Hemmens directs talent to film fest

Elgin leaders hope a festival of short films in September will have a long-term effect for the city and Hemmens Cultural Center.

"The goal of the Elgin Short Film Festival is to showcase local and regional talent in the art of filmmaking while bringing awareness to this marvelous facility," said Peter Garlock, member of the Hemmens advisory board and sales director for the Elgin Area Visitors and Convention Bureau.

Hemmens officials hatched the idea last fall after the city axed the facility's programming director to save money. City leaders on Tuesday said it would be a good way to reintroduce people to the downtown area and to work toward cementing Elgin as an arts destination.

"This is another page in our catalog of arts offerings," said Elgin Mayor Ed Schock. "We've been working to establish Elgin as a regional center for the arts precisely because we have so many talented people within our community."

The one-night event on Saturday, Sept. 26 will screen five 20-minute films on a new projector that will produce movie-theater quality images on a 20-foot by 30-foot screen.

"Any genre is welcome as long as it adheres to the MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America) standards of a PG-type rating," Garlock said. "In other words, it's going to be a family event."

Dean Richards, an entertainment reporter for WGN and AM 720, will emcee and serve as part of a panel of judges.

The one-night event is presented by the city of Elgin and the Hemmens Cultural Center and sponsored by the Palmer Foundation, the city's Cultural Arts Commission and Fox Valley Beaux Arts.

The first place prize is $1,000. Second place is $500, third is $300 and $100 each for fourth and fifth place. A special "Hattie Hemmens Award" of $500 will go to the film that best portrays the city of Elgin.

Entries are due Tuesday, Sept. 1 and the fee is $40. A panel of judges will review them and select the top five for the big night.