One of the most popular events of the Beloit International Film Festival in recent years comes at the very end. There is good reason.
The First National Bank Classic Film is the final official event on the ten-day BIFF schedule and it is offered free. In addition, the community gets to select the film they want to see once again on the big screen from among the great films of all times.
This year, the community has spoken and the film is The Graduate, celebrating its 50th anniversary. The legendary 1967 Oscar winner tells the story of a disillusioned college graduate who finds himself torn between his older lover and her daughter. Directed by Mike Nichols, it offers memorable performances by Dustin Hoffman, Anne Bancroft and Katharine Ross, and one of the most memorable musical scores of all time by Simon and Garfunkel.
The film will be presented at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 5, at Schubert’s Luxury 10 Cinema at 2799 Cranston Rd., one of BIFF’s seven venues in Beloit. The Schubert management will offer free popcorn and pop.
The selection of this film came from a survey of First National Bank customers and BIFF attendees. The Graduate was a clear winner, beating out other cinematic classics including Citizen Kane, Bridge over the River Kwai and Bonnie and Clyde.
In recent years this closing event of BIFF has drawn overflow crowds, presenting films such as To Kill a Mockingbird, Braveheart, and last year’s The Maltese Falcon.
The Beloit International Film Festival, celebrating its 12th year, 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 individual support for BIFF is provided through membership in the BIFF Founders and the Film Society of Beloit.
