Venues & Parking
BIFF Venues Concentrate in Downtown
Our 2011 venues offer amenities and seating for as few as 45 and up to 600 people. Many of the venues, including Bagels and More, Domenico’s and Casa Grande, as well as local produce market Bushel and Peck’s, will offer food and beverages before and during the programs. The Eclipse Center will offer refreshments at particular programs including the Silent Film Showcase with the Beloit Janesville Symphony Orchestra on Saturday evening, and other venues will offer movie theater snacks.
“One of the things that really appeals to the filmmakers and the audiences alike is the variety of venues in downtown businesses and their proximity to each other,”, “We have tried a variety of mixes of venues each year and the design that works best is to concentrate the film screening settings in one area. It also allows us to add more films into the mix because of the reduced time needed for travel and parking.”
One of the benefits of concentrating the downtown locations is the return of the complimentary limousine service provided by J&J Limousine. “While most of the downtown locations are within walking distance, February weather and limited parking makes the limos a welcome mode of getting around,”.
Close to 150 films will be shown during the four day festival. The program will be released and tickets will go on sale on line online at www.beloitfilmfest.org in mid-January.
BIFF is sponsored by The Hendricks Group of Beloit in association with Beloit College and with a grant from Visit Beloit. Diane and the late Ken Hendricks have been the major supporters of the Festival since its inception. BIFF is produced by Stateline Festivals Inc.
Link to 2011 BIFF Venues Map
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Beloit College Hendricks Center for the Arts
Corner of Grand Ave. and Pleasant St.
This former U.S. Post Office and Beloit Public Library began its second century this past fall as an educational center as the result of a generous gift of Diane and the late Ken Hendricks to Beloit College. Two superb screening venues are located on the first floor: Dance Studio One seating approximately 100, and the Film Studies Classroom seating 75.
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The Rotary River Center
Located on Riverside Drive (Route 51) in beautiful Riverside Park
Rotary River center returns as a BIFF screening venue this year. This popular Beloit community gathering place seats 120 and offers convenient parking.
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Bagels & More
324 State Street
This popular and intimate viewing location has been refurbished for BIFF. The locally owned and operated downtown location offers a great spot for breakfast and lunch as well as for snacks, wine and beer during screening, all served up by host Dave Siekierski and his staff.
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La Casa Grande
618 Fourth Street
Enjoy margaritas and a movie in this 200 seat setting, at one of the most popular Mexican themed restaurants in the region. Owner Peter Gabrielle will be on hand to welcome you to dining, films and nightcaps.
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Bushel and Peck’s
328 State Street
Bushel and Peck’s market in downtown Beloit is a great new addition to Beloit. This wonderful old-fashioned grocery store, created by Rich Horbaczewski and Jackie Gennett, offers great homemade snacks and meals at all their screenings.
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Domenico’s Restaurant
547 East Grand Avenue
Family-owned since 1973, this Italian restaurant can be an ideal location for those looking for a dining and cinema experience. Recently renovated, this location is a perfect destination for BIFF 2011.
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Eclipse Center
1701 Riverside Drive
This magnificent setting in the center court of the Eclipse Center will be the location for the Launch & Laurels Event to kick off the festival. It also hosts BIFF’s signature event – the Silent Film Showcase.
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Angel Museum
656 Pleasant St. (Highway 51)
With a seating capacity of 60, the Museum, located across the parking lot north of Nikki’s Café, is home to the world’s largest angel collection featuring the Berg Angel Collection and Oprah Winfrey’s collection of black angels. Along with the films, on Friday and Saturday evening the Museum will offer a social hour and Italian dinner (Reservations for the dinner may be made at 608-362-9099.)
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Nikki’s Café
604 Pleasant Street
Located at the north end of the Heritage View Condominiums, this popular new gathering place for students, meetings and entertainment seats 40 for films. Coffee, beer and wine and great meals and refreshments are offered throughout the day.
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Beloit Public Library
605 Eclipse Boulevard
The newly renovated Beloit Public Library serves as one of the newer members of the BIFF venue family. It’s mission: Improve the quality of life in our community by providing resources and services that stimulate lifelong personal enrichment, enjoyment, reading and learning is closely aligned with BIFF and makes it an excellent addition.
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The Metropolitan Restaurant
12 South Main Street, Janesville
Chef/owner Georges Hanna is pleased to welcome you to his brasserie, the first BIFF venue in Janesville. This intimate 60 seat screening venue will offer fine dining and a great selection of films as well as access to the shuttle to the Beloit venues.
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