Film fans check out Palatine's Blue Whiskey fest

When Fremd High School grad Michael Noens founded the Blue Whiskey Independent Film Festival four years ago, his mission was to present the Chicago area with riveting and creative independent films from across the globe with one thing in common: a strong, powerful story.

Film enthusiasts are getting just that.

By the time the festival wraps up Sunday, more than 30 shorts and feature-length films will have been screened at the Cutting Hall Performing Arts Center, 150 E. Wood St., Palatine.

Most are followed by a Q-and-A session with the director, either in-person or via Skype to countries including France and Norway.

“We've been getting a bit more attention and a bigger crowd than in the past,” marketing director Ashley Alysa France said. “We passed out 3,000 programs in the community and in Chicago, so word is getting out.”

For more information about the Blue Whiskey Independent Film Festival and tickets, call (847) 202-5229 or visit bwiff.com. And be sure to check out our Time Out! section.