13th annual Imago Film Festival exploring faith and hope
The 13th annual Imago Film Festival April 4-8 will offer an intriguing sampling of independent films that use image and story to explore faith and ethics and the journey from brokenness to hope.
That is just the right formula for these film shorts that range from 2 to 30 minutes in length and explore themes as varied as refugees and redemption to love and war. The films will be shown Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday during the festival, starting at 7 p.m. in the Thulin Performance Hall in the Thompson Center, 1151 N. State St., Elgin. Winning filmmakers will be awarded money prizes following a Red Carpet Celebration on Saturday, April 8, in Herrick Chapel.
Each year, the festival attracts domestic and foreign film entries, but this year more than half of all submissions came from other countries. "This year is the first in which our international submissions greatly outnumber our submissions from this country," said Imago Film Festival Director Dr. Terry Wandtke. "We'd like to think that this says something about our growing prominence as a festival."
Get a sneak peek of the featured short film submissions to be screened during the festival, starting at 7 p.m.:
<h3 class="leadin">Tuesday, April 4: </h3>
"The Key," Matt Bilen, USA (narrative) - 16 min.; "The Chop," Lewis Rose, UK (narrative) - 17 min.; "Sea Wine" Ken Yoshida, Japan (narrative) - 15 min.; "Life Coach," Letica Akel, Chile/USA (narrative) - 7 min.; "A New Home," Ziga Virc, Slovenia (narrative) 14 min.; "Tiny's New Home," Justin Hayword, USA (narrative) - 7 min.; "The Next Door," Barrett Burgin, USA (narrative) - 34 min.; "A Passion of Gold and Fire," Sebastien Pines, Belgium (documentary) - 6 min.; "1+1," Ruben Pacheco, Spain (narrative) - 7 min.
<h3 class="leadin">Wednesday, April 5: </h3>
"Bruce," Adam Etheridge, UK (narrative) - 14 min.; "One Word," Caleb Shaffer, UK (narrative) - 17 min.; "Red Light," Toma Waszarow, Bulgaria/Croatia (narrative) - 21 min.
<h3 class="leadin">Thursday, April 6: </h3>
"Shards of the Heart," Briana Arambula, USA (narrative) - 14 min.; "My Life I Don't Want," Nyan Kyal Say, Myanmar (animated/experimental) - 11 min.; "Dear Brother," Daniel Skubal, USA (narrative) - 14 min.; "Darrel," Marc Briones Piulachs, Spain (animated/narrative) - 3 min.; "Hartom," Arkus Arkus, United Arab Emirates (documentary) - 11 min.; "Titan," Alicia Ganzalez, Spain (narrative) - 12 min.; "(Otto)," Job, Joris, & Marieke, Netherlands (animated/narrative) - 10 min.
On Friday, April 7, at 7 p.m. in Herrick Chapel, there will be a special premiere showing of Affirm Films' new release, "All Saints."
Affirm Films' Executive Vice President Rich Peluso will be on hand to introduce this film based on the true story of an Episcopal pastor, portrayed by John Corbett, who was told to close his rundown church but instead served as a host to Burmese refugees. Peluso also will sit for a friendly Q&A session.
On Saturday, April 8, the festival's award-winning films will be shown again, following the popular Red Carpet Celebration event, which starts at 5:30 p.m. in Herrick Chapel.
Come out and support the Imago Film Festival. Get a festival pass for $20 for the week or $12 for Judson students, staff and faculty. Ticket information and a full festival schedule can be found at www.imagofilmfestival.com.