Reel life: Elgin shows its shorts
The 8th annual Elgin Short Film Festival rolls into the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin, with six finalists being shown, starting at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 24. The traditional red carpet arrivals begin at 6:15 p.m.
Three films from each of two categories - live action and animation - will compete for the top prize of $1,000 and trophies from R.S. Owens, the company that makes the Oscar statuettes.
This year, filmmakers from Cyprus, Spain and Turkey, as well as the United States, submitted movies for consideration in the festival. Tickets cost $7 and can be purchased at the box office, at hemmens.org or at (847) 931-5900.
Wilmette theater gets arty
The Wilmette Theatre will celebrate Art House Theatre Weekend with special programs running Friday, Sept. 23, through Sunday, Sept. 25, at the theater, 1122 Central Ave., Wilmette.
The special programs include the Manhattan Short Film Festival, the Asian Pop Up Cinema Film Series and a screening of the 1949 Oscar-winning best picture, "All The King's Men."
The three-day event also features Terry Gilliam's underrated fantasy gem "Time Bandits," along with the Chicago classic "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" shown during a special fundraising night Saturday, Sept. 24, for the not-for-profit Wilmette Theatre. Go to wilmettetheatre.com for schedules and tickets.
• Dann Gire's column runs Friday in Time out!