Geneva Film Festival expects more than 1,000

When we think of the silver screen, distinct and beautiful people come to mind, often wearing capes. They speak in clipped phrases. They smoke cigarettes. Sometimes, the cigarette dangles, the eyes catch in a Romeo-to-Juliet stare, and the heart skips. A car chase ensues. A building explodes. What are movies after all, but life re-imagined at a heightened pulse?

But there is another side to moviemaking that is less about pretty people blowing things up and more about story and character. For a celebration of independent cinema, look no further than Kane County this weekend.

Starting Thursday, the Geneva Film Festival begins its eighth, and likely most popular, year. In 2013, about 500 people came out. Last year, it was more than 600. This year, executive director Scott Rolf expects more than 1,000 people will come to see new films, such as Jefferson Stein's "Tumble Dry Low," an affecting, seven-minute meditation on loss about a single father and his daughter.

The festival continues through Saturday at Shodeen's Dodson Place, 416 S. Second St. The festival showcases 33 entrants representing 13 countries and including various genres: Feature-length documentaries and narrative films, short documentaries and narrative films, animated shorts, and student films. Previously, only five or six filmmakers attended. This year, that number has jumped to 15.

Thursday is "Student Night." Students get in for $5 or $10 and receive a free T-shirt while supplies last. There is a "VIP Taste of Geneva" at 5 p.m. Friday before the screenings. Christine Dudley, director of the Illinois Film Office, is expected to attend. Tickets are $40 or $75 per couple. On Saturday there is a Filmmakers Roundtable at 9 a.m., open to anyone with an all-festival pass or $5 at the door. Fifteen filmmakers are expected to attend and talk about what it's like to make a film. The festival concludes at 9:30 p.m. Saturday with "It's a Wrap Party," which is open to all attendees. For details, visit genevafilmfestival.org.

Rolf, a cinematographer who shot visual effects for "The Dark Knight" and "Transformers: Dark of the Moon," has worked for the festival in some capacity for the last six years.

"We've already sold four times (the number of tickets) online that we did last year," he said. "We're actually worried that some shows may be sold out, which we've never had to worry about."

Ninety-two submissions were screened by a three-person panel. The addition of a third screen this year will allow many of the films to be shown twice, Rolf said.

Entrants include feature-length narrative films like "Teenage Ghost Punk," a supernatural romantic comedy, and "Cotton," which focuses on a reluctant faith healer.

"Teenage Ghost Punk" tells the story of a family who move into an old house that they soon find out is haunted by the ghost of a punk rocker named Brian. The film was shot in Oak Park at an 1888 Victorian house.

"This is an art house movie you can take your 12-year-old to and your 12-year-old will thank you for it," director Mike Cramer said.

"Cotton," starring Hollywood veteran Gary Cole, is about a reluctant faith healer who is trying to escape his past. The movie deals with issues of faith and family. Writer/director Marty Madden said the film packs some terrific performances and that it ultimately is about "choosing your family."

The Geneva Film Festival is also hosting the only Midwest screenings of the Emerging Cinematographer Awards. These are an additional 10 films being shown along with the 33 entrants. The awards, which provide a forum for emerging cinematographers, are chosen by a group of judges from all over the country.

Rolf said he is excited with entertainment being offered this year. And with more volunteers than years past, they have been able to do more.

"Most people walk away pretty happy and surprised," he said. "And that's how we've been able to grow. At some point we're going to be a thing."