Submit your short film for Elgin film festival

Submitted by The Hemmens Cultural Center

The Elgin Short Film Festival is returning for its fourth year. This unique event will take place Saturday, Sept. 22, at The Hemmens Cultural Center in downtown Elgin. Filmmakers are invited to submit their short films. 20 minutes or less in length, including credits, for competition in this festival.

The Elgin Short Film Festival consistently draws high-quality film entries from professional and semiprofessional filmmakers from around the country. This competition is open to all filmmakers to submit work, even if it has been entered into other festival competitions. Films in any genre and subject matter will be accepted. See competition guidelines for more information.

The adroit and witty Mike Toomey, a regular performer on the WGN Morning News, will again bring his comedic talents as master of ceremonies to present the top five films. Winners will be selected by a panel of judges, and audience members will cast their votes for their favorite film. Awards and monetary prizes will be presented to the top three films.

The Top Five Films will be shown in the intimate 1,200-seat theater of The Hemmens Cultural Center Saturday, Sept. 22.

Thirty-second trailers of all submitted films will be shown in a montage during the awards ceremony as well as at Elgin’s “Next Wave” Art Salon, a radically inclusive, two-day event that brings together artists of all different backgrounds and mediums in a “found space” in downtown Elgin.

A special “People’s Choice” award will be presented based solely on audience votes.

Awards and monetary prizes will be presented to the top three films.

All interested filmmakers are encouraged to apply and experience the art of short cinema at The Hemmens Cultural Center. The deadline to submit films is Aug. 17. For a complete list of rules and regulations, and to download an application, go to www.hemmens.org/annualfilmfestival and follow regular updates on Facebook. For any further information or questions, call The Hemmens Box Office at (847) 931-5900.

General admission tickets to the film screening are $5 and can be purchased at The Hemmens box office, at www.hemmens.org or call (847) 931-5900. The Hemmens Cultural Center is at the corner of Symphony Way and North Grove Avenue, Elgin. Parking is free.