Introducing
With the advent of digital technologies, this truly is the era of DIY filmmaking. If you write the script, why not make the movie? For those interested in creating short films or micro-budget features this panel will cover keys to financing, pre-production through post, marketing, navigating the festival circuit, and more.
The workshop is intended for all ages and will appeal to novices and experienced filmmakers alike. Reservations are not required but seating is on a first-come basis. This workshop is free and open to the public.
Sat. Feb. 23rd. 10am – Noon @ Hendricks CareerTek
Presented by:
James Choi is a prolific, award-winning filmmaker with over a decade of film industry experience in Los Angeles having worked in representation (Innovative Artists and The Firm), production (Sarkissian Productions, Rush Hour) and digital media (Ifilm.com/MTV Networks).
As an independent producer, James has produced two feature films from first time directors that have premiered at SXSW — “Made in China” which won the Grand Jury Prize and distributed by IFC Films and “Saint Frances” which will make it’s world premiere at SXSW in 2019.
James was selected as one of Newcity’s Film 50 Leaders of Chicago’s film culture of 2018. Having been in the forefront of the micro independent film movement in the last decade, James has produced and directed numerous films that have screened widely all around the world, winning awards and receiving distribution.
Mr. Choi is based out of Chicago and teaches film at DePaul University’s School of Cinematic Arts.
BIFF 2019 Film Submission
BIFF 2018 Film Submission
635 3rd Street, Suite 200
Ironworks Campus, Downtown Beloit
262-203-3942
Entrance on the “Spine Road” off of 3rd. Street
Entrance next to the Golf Lab. You’ll see the BIFF flags
Directed by Benjamin May
With the opening night of the Beloit International Film Festival just a month and a half off, work is in high gear in the BIFF offices as staff and volunteers set travel and screening schedules and design programs for the 14 th season.
Starring Charlie Chaplin
$20 online & at the door
$5 students with ID
Sponsored by:
The tradition continues as BIFF presents its 14th installment of the Silent Film Showcase. This year’s selection is the 1921 Charlie Chaplin masterpiece, THE KID. The opening title reads: “A comedy with a smile—and perhaps a tear.” It’s Charlie at his best as The Tramp, who finds himself taking care of an abandoned child and facing a series of events that put their relationship in jeopardy. Hijinx, pratfalls, comedy and drama as only Chaplin can create.
And speaking of tradition! The Beloit Memorial Jazz Orchestra under the direction of Chris Behrens will, once again, provide the musical backdrop for this special screening. This will be the third consecutive silent film performance by the nationally recognized, award-winning ensemble, and BIFF is tremendously proud to partner with such a marvelous collection of young local talent for its flagship film event.
The program will be presented at Beloit Memorial High School auditorium which offers adequate seating and convenient parking.
Staring Charlie Chaplin
This was Chaplin’s first feature length movie as writer, director and star. And it’s a masterpiece. The little tramp finds an orphan baby and winds up raising him. Five years later the kid is a scrappy little guy that, thanks to the little tramps upbringing, is already an aspiring petty thief and huckster. The little tramp may not be the best parent in the world but their father/son relationship is genuinely touching and often hilarious.
This is the little tramp at his most feisty. The scene where the kid gets taken away and the little tramp goes out the window, climbs over several rooftops, fights off a policeman, and jumps into a moving truck to save the kid is perhaps the little tramp’s finest hour.
Sir Charles Spencer Chaplin KBE (16 April 1889 – 25 December 1977) was an English comic actor, filmmaker, and composer who rose to fame in the era of silent film. He became a worldwide icon through his screen persona, “the Tramp”, and is considered one of the most important figures in the history of the film industry.[1] His career spanned more than 75 years, from childhood in the 
Victorian era until a year before his death in 1977, and encompassed both adulation and controversy.
Accompanying the Silent Film
Under the direction of Mr. Chris Behrens
National Board Certified Teacher
The BMJO has developed a tradition of exceptional and nationally recognized jazz music program. BMJO was first invited to the nation’s leading high school jazz band festival and competition Essentially Ellington hosted by Wynton Marsalis and Jazz at the Lincoln Center in New York City in 2009. Hundreds of high school jazz bands from across the country submit three performances for the judges of internationally known jazz masters at the Lincoln Center for blind review. Each year only fifteen are invited to New York for the nation’s foremost high school jazz band festival and concert.
In 2012 BMJO was invited back again. And BMJO has earned an invitation back each year since. Quite a feet considering their competing with metros many of which are considerably larger than Beloit, arts magnet schools or both. The Beloit Jazz Band program is well known and recognized at the Lincoln Center in New York and among the greatest H.S. Jazz programs across the county.
One thing that doesn’t get mentioned is the fact that these students aren’t just exceptional musicians, they’re also exceptional students. It should be noted that the average GPA of the student-musicians hoping to make it to Essentially Ellington this year is 3.6.
Sat. Feb. 23, 7:30 PM
Schubert’s Luxury 10 Theater
Sponsored by:
Journey back to the early seventies when hippies and flower children celebrated the concepts of peace, love and freedom, and the musical GODSPELL was running off-Broadway and playing on screens across the USA. This iconic collection of parables, based on the Gospel of Matthew, spawned the hit song, DAY BY DAY, and soon became a favorite production for high schools and community theater groups throughout America. Composed by Stephen Schwartz and based on the book by John-Michael Tebelak, it is packed with memorable and hummable tunes, and a feel-good mood and message that’s great for the whole family.
The evening will feature Michelle Dennis and her local theater cohorts as song leaders, with an audience warm-up before the film that will include a costume contest! So don’t forget to dress in colorful and imaginative hippie-dippy flower-power style!
The Beloit International Film Festival, celebrating its 14th season, is sponsored by the Hendricks Group in association with Beloit College and with additional support provided by Visit Beloit. Support for the Festival comes from area businesses and civic organizations, and the Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the State of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts. Individual support for BIFF is provided through membership in the BIFF Founders and the Film Society of Beloit.
For the second year in a row, the Beloit International Film Festival has been recognized by the Wisconsin Arts Board with a prestigious Creation and Presentation Grant.
We invited the graphics arts student at Beloit Memorial High School to try their hand at coming up with a poster for the upcoming 2018 Film Festival. Well, look at what they’ve produced for us! Nicely done!
BIFF is pleased to announce that Kristin Peterson, creator of the Wisconsin/Illinois Showdown, will be returning as the director of the program for BIFF 2019!
Impressive turnout to the new season of BIFF Year ‘Round. Remember that Wednesday night films are being screened at Bushel and Peck’s Local Market for the next few weeks while the sound system is being repaired at the Hendricks Center.
The Beloit International Film Festival and The Beloit Public Library proudly present.
The newest, established, permanent, floating gambling night in Beloit.…where the wheel of fortune goes round and round and where she stops will support two great cultural programs in Beloit.
Directed by Quinn Wilson
Directed by Leon Chambers
Directed by Shaz Bennett
Directed by Elina Street
Directed by Kyle V. James
Directed by Kevin Keck
