Sequel likely for Naperville film festival

The Naperville Independent Film Festival already is planning for a sequel next year.

Organizers still are counting tickets and paying bills from the four-day event that ended Saturday, but say they are pleased with the inaugural effort.

"We got a lot of positive feedback and a lot of people were happy enough with it to believe it's something that will continue to go on in Naperville for years to come," co-founder Gary Pradel said Tuesday.

Pradel organized the festival along with Naperville filmmakers Edmond and Glessna Coisson.

The festival featured 107 films from around the world, including features, documentaries and shorts. In addition to the films, experts held workshops to give advice about the industry and filmmakers participated in panel discussions about their movies.

Several celebrities also made appearances, including actresses Karen Black and Kay Panabaker and actor David Proval.

Organizers hope to have a firmer grasp on ticket sales in coming weeks.

"At each venue it didn't seem like there were very many people but we had so many venues and so many events going on it actually did total to a large amount," Pradel said.

He estimates about 250 to 300 people attended Family Matinee Day on Sept. 27 for special activities geared toward children.

Later that night, organizers handed out 13 trophies to the top filmmakers and actors. Pradel said one of the highlights for him was being able to give a trophy to his father, Mayor George Pradel, who has supported the event from its inception.

Gary Pradel and the Coissons spent 18 months planning the festival and are welcoming feedback so they can improve it for next year.

"It went by so fast yet it feels like it took such a long time to get there because of prep that went from zero to 100," Edmond Coisson said. "Now we have the foundation and logistics laid down."

He would like the event to be longer and also would likely eliminate the morning movie showings next year.

Gary Pradel said he would also like to do more marketing for the festival and use venues that are closer to each other so people can move easily between them.

Proceeds from the festival will go to Gary Pradel's nonprofit group, the Arthur Ray Foundation, which uses art and technology to help others.