BIFF is a ten-day tribute to the power of film and the excitement of independent film from around the world. Local residents and visitors from across the nation fill venues, ranging in size from 40 to 400 seats for more than 100 films, and to meet scores of filmmakers who come from throughout the U.S. and as far away as Europe, Asia and Latin America.
BIFF celebrates filmmakers in all genres—features, documentaries, shorts— who enjoy the Beloit setting as much as the attendees do. BIFF promises crowds of interested viewers filling venues, questioning them at the films, and stopping them on the street to talk about their shared passions and projects in independent filmmaking.
What is it that keeps bringing audiences and filmmakers back to BIFF
Since its start, BIFF has been committed to honoring filmmakers. That artistic respect is carried on by the audiences that come to BIFF each year. From educations programs in partnership with the Beloit School system, that reach out to elementary school aged “audiences of the future” to Society for Learning Unlimited (SLU) courses, is association with Beloit College, for intellectually active seniors, BIFF has encouraged appreciative and knowledgeable filmgoers.
In addition to full venues, BIFF celebrates the filmmakers with a variety of amenities ranging from their own hospitality lounge, special evening parties, tickets to films and events, and the annual BIFFY Awards night.
Diane and the late Ken Hendricks inspired the creation of BIFF and encouraged community support of the program. Their active participation in the planning process and in helping to develop professional ties with the film industry has been invaluable. Diane continues the Hendricks Group’s support and involvement.
BIFF has received broad national attention and has been called the “next big thing” by Moviemaker Magazine and has been identified as one of a half dozen alternatives to “Sundance” by The New York Times.
"BIFF is a unique celebration of this great American art form, designed for the film lover and the film maker." Ken & Diane Hendricks, BIFF Founding Sponsors
BIFF is organized exclusively for charitable purposes under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, to create and stage affordable social, educational, and entertaining events. In addition, BIFF was created to harness the power of film to improve our community and ourselves.
