Bringing The World To Beloit

Didn’t quite make it out to Sundance this year?  Traveling to Caan or Toronto doesn’t really fit into your busy schedule?  Well you may wish to consider a more local film festival option, the Beloit International Film Festival (BIFF).  In March 2018, BIFF wrapped up it’s 13^th successful season, a ten day tribute to the power of film and the excitement of independent filmmaking.  The festival celebrates filmmakers in all genres:  features, documentaries, and shorts.  This year, the BIFF featured over 125 films and 250 filmmakers from across the globe.

 BIFF Has Helped Revive Downtown Beloit

One of the key principles BIFF was founded on was a respect for, and a celebration of, the filmmakers who share their art with others. Since 2005, the festival has grown from a single weekend to now span ten days and seven venues ranging from 40 to 400 seats. Local residents and visitors from throughout the United States and across the globe fill the venues to view the films, participate in discussion panels, and meet filmmakers from as far away as Europe, Asia, and South America. In 2014, BIFF became a year-round festival with several educational programs and films showing weekly.
 

BIFF not only is a celebration of independent filmmaking, but has become an important part of Beloit’s downtown revival.  “Bringing the world to Beloit and Beloit to the World is not just a slogan,” explains BIFF Board President, Marty Densch.  “It’s what we do.  As we continue through our second decade, it’s the reputation we will build on.”  With over 300 volunteers working year-round, BIFF has become a community effort welcoming filmmakers from around the world.

BIFF has grown to be more than just a film festival.  It strives to be a vital part of the State Line community through year-round programs.  In addition to showing the BIFF selected films schedule, the festival continues to add programs that attract a wider audience.  The BIFF Silent Film Showcase presents classic films from the silent film era accompanied by live music.  Over 850 Beloit and South Beloit middle school students participated in the 2018 BIFF Classroom.  Students gathered at the Luxury 10 Cinema to watch and discuss films during the week before this year’s festival.  Participating in BIFF Classroom, students are introduced to film criticism and filmmaking.  Another popular program is the BIFF Sing Along Musical.  Hundreds of Elsa fans dressed up and sang ‘Let It Go’ and ‘Do You Want to Build a Snowman?’ with the Disney classic musical Frozen (on screen lyrics provided). The BIFF Cares Program groups films with a social theme.  These films examine a broad array of health challenges and offer a new perspective while engaging the audience in discussion.  During the BIFF Filmmakers Workshop, guest filmmakers provide professional insight and guidance into the art and craft of independent filmmaking.  There is even a Wisconsin/Illinois Showdown, featuring a friendly competition between independent filmmakers from both sides of the state line. 

As it grows, BIFF has garnered some serious accolades.  MovieMaker Magazine called BIFF “the next big thing.”  The festival has also been cited as one of a half dozen alternatives to Sundance by the New York Times.  As a result of showing at the festival, several BIFF films have received reviews in outlets such as The Hollywood Reporter, MadisonMovies.com, Cultured Vultures, Every Movie Has a Lesson, Keeping-It-Reel, White City Cinema, as well as TV affiliates local to areas of significance to the films at the festival. 

Winners of the 2018 BIFFY Awards Celebrate

BIFF provides year-round opportunities for fans of independent films.  To learn more about BIFF and its programs, check out www.beloitfilmfest.org.