Some frequently asked questions
are already answered on other pages. For example, parking
and travel information can be found on the Location & Maps page. Please look
over the entire site for the answer to your question
before you send e-mail. Thanks!
» What should I bring to B-Fest?
If you're planning to stay for the entire 24 hours, we
recommend the following basics:
• A pillow
• A flashlight
• A toothbrush & toothpaste
• Some cash for meals and snacks in the cafeteria
Some folks have a much more elaborate set of gear at
B-Fest, including sleeping bags or a change of clothes, but
if you have the items above, you should find your
experience at B-Fest comfortable and pleasant.
You might as well leave the laser pointer at home. As props
go, little red points of light aren't well-liked at B-Fest.
» What hours are the doors of the Norris University
Center open? Doesn't Evanston have a curfew?
The doors of Norris University Center close at 2 a.m.; no
one is allowed in or out until the doors re-open at 8 a.m.
In accordance with Evanston law, those under 18 who are not
Northwestern University students must leave at 11:45 p.m.
and may reenter after 8 a.m.
» When is the Norris University Center food court
open?
The food court has a number of establishments with
operating hours that vary. You can find the full Norris
schedule here (and the current week's operating schedule
here), but it appears that the latest any of them are open
is 9 p.m. on Friday. The earliest establishment to open on
Saturday is the coffee shop at 10 a.m. There are several
restaurants in the vicinity that will likely have hours
outside of these.
(This information last updated Nov 15 2005 - hours
fluctuate, so please check with the official NWU site.)
» Can I bring food into the auditorium?
According to the rules posted in McCormick Auditorium, food
and beverages of any kind are forbidden. Alcoholic
beverages are expressly forbidden and those found consuming
them in the auditorium will be ejected from the event.
» Are there any other rules I should know
about?
• No criminal behavior will be tolerated.
• Excessive use of a laser pointer may result in your
ejection from the auditorium. As per Supreme Court ruling
we know what "excessive" is when we see it.
• Also, please do not bring thick paper plates (i.e.
Chinet or plastic) for Plan Nine – yes, they fly much
better but it stings to get hit in the face with one.
• Please be considerate of your fellow festival
attendees. Point your flashlight at the floor when making
your way to and from your seat. Say "please" and "thank
you." Cover your mouth when you sneeze.
» I notice that some of the films you show are
rated "R." How can I be sure that B-Fest is appropriate for
my child?
B-Fest programming is generally innocuous, but we do show
some R-rated movies and some material with "adult" themes.
Questionable material is generally consigned to the
late-night hours, but R-rated films can be shown at any
time of the day. If there is any hesitation about a film,
please ask the B-Fest staff about its content.
Please note that many B-Fest films are monster movies or
old horror flicks. If your child frightens easily, perhaps
it's best to leave them at home for now; bring them to
B-Fest in another year or two.
» Wow, B-Fest sold out really quickly this year!
Why don't you move it to a larger theater so you can admit
more people?
That's actually a much more complicated question than it
sounds, and the short answer is that B-Fest must remain on
the Northwestern campus. The Norris University Center has a
number of assets (comfortable seating, projection
equipment, sound system, cafeteria, etc) that make it
uniquely suited to B-Fest. No other venue on campus comes
close.
» I have a question that you didn't cover on this
page!
Check the rest of the site for the info you want. If you
still can't find it, send some e-mail to Chris Holland,
B-Fest.com webmaster, at chris at stomptokyo dot
com.