Hemmens to host Elgin Short Film Festival

Submitted by Elgin Short Film Festival

Applications are due Wednesday, Aug. 17, for filmmakers to enter into the third annual Elgin Short Film Festival.

This event takes place Saturday, Sept. 17, at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way in downtown Elgin.

Entries can only be up to 20 minutes long, including credits. This competition will allow any filmmaker to submit work, even if it has been entered into other festival competitions. Films in every genre and subject matter are encouraged, as long as they are within the scope of the official rules.

Sponsored by the Hemmens Cultural Center Advisory Board, the ESFF planning committee is co-chaired this year by advisory members Rich Jacobs and Joe Vassallo. The committee is adding new elements to this event that offer better benefits for participating filmmakers.

All eligible films will be shown at Elgin’s “The Next Wave” Art Salon Sept. 9-10. “The Next Wave” Art Salon is an inclusive, two-day event that brings together artists of all different backgrounds and mediums in a “found space” in downtown Elgin that attracted more than 2,000 people in 2010.

The committee has added a “People’s Choice” award that is based solely on audience voting taking place at “The Next Wave.”

The top finalists selected by a preliminary panel of judges will be treated to a red carpet arrival on the night of the festival.

Film Fest judges will include Dann Gire, Daily Herald film critic, and Frank Maugeri, artistic director of Redmoon Theater, among others.

The top finalists will be shown in the 1,200-seat theater of the Hemmens Cultural Center Saturday evening. The first prize is $1,000, plus trophy; second prize is $500, plus trophy; and third prize is $300, plus trophy.

For a complete list of rules and regulations or to download an application, visit www.hemmens.org/annualfilmfestival and follow regular updates on Facebook.

For details, call The Hemmens at (847) 931-5900.