How do you celebrate an achievement like keeping a film festival operational and successful for ten years, in the midst of a sketchy economy and on a shoestring budget, and spinning that festival into the undisputed, single-most important and highly rated arts and entertainment event in the entire Stateline region??
Two words:
So BIFF is taking over downtown Beloit, inside and out, and staging a one-night-only, got-to-be-there, Lollapafestastravaganza!!! And YOU are on the who’s-who, international, VIP guest list (this means it’s all FREE). It all starts on Friday evening, February 20th at 7:30PM and continues until they run out of fun!! Here’s a listing of what you’ll be loving when you attend:
Throughout the evening, professional fire breathing will light up the night on the downtown streets of Beloit. Spectacular tongues of flame will lap at the crisp winter air, and additional displays of flaming hula hooping and poi spinning will amaze young and old alike.
The roar of the chain saw! Ice chips spinning into the frosty air! Suddenly, a work of crystalline art appears. Ice sculpting artisans will assemble in the First National Bank and Trust Company Park (right across the street from the bank) to compete for a cash prize. Stop by and cast your vote with a BIFF Twitter tweet!!
Feeling a little under the weather? Stop at the Bop for the BEST medicine!! The “Isthmus of Misfits” Comedy Mini-Fest promises a healthy line-up of sidesplitting comics with a cure for the common winter blues!! Or wait till the pros are done and step up to the open mic and share a few minutes of your own brand of comic tonic!!
From Chicago, the puppeteering capital of the Midwest, comes a troupe of performers wielding life-size creatures to amaze and entertain you with this time honored specialized art form. It ain’t no Pinocchio show! Enjoy the spectacle in the comfortable west lobby of the Hendricks Center for the Arts at Beloit College.
If you need to rest your mind and body for a bit, duck into one of two venues featuring coffee house style entertainment. Each location and artist comes with its own special brand of mood, style and atmosphere. Relax with fine wines and coffees at Café Fromage, or your favorite top shelf spirits at Merrill & Houston’s. Then, wash it down with a splash of classic folk and brilliant original music by local solo artists. Ahh…that feels good!
Local legendary guitarist/singer/songwriter and blues aficionado, Matt Goodwin, has assembled a group of talented veterans of the blues/rock scene to get the party started at Suds O’Hanahan’s. Bring your axe, get onstage, plug in and join together with the jam!!
Beloit’s own Dr. Robert Tomaro wears a lot of musical hats: Maestro of the Rock River Philharmonic, touring fusion bandleader, Grammy nominated songwriter and producer, and international singing sensation! Catch Rob wearing his jazz beret and leading his remarkable trio before he leaves us for another world tour!! Joining Rob with his Sinatra-esque vocalizations is BIFF’s very own Creative/Operations Director, Grammy nominated songwriter, Greg Gerard.
What the heck is a SPEBSQSA?? Well, it actually stands for the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America! Our own John Kalkirtz has assembled a fab foursome and more some of veteran barber shoppers to add a little harmony to the evening. In addition, the award winning Trinity Irish Dancers from Milwaukee, WI will perform amazing traditional Celtic dance routines, and the Polish Dance Ensemble will offer their own colorful ethnic flair.
The Block Party has something for everyone, including kids…from tots to tweens! Nikole Wagner of Doodles, Beloit’s finest service for arts and crafts education for all ages, will host a family crafts event that will include learning how to construct an animation device. Nikole is a highly skilled artist and is wonderful with kids groups! It’s a Friday night. No school on Saturday. Let ‘em stay up late…and create!!
It’s Casablanca at La Casa!! Jim Lyke and his JPAC Radio Players from Janesville, WI will bring their amazing talents to Beloit for a one-night-only performance of the Lux Radio Theater classic, Casablanca. Jim and his troupe have mounted many radio theater productions in the past, including an acclaimed performance of the Orson Welles/H. G. Wells legendary War of the Worlds.
You can attend the performance and watch in the comfort of the La Casa Grande screening room, or you can tune your radio to WBEL AM 1380 in Beloit. and listen to the entire performance in the privacy of your own home or automobile…right before you head to downtown Beloit for the Block Party of the Century!!!
FREE Screening
Sun March 1st, 2015 – 2:00 PM – Schubert’s Luxury 10 Theatre
Genre: Drama
Country: USA
Subtitles: No
Rating: NR
Runtime: 129 min.
Director: Robert Mulligan
Producer:
Website : To Kill a Mockingbird
Presented by:
To Kill a Mockingbird is a novel by Harper Lee published in 1960. It was immediately successful, winning the Pulitzer Prize, and has become a classic of modern American literature. The plot and characters are loosely based on the author’s observations of her family and neighbors, as well as on an event that occurred near her hometown in 1936, when she was 10 years old.
The novel is renowned for its warmth and humor, despite dealing with the serious issues of rape and racial inequality. The narrator’s father, Atticus Finch, has served as a moral hero for many readers and as a model of integrity for lawyers. One critic explains the novel’s impact by writing, “In the twentieth century, To Kill a Mockingbird is probably the most widely read book dealing with race in America, and its protagonist, Atticus Finch, the most enduring fictional image of racial heroism.
This outreach and educational concept was developed by the Beloit International Film Festival several years ago to promote and present films dealing with significant issues touching us as a community and as individuals.
Films, accompanied by panels of commentators and engaged filmmakers, have dealt with topics ranging from teen homelessness and child abuse to end of life issues. One of the festival’s most successful programs, BIFF CARES films are presented several times in a variety of venues, reaching thousands in the process.
The Human Papilloma Virus HPV may be the most widespread, misunderstood and potentially dangerous epidemic that most people hardly know anything about. The film is narrated by Vanessa Williams and examines the lives of five women affected by HPV, each of whom has an intimate story to tell, and features interviews with experts on the most common sexually transmitted infection in humans: HPV.
With the support of the Beloit Health System, the film will be presented numerous times throughout the festival. A panel of health experts and counselors will speak and answer questions following three of the presentations, one on Saturday January 31st, 2015 at 2:00 PM during BIFF@Janesville at the Ramada Inn and on Friday, February 27th at 7:30 PM and Saturday February 28th at 2:00 PM at Schubert’s Luxury 10 Theatres in Beloit.
Ms. Williams and the filmmakers will help to introduce the film at the festival.
The goal is to educate and inform as many people as possible about this preventable form of cancer and develop a healthier community in the process.
Rock County Health Department
Genital human papillomavirus (also called HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI). There are more than 40 HPV types that can infect the genital areas of males and females. These HPV types can also infect the mouth and throat. In most cases, HPV goes away on its own and does not cause any health problems. But when HPV does not go away, it can cause health problems like genital warts and cancer. HPV is so common that most sexually-active men and women will get at least one type ofHPV at some point in their lives. The CDC estimates that 21,000 cases of cervical cancer could be prevented through vaccination for HPV. Cervical cancer is not the only cancer caused by HPV (Genital HPV Infection Fact Sheet: http://www.cdc.gov/std/HPV/STDFact-HPV.htm#a7)
There are 42,908 Rock County citizens between 12 and 26 years old that are entered in the Wisconsin
Immunization Registry system.
HPV Vaccination works. A new study looking at the prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) infections in girls and women before and after the introduction of the HPV vaccine shows a significant reduction in vaccine-type HPV in U.S. teens. The study, published in The Journal of Infectious Diseases reveals that since the vaccine was introduced in 2006, vaccine-type HPV prevalence decreased 56 percent among female teenagers 14-19 years of age.
What Can You Do To Prevent HPV and Cervical Cancer
This eye-opening film tells the story of a five-star chef, a twelve year-old girl, and a retired schoolteacher, world’s apart, who discover how their individual efforts to feed the poor ignite a movement in the fight against hunger.
Award-winning chef Narayanan Krishnan, fighting against the caste system in India, quits his job to begin a life of cooking and hand-delivering fresh meals to hundreds of people in his hometown. Katie Stagliano’s planting of a single cabbage seedling when she was nine years old blossoms into Katie’s Krops, a non-profit with 73 gardens dedicated to ending hunger. Retired middle school teacher Allan Law battles personal health issues as he hand-delivers more than a thousand sandwiches nightly to the hungry in Minneapolis.
With the support of Dr. Jane Fossum and the Beloit Rotary, BIFF is working to bring Katie Stagliano to talk about her work and perhaps inspire a new effort in our community.
The 2015 Silent Film Showcase will have an entirely new look and format for BIFF’s 10th anniversary. The featured film will be the original 1925 version of “The Phantom of the Opera” starring Lon Chaney. The presentation will take place in the Sanctuary at The Castle in Beloit. The film will be accompanied by internationally renowned organist Bob Rub who will play the Castle’s Henry Pilcher & Sons vintage pipe organ. The accompaniment will include the original organ score with additional musical interludes composed by Maestro Tomaro. Periodically during the screening, old will meet new, as the accompaniment will briefly switch from organ to piano with Lanette Calhoun accompanying soprano Gaia Galvan and tenor Scott Chachula as they perform selections from the 2004 Andrew Lloyd Webber version of “The Phantom of the Opera.” Other highlights of the evening will include the Rock River Philharmonic silent auction, which each year raises important funds to support the Philharmonic. The RRP, under the direction of Maestro Robert Tomaro, will provide its Chamber Orchestra to perform atmospheric selections during the reception and auction portions of the evening, as well as the musicians who will accompany the film.
Although his parents were deaf-mutes, Leonidas Chaney became an actor and also owner of a theatre company (together with his brother John). He made his debut at the movies in 1912, and his filmography is vast.
Lon Chaney was especially famous for his horror parts in movies like e.g. Quasimodo in The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1923).
Due to his special make-up effects he carried the characterization to be “the man with the thousand faces.”
He only filmed one movie with sound: The remake of one of his earlier films The Unholy Three (1930).
His son, Lon Chaney Jr., became a famous actor of the horror genre.
This signature BIFF event features members of the Rock River Philharmonic under the direction of Maestro Robert Tomaro.
Since its inception, the signature event of The Beloit International Film Festival has been the Saturday evening BMO Harris Bank Silent Film Showcase.
Sold-out audiences have frequently included film festival executives from around the country on hand to see how BIFF creates the program so they might duplicate it at their festivals. This annual celebration of early 20th century film is highlighted by a performance of an original or newly conceived musical score performed by the Beloit Janesville Symphony Orchestra, now operating under its new brand: The Rock River Philharmonic.
Prior to the Silent Film screening there will be a reception and silent auction to benefit the Rock River Philharmonic (formerly the Beloit Janesville Symphony).
Items available for auction include something for everyone:
Genre: Musical, Romace
Country: U.S.
Rating: PG-13
Runtime: 110 min.
Director: Randal Kleiser
Producer: Allan Carr, Robert Stigwood
Website : Singalonga
A musical about teens in love in the 50’s! It’s California, 1959 and greaser Danny Zuko and Australian Sandy Olsson are in love.
They spend time at the beach, but when they go back to school, what either of them don’t know is that they both now attend Rydell High. Danny’s the leader of the T-Birds, a group of black-jacket greasers while Sandy hangs with the Pink Ladies, a group of pink-wearing girls led by Rizzo.
When they clash at Rydell’s first pep rally, Danny isn’t the same Danny at the beach.
They try to be like each other so they can be together.
The evening begins with a live show in which your host will lead you through a vocal warm-up, judge the uproarious costume contest and award the prizes.
Costumes are not mandatory but they are highly recommended and you will be amazed at the creativity on display.
The host will then show you how to use your free prop bag throughout the film and suggest some appropriate heckles and accompanying actions.
The audience takes over as the star of the show from this point and almost anything can happen – the first rule of Sing-a-long-a is THERE ARE NO RULES!
This year’s set of silent masterpieces will once again be drawn from the work of one of the greatest pioneers in film, Charlie Chaplin. Three incredible short silent films (“The Floorwalker,” “The Count,” and “Easy Streets”) will be presented at the Eclipse Center in Beloit, with the original Carl Davis musical soundtrack presented live by the Beloit Janesville Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Robert Tomaro.
A highlight of the annual Silent Film Showcase each year is that of an original score for the film by the full Beloit Janesville Symphony Orchestra.
DATE: Saturday, Feb. 22nd
TIME:
LOCATION: Eclipse Center (Center Court)
PRICE: $25 – all ages (plus tax and service fees online tickets)
Community Partner: The Ironworks Hotel
After causing havoc on the sales floor Charlie goes to the office floor. There he runs into the store inspector (who looks exactly like him) who has just robbed the safe and knocked out the manager. Charlie thinks he is in front of a mirror till he notices he holds a stock and his “image” the bag of loot.
Charlie burns a count’s trousers while ironing them and is fired. The tailor finds an invitation to dinner at Miss Moneybags and goes in place of the count. Charlie goes to the kitchen of the same house; he is attracted to the cook, and so are the butler and a policeman. Once discovered by the tailor-count, Charlie must pretend to be the count’s secretary. The real count shows up.
When Charlie the Tramp wanders into a mission he is smitten by Edna and puts back the collection box which he has taken. Reformed, he becomes a policeman and is assigned to rough-and-tumble Easy Street. Unable to trick or beat Eric the Tough, he puts Eric’s head in a gas pipe and anesthetizes him. A hero, he now helps many poor people living on Easy Street. Eric escapes jail, Edna is kidnapped, but Charlie (recharged after sitting on a doper’s needle) conquers all. Easy Street is transformed as is Eric.
Presented by:
This signature BIFF event features the Beloit Janesville Symphony under the direction of Maestro Robert Tomaro
Since its inception, the most popular single element of The Beloit International Film Festival has been the Saturday evening BMO Harris Bank Silent Film Showcase.
Sold-out audiences have frequently included film festival executives from around the country on- hand to see how BIFF creates the program so they might duplicate it at their festivals. This annual celebration of early 20th century film is highlighted by a performance of an original or newly conceived musical score performed by the Beloit Janesville Symphony Orchestra.
Prior to the Silent Film screening there will be a reception and silent auction to benefit the Beloit Janesville Symphony.
Items available for auction include something for everyone:
In keeping with a philosophy of offering something for everyone, The Beloit International Film Festival continues with the second annual BIFF Plus Music showcase performances! During the second weekend of the 10 Days of BIFF, dozens of musicians will play their hearts out for filmgoers and filmmakers.
Audiences have an opportunity to hear new bands and singer songwriters on four stages in downtown Beloit. Musicians and bands from across the nation will showcase their astounding talents and compete for a series of awards and cash prizes.
At each venue, audience members are encouraged to purchase “votes” to support their favorite acts in taking home BIFF Plus Music awards. These votes will count toward the points awarded by Jury and by Audience Choice.
Bushel & Peck’s
10 pm – ANDREW D. HUBER
11 pm – THUNDERJUNK
12 am – The LISTENING PARTY
Club Impulse
10 pm – DUPOND DUPONT
11 pm – OD JO
12 am – AYOH
Merrill&Houston’s
10 pm – DUANE WORDEN
11 pm – BRIAGHA MCTAVISH
12 am – COMIC BOOKS
Suds O’Hanahan’s
10 pm – RED & RECKLESS
11 pm – VINTAGE BLUE
12 am – EAGLE TRACE
Bushel & Peck’s
10 pm – BONE WHISKEY
11 pm – FURIOUS FRANK
12 am – MR. F
Club Impulse
10 pm – The GUILTY WANTED
11 pm – DEAD ON TV
12 am – SOLAR
Merrill&Houston’s
10 pm – ELISA GRACE
11 pm – NORA COLLINS
12 am – WISHING WELL
Suds O’Hanahan’s
10 pm – OWEN STEVENSON
11 pm – JOE NEARY
12 am – North Country Blonde
This year there is NO cover charge for BIFF +MUSIC
TICKETS: BUY
This year’s silent masterpiece will once again be drawn from the work of one of the greatest pioneers in film, Harold Lloyd. “Speedy,” Lloyd’s last silent film release, will be presented at the Eclipse Center in Beloit, with the original musical soundtrack presented live by the Beloit Janesville Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Robert Tomaro.
With his familiar dark rimmed glasses, Lloyd plays “Speedy,” a soda-jerk who loses his job and goes to Coney Island for the day with his girlfriend. He takes on a heroic stature when he organizes the neighborhood to thwart the railroad when it tries to run the last horse-drawn trolley, operated by his girl’s out of business. Released in 1928, “Speedy” was filmed in New York City and nominated for an Academy Award.
“The response was so positive to last year’s silent film selection, Harold Lloyd’s ‘Kid Brother,’ that we decided to turn to the master again for this year’s film,”. “It is amazing to see how well the humor stands up after 90 years. It is a high point of BIFF each year as we watch multiple generations sitting together and sharing in both the humor and the artistry of this purest form of film.”
A highlight of the annual Silent Film Showcase each year is the of an original score for the film by the full Beloit Janesville Symphony Orchestra. This year, the BJS will again present an orchestral arrangement of the score by British composer Carl Davis who has gained an international reputation by giving new life to long-silent film scores.
“Speedy” loses his job as a soda-jerk, then spends the day with his girl at Coney Island. He then becomes a cab driver and delivers Babe Ruth to Yankee Stadium, where he stays to see the game. When the railroad tries to run the last horse-drawn trolley (operated by his girl’s grandfather) out of business, “Speedy” organizes the neighborhood oldtimers to thwart their scheme.
~Written by Herman Seifer
Speedy is a 1928 silent film that was one of the films to be nominated for the short-lived Academy Award for Best Director of a Comedy. It starred famous comedian Harold Lloyd in the eponymous leading role, and it was his last silent film to be released in theatres. The film was written by Albert DeMond (titles), John Grey (story), J.A. Howe (story), Lex Neal (story), and Howard Emmett Rogers (story) with uncredited assistance from Al Boasberg and Paul Girard Smith. It was directed by Ted Wilde (the last silent film to be directed by him). It was shot on location in New York City.
DATE: Saturday, February 16th, 2013
TIME:
6:00 pm – Reception & silent auction
7:30 pm – Film Starts
LOCATION: Eclipse Center (Center Court)
PRICE: $25 for all ages plus tax and service fees online (box office opens soon – “Like” us on facebook to be looped in on event updates)
TICKETS: BUY
This film is presented with the original score performed live by the Beloit Janesville Symphony with Music Director Robert Tomaro. This will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity too experience the film with live orchestra!
Presented by:
This signature BIFF event features the Beloit Janesville Symphony under the direction of Maestro Robert Tomaro
Since its inception, the most popular single element of The Beloit International Film Festival has been the Saturday evening BMO Harris Bank Silent Film Showcase.
Sold-out audiences have frequently included film festival executives from around the country on- hand to see how BIFF creates the program so they might duplicate it at their festivals. This annual celebration of early 20th century film is highlighted by a performance of an original or newly conceived musical score performed by the Beloit Janesville Symphony Orchestra.
Prior to the Silent Film screening there will be a reception and silent auction to benefit the Beloit Janesville Symphony.
Items available for auction include something for everyone:
The Beloit International Film Festival is excited to present a brand new event for families at the 2012 festival.
Date: Saturday, Feb. 18th 2012
Times:
– 9:00 am Program Begins
– 1:00 pm co-operative learning documentary
– 2:00 pm Student Filmmaker Showcase
Location: Beloit Public Library
Price: FREE
Family Day @ BIFF is a free event that will be held on Saturday, February 18th for parents and children. Kid friendly films will be screened at the Beloit Public Library from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Beloit International Film Festival is proud to be supporting R.E. Burgos, the director of last year’s 1649 (Sixteen Forty-Nine), in his new short film, Video Storytelling, that focuses on the dreams and goals of three middle school girls.
These students, from Aldrich Middle School in Beloit, Wisconsin, will be introduced to the art and process of filmmaking as well as participating in the creation of the film from scriptwriting to production. In the film, they will be sharing their plans for future careers and interacting on camera with people who currently hold their dream jobs.
This project gives students the opportunity to showcase their professional ambitions, while growing their creative and journalistic skills.
Come join us for this much anticipated premier!
Date: Saturday Feb. 18th
Time: 5:00 pm
Location: Beloit Public Library
Price: $8 plus taxes and service charges
BIFF will be presenting two special night out Dinner and a movie events.
Dinner begins at 6 pm, Movie begins at 7:30
Movie Synopsis:
The inhabitants of Saadet Apartment are about to get a lesson in grass roots revolution.
A group of women who have become numb to the pain in their lives welcome a new tenant into the building. Little do they know that the heartbroken Eylem will change their lives forever. Trailer below.
Dinner begins at 6 pm, Movie begins at 7:30
Movie Synopsis:
Sam Stone is a clothing manufacturer, who married his wife Barbara, for the money that she was supposed to inherit from her dying father, but her father didn’t die for another fifteen years. Trailer below.
Presented By:
Finish off the day of enjoying some great film and BIFF events by joining your friends, other fest-goers and filmmakers for B.A.D. (BIFF After Dark). Come enjoy some fantastic live music and drink specials arranged especially for you by our generous sponsors.
10:00 pm – 2:00 am
500 Pleasant Street
Beloit
Featuring: “The San Juan Project” from Guadalajara, Mexico
This exciting event provides the perfect Downtown gathering for film maker and buff alike. Join us for live music and drink specials.
Presented by:
Come watch the United States Premier of The San Juan Project. Originated in 2008 in Guadalajara, Mexico, The San Juan Project consists of 4 members- Isreal Ulloa, Arturo Lamadrid, Arturo De La Torre, and Mayer Rod. With each member bringing there own unique style, San Juan Project’s musical concept has been winning over the local scene of Guadalajara since there start, and through there explosive live shows they have been captivating audiences throughout the country.
Presented By:
The kitchen stays open late for late night snacks and drink specials will be offered.
THE KEN HENDRICKS PEOPLES CHOICE AWARD
WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT THIS EVENT.
Presented by:
BIFF Latino, a program initiated two years ago at the Beloit International Film Festival will present a series of highly praised Spanish language films. With the support of the Southern Wisconsin Interpreting and Translation Service (SWITS) the films will be available at reduced prices for all.
DATE: Friday, Feb 21st , 2012 ONLY (films screened other days & times not discounted)
LOCATION: Rotary River Center
REDUCED PRICE: $2.00 discount (thanks to SWITS sponsorship)
Musgo/Moss | Ugry Night Tickets (Friday Feb. 21, 5:00)
Hasta Nunca Tickets (Friday Feb. 21 2012, 7:30)
SWITS founder and BIFF board member Saul Arteaga has underwritten a program that makes all tickets for the BIFF Latino films $2 off plus fees.
Presented by:
BIFF Latino, un programa iniciado el año pasado en el Festival Internacional de Cine de Beloit presentará una serie de películas muy elogiadas en idioma español. Con el apoyo de Southern Wisconsin Interpreting and Translation Service (SWITS) las películas estarán disponibles a precios reducidos para todos.
FECHA: Viernes, Febrero 21 Descuento solo se aplicara a esta proyección.
LUGAR: Rotary River Center
PRECIO REDUCIDO: $2.00 descuento (gracias al auspicio de SWITS)
Musgo/Moss | Ugry Night Entradas (Viernes Feb. 21 5:00)
Hasta Nunca Entradas (Viernes Feb. 21 7:30)
BIFF ha tratado de llegar a todos los miembros de la comunidad con películas que tendrán un atractivo especial para diversos grupos. Las películas están dirigidas a aquellos interesados en el español y que deseen mejorar tanto sus habilidades con el idioma como su entendimiento de la cultura latinoamericana. Las películas son de cineastas de América del Sur y Central.
El fundador de SWITS y miembro de la junta directiva de BIFF, Saúl Arteaga, ha avalado un programa que hace que todas las entradas para las películas de BIFF Latino estén a un descuento de $2 más tarifas.
NOTA: Estas películas tendra embajadores bilingües para su conveniencia.
Presentado por:
Be the first to hear about the films selected to be in the Beloit International Film Festival 2013!
These much-anticipated soirees are where film fest supporters meet to obtain the official BIFF program book, talk about what films they are excited about, hear the inside scoop regarding the festival, and see trailers of upcoming movies to be featured at BIFF 2013.
This year we’ll have three Sneak Peeks. One each in Beloit, Rockford & Janesville.
Check out the dates and details below. We look forward to seeing you there!