Lake Forest College grad debuts film

Lake Forest College graduate Matt Helderman is premiering his first feature film, “The Alumni Chapter,” at 8 p.m. today at the Portage Theater, 4050 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago.

Doors open at 6 p.m. for a preshow party.

The 23-year-old filmmaker had to make some sacrifices to finance his low-budget film. Mainly, he sold a lot of his personal belongings.

“I'm not a huge person for things,” Helderman said during a phone interview. “I guess selling a large portion of my film collection was pretty difficult. I had about 500 DVDs to start with. I'm now down to maybe 80 or so.”

“The Alumni Chapter” chronicles what happens to several former college friends who meet and examine their lives, their disappointments, disillusionments and hopes.

Helderman, an ardent Woody Allen and Wes Anderson buff, described his movie as something like a “St. Elmo's Fire” for the 21st century.

For information, call (773) 736-4050 or go to thealumnichapter.com.