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'D.I.N.K.s' poised for the win?

<b>Methinks it's 'DINKS'</b>

Robert Alaniz's independent comedy "D.I.N.K.s" - starring several Northwest suburban actors - will compete in the Best Comedy category at the Illinois International Film Festival this weekend at the Viaduct Theater, Chicago.

Maura Locke Antas of Wheaton, Blake Buczkiewicz of Huntley, Sharon Dalla Costa of Winfield, Jack Guasta of Glendale Heights and Cassie Olson of Hoffman Estates play key roles in the comedy, all about a childless couple in fictional Legacy, Ill., where the two become targets of discrimination by couples who have children.

"D.I.N.K.s" (double income, no kids) will be shown at 1 p.m. Saturday. Chicago producer/director/writer Robert Alaniz and members of his crew and cast will be on hand after the show for a Q&A.

"It's an honor to be nominated for best comedy," Alaniz told me this week. "To win would be even sweeter!"

Also in the festival is "The Catastrophe," a nominee for best dramatic short by Michael Glover Smith, a film studies instructor at Oakton Community College in Des Plaines. It screens at 3 p.m. Saturday.

Tickets cost $10 at the door. Go to illlinoisinternationalfilmfestival.com for schedules and other info. The fest begins at 1:30 p.m. Friday and ends with an awards program Sunday afternoon.

<b>'Twilight' questions</b>

Dear Stephenie Meyer: Who came up with the silly title "Breaking Dawn"? When day breaks, it's called "dawn." Dawn doesn't break. It's the word meaning the act of day break. Is there any way you can request a tuition refund from Brigham Young University where you majored in English?

Also, I'm curious. Do you seriously think that the happy couple, Edward and Bella, make good pitchmen in commercials for Volvo cars? As in, "Buy a Volvo! The driving choice of parents with half-vampire/half-human kids!"

Just wondering.

<b>'Make Believe' it! </b>

Ordinarily, we wouldn't get excited over a free movie about teen magicians at Niles West High School in Skokie. But "Make Believe" stars Bill Koch, who went to Wheeling High School and is the son of the Niles West band director (and Prospect Heights resident) William Koch. (I know, what a coincidence!)

"Make Believe" is a doc all about Bill and five other teens competing to become the No. 1 teen magician in the world. It will be shown at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Niles West, 5701 Oakton St., Skokie.

Hey, there'll be a Q&A session following the movie, too. Tricks and treats, I say.

<b>Meet me at Munger</b>

If you're a member of Daily Herald Subscriber Total Access and you make reservations in advance, you're invited to be my guest at a free showing of the thriller "Munger Road" 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Elk Grove Cinema, 1050 Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights.

The horror tale was filmed right here in Barlett, St. Charles and other local communities last year around the annual Scarecrow festival in St. Charles. I'll be your host.

But there's more. St. Charles resident Nicholas Smith, writer/director for "Munger Road," will join me onstage for a brief chat and a Q&A with the audience.

And that could be you if you contact staevents@dailyherald.com and get your name on our list. Tickets are very limited, so email now.

<i>Daily Herald film critic Dann Gire's column runs Fridays in Time out!</i>