BIFF to Showcase New Wisconsin and Illinois Films in WI/IL Showdown
The Beloit International Film Festival will present 35 films from Wisconsin and Illinois as part of the annual WI/IL Showdown at BIFF2018. Showcased primarily on the first weekend of the festival, the Showdown becomes a gathering place for film artists from throughout the region and puts them in friendly competition for coveted audience voting based awards.
“It’s imperative for us to be a platform for these films and filmmakers,” says Adam Fogarty, a BIFF program director. “We have a responsibility to our audiences to keep them aware of new works and familiar faces in the region’s independent film community.”
“One of the biggest films to watch out for this year is AQUARIANS,” said Max Maiken, Executive Director of the festival. “It’s wonderful that we have such talent here in Wisconsin, and BIFF is proud to be a platform for their continued success.”
The Showdown delivers a unique taste of Illinois films as well, such as ALL THE QUEEN’S HORSES, a true crime documentary delving into one of the biggest public funds fraud cases in US history. Centering on Rita Crundwell, who stole $53 million in public funds across 20 years, Gerard noted he’s confident it will be an audience favorite. “It’s representative of the fascinating stories of our local area.”
The Showdown will also include several “Short Slots.” Fogarty noted VANITA as one short that “represents the wide range of artistic approaches Wisconsin filmmakers take.
The slow burn and emphasis on minute actions that audiences, looking for a more literary-like experience, will love. That is balanced with very different films like Hunter which is more of a family drama and tear jerker about a mother and son who run into friends while on a hunting trip.”
In recent years, Showdown films like 2016’s CHEESEHEADS and 2017’s THE BEAR AND THE OWL proved to be among the biggest hits of the festival.
They have helped cement the Showdown as one of the most quintessential programs of BIFF.
The WI/IL Showdown is generously sponsored by Beloit Auction and Realty, Brian Mark Funeral Home, WCLO Radio, Voigt Music Center and MKE Production Rental.
The complete WI/IL Showdown listing will be available on the BIFF website in coming weeks.
The Beloit International Film Festival, celebrating its 13th 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.
