The First National Bank BIFF Classic Film is the closing event of the annual Beloit International Film Festival and always draws overflow crowds. The free event, which has featured such popular films in the past as To Kill a Mockingbird, The Maltese Falcon, and The Sting, provides the opportunity to revisit a favorite film on the big screen, the way it was meant to be seen.

This year’s Classic Film, selected through a survey of First National Bank customers and BIFF attendees, is the supercalifragilistic 1964 Oscar winner, Mary Poppins. Starring Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke, it is set in turn-of-the-century London, and tells the story of a magical nanny who employs music and adventure to help two neglected children become closer to their father. It won Academy Awards for Best Film and Best Actress, with similar recognition at the Golden Globes. The musical score also received the Oscar with special recognition for the best original song, Chim Chim Cher-ee.

The film inspired the 2018 film Mary Poppins Returns for a new generation of viewers.

The film will be screened at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 3, at Schubert’s Luxury 10 Theatre at 2799 Cranston Rd., one of BIFF’s eight venues in Beloit.

For more information: Mary Poppins, FNBT Classic Film 2019

The Beloit International Film Festival this year marks its 14th season as the region’s major international cultural event. BIFF is sponsored by the Hendricks Family Foundation and Visit Beloit in association with Beloit College. 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. Critical individual support for BIFF is provided through gifts and membership in the BIFF Founders and the Film Society of Beloit.