Naperville rolls out the red carpet for indie films
With music videos typically relegated to the overnight hours on MTV, Naperville Independent Film Festival organizers are determined to make them cool again.
The fourth annual Naperville Independent Film Festival runs Saturday, Sept. 17, to Saturday, Sept. 24, at several venues around the city. The event will feature 87 entries by filmmakers from around the world and appearances by celebrity guests.
New this year is a judging category for music videos and the screening of several videos Wednesday and Friday, Sept. 21 and 23.
“Who says music videos are dead? Not us,” said fest Executive Director Edmond Coisson. “We believe music videos are a true art form that combines several skills. Those will be showcased this year in our new category.”
This year's event begins with a somber opening night featuring a documentary about Memorial Day 2011 and a screening of “The Triangle of Death,” a documentary about the war in Iraq during the transition from a dictatorship to a democracy, directed by Marine Folleh Shar Tamba.
Both documentaries will be shown at Classic Cinemas, 1227 E. Ogden Ave. At 9 p.m., the rock band AVM is scheduled to liven up the party with a live performance at Center Stage Theater, 1665 Quincy Ave.
“AVM is a very famous band known for their top of the line music videos,” Coisson said. “We had to have them performing on opening night to celebrate our new music video category.”
Tickets range from $10 to $25 for opening night festivities.
Throughout the week, movie lovers will be able to check out 79 films and eight music videos that were vetted from about 140 submissions from the United States and abroad, including screenplays. While many of the films aren't the style or quality most moviegoers expect, Coisson and his wife, Glessna, said this year's submissions are among the best in the fest's three-year history.
“We didn't know what to expect due to the economy and several other factors, but many of these are great,” Coisson said. “It's truly amazing all the things you can do with a camera that you buy for $150 and a dedicated heart.”
Many of the filmmakers will be on hand throughout the festival to discuss the pieces they created.
Coisson, who dreams of eventually opening a film school and screening theater, said he believes the guest filmmakers and instructional sessions hosted throughout the fest are what have propelled the Naperville event.
“The filmmakers, the directors and the stars show up when they can and let you into their heads and thought processes during Q-and-A sessions after the screenings,” Coisson said.
Films will be shown from 7 p.m. to midnight Saturday through Friday at Ogden 6 Classic Cinemas, 1227 E. Ogden Ave., and 7:30 to midnight in Wentz Concert Hall's Madden Theater, 171 E. Chicago Ave.
Tickets to the screenings are $5, or $10 for an all-day pass, and are available at the door.
The Coissons and Daniel Nigg started the event four years ago with Gary Pradel. The event is presented by Pradel's nonprofit organization, the Arthur Ray Foundation.
Aspiring screenwriters can take in two seminars by screenwriting mentor Dan Decker scheduled for the morning and afternoon of Saturday, Sept. 24.
The week culminates in an Awards Gala from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Sept. 24 at Hollywood Palms, 352 S. Route 59, and a 9 p.m. wrap party at Center Stage Theater.
Filmmakers will be vying for 10 awards, including best feature film, short subject, animation, music video and screenplay.
The red carpet also will be out for several celebrities who will be on hand to help celebrate. Guests are expected to include Proviso West alumnus Robert Z'Dar, best know for his work in “Tango and Cash” and “Maniac Cop.” Larry Thomas and Dan Aykroyd also are scheduled to appear, with Aykroyd presenting the best actor award.
Tickets for the closing ceremony at Hollywood Palms are $50 each and include dinner. Tickets for the wrap party at Center Stage are $25
For a full schedule of films and tickets to each venue, visit naperfilmfest.org.
If you go
What: Naperville Independent Film Festival
When: Saturday, Sept. 17, through Saturday, Sept. 24
Where: Ogden 6 Classic Cinemas, 1227 E. Ogden Ave., and Madden Theater in Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave.
Cost: $5 per screening, $10 for all-day passes; $10 to $25 for opening night; $50 for awards ceremony; $25 for wrap party
Info: naperfilmfest.org