Festival encourages young aspiring filmmakers

Debbie Venezia knows that the raw filmmaking talent is out there waiting to be found, and she is hoping that she can play a part in that discovery.

"If I can do anything to stimulate the students and put them on the road to finding their dream, then that's what I would like to do," Venezia said.

Venezia, of Glen Ellyn, is founder and executive director of the After Hours Film Society, the almost 20-year- old organization that boasts a membership of more than 1,000 devotees of film.

According to Venezia, her film nights draw hundreds of people on a regular basis to the Tivoli Theater in Downers Grove.

She is sponsoring the After Hours Film Society sixth annual Short Film and Video Festival for Students in order to recognize and promote the talent and effort of student filmmakers.

The competition is open to full- or part-time students of any age and will be juried by film professionals chosen for their experience and appreciation for originality.

Cash prizes will be awarded and winners will have the thrill of seeing the film on the big screen at a special program in October.

Venezia is aware that in schools, when there are funding shortfalls, art subjects are the first to be cut. That can be discouraging for a creative student.

"If people want to make a living in the arts they can," Venezia said.

The After Hours Film Society had a humble beginning. In 1989, Venezia was a film enthusiast who would regularly head to Chicago to the Music Box Theatre to see independent and foreign art films.

"I was disappointed there was no such venue in the suburbs," she said.

At the encouragement of her brother, she put up a flier in the now-closed Hinsdale Theater to start a film society, and was encouraged the first night when 40 people showed up.

"That indicated to me that there was hope," Venezia said.

Now, using the venue of the elegantly restored and historic Tivoli Theater at 5021 Highland Ave. in Downers Grove, and with the films shown on the glorious full-size screen, the society draws a big crowd.

"Our average attendance is 500 people on a Monday night," Venezia said. "People come from all over to see our screenings."

The group usually meets the second and fourth Monday of each month. Many of the regular attendees make it a social evening.

"A lot of people meet for dinner beforehand," Venezia said.

The film to be screened at 7:30 p.m. Monday is "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly." Venezia selects the films to be shown based on a variety of factors. She looks for films that are controversial, thought-provoking, have had good reviews and that aren't going to be found at the local megaplex.

After the film, there is time for refreshments and discussion. She has had guest discussion leaders like Daily Herald Film Critic Dann Gire.

In addition to acting as executive director of the film society, Venezia is also the executive director of the Naperville Fine Art Center and Gallery and chairman of the Riverwalk Fine Art Fair.

In the past, the Student Short Film and Video Festival has seen entries of aspiring filmmakers from within the community, but also from all over the world. Venezia hopes the competition will encourage that creativity to be brought to light.

"A lot of students have artistic ability and creativity and something to say," Venezia said. "I want to encourage them in any way I can."

Entries must be 30 minutes or less and submitted on half-inch VHS or DVD by June 30, with a $20 entry fee, to After Hours Film Society, P.O. Box 3534, Glen Ellyn, IL 60138-3534.

For details or an entry application, visit www.afterhoursfilmsociety.com or call (630) 534-4528.