. Bing is a member of the Directors Guild of America and was a former member of the International Cinematographers Guild. Bing is a 2017 Film Independent Fellow and Garrett Scott Development Grant recipient and graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. in Literature from the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Directors: Bing Liu
Country: US
Year: 2018
Language: English
Runtime: 93min.
Rated: G
Producers: Bing Liu, Diane Quon
Executive Producer: Gordon Quinn, Steve James, Betsy Steinberg
Editor: Josh Altman
Composers: Nathan Halpern, Chris Ruggiero
Sponsored by:
Our BIFF 2019 Honorary Chair
Tom, or Tommy as he is affectionately known to his many friends, has operated Suds O’Hanahan’s Irish Pub in downtown Beloit for more than twenty years. Opening any business downtown was something of a risk back then as the renaissance that would transform Beloit was still a few years away. Tommy’s foresight in locating this popular pub in the heart of Beloit’s business district helped launch that revival and it’s a credit to his vision that Suds O’Hanahan’s endures.
Directed by Laura Green & Anna Moot-Levin
After that first BIFF event in 2006 we realized that we had unleashed something truly significant. As you well know, film can be a potent force. It can make people laugh, it can make people cry. It can touch them deep inside and make them look at the world in a whole new light.
As its name suggests, this award was created to spotlight that awesome power. It is given to a film that shares with the world a powerful, life-changing message. The winner this year absolutely fits this description.
Finalists:
Directed by Timothy Busfield
Finalists:
Directed by Aaron & Amanda Kopp
Directed by Bobby Pontillas & Andrew Chesworth
Directed by Jozef Devillé
Finalists:
Directed by James William Theres
For weeks throughout the year, our film audience gathers to pre-view and review selected BIFF-eligible films. Together they select a winner before BIFF even starts.
Finalists:
Sponsored by:
Directed by Gavin Michael Booth
A very special friend of BIFF was Josh Burton, who we lost in 2007. As a professional actor, Josh had a successful career on Broadway but returned home to become a driving force in the Greater Beloit arts community. He entertained countless local audiences both as an actor and as a producer as he helped create a professional summer theater company in residence at Beloit College.
In that spirit, the Josh Burton Award acknowledges a film deserving of recognition for bringing something truly special to the stage, or in this case, the screen.
Finalists:
Directed by Jamie Patterson
Finalists:
Directed by Sean McGinly
Finalists:
If you need hi-res images contact us at
webmaster(at)beloitfilmfest(dot)org
Sat. Feb. 23rd. 5:00-6:30 pmLinda, star of the BIFF 2019 film “When I Sing,” will perform and our decorated culinary team will serve heavy appetizers from 5-6:30pm… all this for $25 per person.
Enjoy the finest cocktails found anywhere, with juices squeezed and herbs muddled right in front of you.
Take advantage of this special offer to gain access to an award winning private club and enjoy the music of Grammy nominated artist, Linda Chorney – up close and personal.
Directed by Robin Uriel Russin
No tickets required for this FREE screening.
Sunday March 4, 2018 — 2:30 PM
Schubert’s Luxury 10 Theater
2799 Cranston Rd. Beloit
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.
BIFF CLASSROOM is 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.
One of BIFF’s most effective and respected community outreach programs, KIDS@BIFF has brought thousands of elementary school-aged children together in an effort to teach critical thinking skills related to media by way of independent film. In partnership with KIDS FIRST! (a program of the Coalition for Quality Children’s Media) KIDS@BIFF engages area 5th grade students in discussions of film quality. The program includes classroom visits from BIFF staff, and a field trip to Schubert’s Luxury 10 Theatre in Beloit.
BIFF reaches out to area high school students through its part in the Help Yourself Films initiative.The program was designed in partnership with Help Yourself Films Director Regina Hendrix and Beloit College Professor of Media Studies, Joe Bookman. During the course of Summer 2018 approximately 40 students participated in workshops provided by BIFF and the staff at The Castle at 501 Prospect in Beloit. Students learned the basics of screenwriting, composition, film structure, cinematography, lighting, acting and direction.
Saturday Feb. 23rd, 2019.
2:30 pm
Beloit Public Library
FREE, Open to the public
Students were then asked to come up with story ideas, write scripts and shoot footage, which they worked into finished short films. These creations will be screened during BIFF 2019 at the Beloit Public Library and will be joined by BIFF 2019 Artist In Residence, James Choi, for a lively discussion and some filmmaking instruction.
5th grade students from Aldrich, Cunningham, Fruzen and McNeel Intermediate Schools.
For the tenth straight year BIFF, in partnership with Kristy Champion and the School District of Beloit, presented its annual Kids@BIFF field trips to Schubert’s Luxury 10 Theater in Beloit.
5th Grade students from area middle schools assembled to watch short films and learn critical thinking skills as they became official BIFF film critics for a day. Approximately 1000 students took part in this year’s program.
Film trailers are the perfect vehicle for their intended purpose, introducing the film in as compelling means possible and to encourage attendance.
We invite our filmmakers to provide Filmmaker Introductions. These are certainly intended to help encourage attendance as well however, we’re also trying to foster greater person-to-person connection between our guest filmmakers and our BIFF audiences.
We really appreciate getting to know the BIFF filmmakers. And we enjoy a little more insight into the the why of the film and the filmmaker’s intent and connection with their project. We find the Filmmaker Introductions particularly compelling and personable. We offer these to you in the hopes you might as well.
BIFF CARES 2019 highlights physicians, veterans and PTSD.
Sponsored by Beloit Health System, BIFF CARES 2019 present films that shed light on health issues, depicted in new independent films that are informative, compelling, inspiring and moving. This year the program consists of several amazing films that take us from the southwestern United States to battlefields abroad and to our own backyard.
Sponsored by:
Directed by Laura Green & Anna Moot-Levin
Documentary Feature
USA | 85 min | 2018
Laura Green
Co-Director
Laura Green is a documentary director and editor based in San Francisco. She has directed, produced and edited five short documentaries, which played at numerous festivals, including Palm Springs Shortfest, Aspen Shortsfest, Sarasota Film Festival, Mill Valley Film Festival, and Outfest.
She edited True Son (2014), a feature length documentary,
Anna Moot-Levin
Co-Director
Anna Moot-Levin is a documentary filmmaker and editor based in Brooklyn. She has directed, produced, shot and edited three short documentaries, Still in Motion(2011), Well-Fed (2012) and Track by Track (2013). Track by Track premiered at the Slamdance Film Festival and is in distribution with Sproutflix.
She is also an associate producer of the Academy
Directed by
Carson Menke, Nick Talan, Grant Hume, Nick Stange
Two Documentary Shorts
— Colorless
— My Friend Ingrid
USA | 70 min | 2018
Directors
Carson Menke:
Carson is a 19 year old student studying Finance with a minor in Entrepreneurship at University of Illinois at Chicago. He first got started in film and the Harlem veteran project where he spent his Junior and Senior High School creating two documentaries one being “Colorless”. Carson currently works at Gateway Community Bank as well as performing improv comedy in Chicago. He continues his interest in film by doing video and photoshoots along with running his YouTube channel.
Nick Talan:
Nick is a 20 year old film maker out of Machesney Park, IL. He first got his start in video production in high school while taking a Veteran Documentary and News Room simulator class. He then went on to get his Media Specialist certificate from Rock Valley College while also attaining his Associate of Arts degree. He is currently working in the free lance realm in videography and photography.
Grant Hume:
Grant is a 20 year old filmmaker out of Machesney Park, IL. He first got his start in video production in high school while taking a Veteran Documentary and News Room simulator class. He then went to work for SmythGrey Advertising as a Video Specialist.
Nicholas Stange:
Nicholas is currently a teacher at Harlem High School in Machesney Park, IL. He is also one of the main school sponsors of the Harlem Veteran Project. The Harlem Veteran Project is dedicated to recording the oral history of America’s veterans. Over the past 8 years the project has recorded over 200 interviews and created over 150 short feature documentaries. “Making of a Soldier,” is the second feature length documentary produced by Nicholas Stange and the Harlem Veteran Project.
Directed by Daniel Gartzke
Documentary Feature
USA | 84 min | 2018
Daniel Gartzke
Director
Beloit College Graduate and
Executive Director, Women in Film & Video
Washington D.C.
Saturday, March 2, 2:30pm
Rooftop Room at the Hotel Goodwin
FREE Event — Limited seating, arrive early
As part of its celebration of Women In Film, you are cordially invited to attend a special event that features an expert in the field, a friend to female filmmakers everywhere, and quite notably…a 1981 graduate of our own Beloit College!
Panel Discussion— Saturday, March 2nd. 2:30pm
— Rooftop Room, Hotel Goodwin
— Tickets… FREE!
The event takes place on Saturday March 2nd at 2:30pm in the Rooftop Room at the Hotel Goodwin. Melissa will be conducting a panel discussion. The panel will include women whose films are being screened at BIFF 2019. Seating is limited, so arrive early. We strongly encourage all filmmakers in town for the festival to attend!
Presented By: Anonymous Donor
Meet Melissa HoughtonMelissa Houghton is the Executive Director of Women in Film & Video of Washington, D.C. – a nonprofit organization that supports women in the independent film industry by promoting equal opportunities, encouraging professional development, providing a network of information, and educating the public about women’s creative achievements.
She has been on the WIFV team since 2005, promoting talented women for leadership positions and bringing resources to independent film production. Among her many impactful contributions is WIFV’s Image Makers Program, which teaches high school students how to research, write, produce, direct, and edit public service announcements in support of nonprofit organizations. Melissa has experience in national outreach and supporting PBS-format documentaries reach national audiences and generating community engagement across the country. Her work ethic is unparalleled as she tirelessly promotes ideas, films and women filmmakers.
2019 celebrates Women In Film by identifying the works of women filmmakers and by holding an open forum where women… and men…can gather to discuss this phenomenal ascent of gender in film.
Look for the symbol indicating that this film has a theme that is focused on a strong female presence, or was made by, directed by, produced by, written by…controlled by…WOMEN!
My personal thanks to all those women who have brought a wealth of amazing work to Beloit screens this year. I look forward to meeting you, and talking with you…and listening to you.
Greg Gerard
BIFF Artistic Director
Kismet?
Honestly, this year we hadn’t recognized the outpouring of women filmmakers until selections were finalized based on merit and we reflected back. Kismet? As a small tech business owner myself and mother of nine including three young women, I’m keenly appreciative and supportive of women’s professional accomplishments and civic contributions.
I feel very fortunate that I’m able to be a part of BIFF this year in particular as we celebrate the accomplishments and contributions of our women storytellers.
Ana Kelly
BIFF Board President
Feature Length Films
Shorts
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.
BIFF After Dark—the B.A.D. celebration of musical talent is something for everyone with nightly drink specials, no cover charges and BIFF PILS!
BIFF PILS – The Official Brew of the Beloit International Film Festival
Friday, Feb 22nd. 7pm
Kicking off this year’s festivities will be Beloit native and one of the world’s leading jazz trumpet virtuosos, Tony Scodwell. This year he will get things rolling with a two-hour set on opening night Feb. 22 at Suds O’Hanahan’s Irish Pub, 435 E Grand Ave in Beloit, starting at 7 p.m. He will be backed up by the celebrated Highland Community College Big Band from Freeport, Ill. Special Guests will include another Beloit trumpet virtuoso, John Meyers, as well as BIFF Artistic Director Greg Gerard and the Beloit College Jazz Band.
Scodwell, a formidable veteran of the Big Band music scene, returns to Beloit to recreate some of the great standards. Creator of fine trumpets used worldwide, he has played with legendary stars crossing five decades, from Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr. and Tony Bennett, to Elvis Presley, Diana Ross and Barbara Streisand.
