1. 5 Illinois Film Festival’s
Student Filmmakers
Should Attend
Now showing
2. Illinois houses the third largest city in the states that is Chicago in which the
film community continues to grow. Annual film festivals are held across the
state for local and worldwide filmmakers to compete for the audience’s
attention. Each festival contains its own objective and theme, which accepts
entries that must meet the festivals criteria. Festivals aren’t just for the
filmmakers but for the aspiring students in the industry and your average movie
goer. Chicago Film festivals bring in the crowds, which is why I’m naming off
some of the best festivals student filmmakers should attend to network, learn,
enjoy, and just experience the overall process.
3. 48-Hour Film Project
The 48-hour Film project isn’t native to
Chicago, but they regularly hold a
festival every summer for local
Chicagoans. You probably won’t see When: July 27th – 29th
any big names at a festival like
this, but its great for amateur Where: Firehouse Studios
filmmakers. Groups can register with 1545 W. Rosemont Ave.
a small fee and get assigned a genre to
write, shoot, and edit in… you guessed Website: 48hourfilm.com/en/chicago
it, 48-hours. Each group is also
assigned specific props and one-liners
to be thrown into their films. After the
hard work is done, sit back and watch
all the screenings. It’s very laid back
as all the contestants get the
opportunity to speak to the audience
about what they had to go through.
Teamwork and determination are the
take away. Who knows… you could
search for new contacts or have
someone discover you.
4. TV Pilot Competition
Movies aren’t always leading the
medium for entertainment these days.
Every summer this festival puts up
When: July 20th locals against one another to dish out a
half hour television pilot. Comedy is the
Where: 78 E. Washington St. goal, as the competition is about
Chicago’s Cultural Center Theater presenting the best half hour pilot. The
panel of judges consists of studio
Website: www.witsendshorts.com executives from CBC, Fox, Comedy
Central and possibly a few top talent
agencies. They only screen four pilots
because lets face it, could you really sit
through a days worth of half hour
comedies? One person can only laugh
so much. Comedy is hard genre, if your
looking for talent or advice; this is place
for you silly. Throw down ten dollars
and show up for a few laughs and some
networking.
5. Midwest International
Film Festival
When: Monthly
Where: 2828 N. Clark St.
Landmarks Centre Cinema
Website: www.midwestfilm.com
Chicagoans have the advantage of being in the big city where festivals come a bit
more annually than other locations in the Midwest. This festival represents
Independent low budget films for your up and comers to find an audience. There’s
always a chance to get your film screened at Midwest, because you have countless
opportunities to submit to the festival. Again, this is another festival with tons of
networking possibilities that show talent from neighboring states. Contacts are key
to a young filmmakers career, this festival is the bridge between moving up from
amateur to talking with the big leagues. It’s always a win if you just love watching
movies too.
6. Blue Whiskey Independent
Film Festival
When: July 24th – 29th
Where: Cutting Hall
150 E. Wood St., Palatine Il.
Website: www.bwiff.com
Interested in more Independent features? Check out Blue Whiskey Independent Film Festival
(the H in Whiskey is silent). Their objective compiles films that encompass story and
characters above all else leaving big budget films aside for equal opportunity. Unlike the other
festivals mentioned so far, Blue Whisky takes place once every year over the course of six
days of screenings. Thirty films are shown that vary from short to feature length films
displaying a variety of genre’s. I don’t think it’ll be a problem finding something that’ll interest
you. Blue Whiskey is one of the top festivals in Illinois from amateur to professional mixes of
talent. Check out their website listed above to see what’s playing this year.
7. Chicago International
Film Festival
When: October 11th – 25th
Where: Chicago area
Website: www.chicagofilmfestival.com
The Chicago International Film Festival is the biggest festival in Illinois. Chances are you’ve
heard of it before. Entries come in from all around the world spreading interesting stories and
characters that get away from the big Hollywood motion pictures. This festival is truly for the
film dork within that gets to geek out every October in the city of Chicago. Since the festival is
huge, it comes with a cost. You must pay to get into every screening or a package ranging
$90 up to $120 for multiple days. For student filmmakers, I believe its worth putting forth the
money to get a chance to view and discuss with the filmmakers in attendance that do Q & A’s
after screenings. Who knows, maybe they’ll take you up on that drink offer after the
screening. It doesn’t hurt to ask.
8. Final Thoughts
As a student filmmaker in Chicago I’m trying to take advantage of
everything this city has to offer in terms of film and entertainment. I’ve
seen many great films at festivals like these and met some really insightful
individuals in the industry. Networking is key to move forward in this
business. Film festivals above all else represent the chance for movie
lovers in general the opportunity to see different types of films you might
never see in your local theater. Film is an art and deserves to be seen as
such. Local filmmakers draw from what they know; it plays a big part for
the city and culture they group up in to share with friends, family, and
everyone else that gives them a chance. Student filmmakers should look
to expand their knowledge not only by watching festival films but talking to
the people that made them.
