Elgin Short Film Festival celebrates its 10th anniversary Sept. 22
The Elgin Short Film Festival is returning for its 10th year!
This special anniversary event is taking place on Saturday, Sept. 22, at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way in Elgin.
The ESFF has drawn film entries from around the world making this an impressive event that has entertained film lovers since 2009.
The fabulous and always witty Mike Toomey, a regular performer on the WGN Morning News, will again bring his comedic talents as master of ceremonies to present this year's finalists.
Winners will be selected by a panel of celebrity judges, and audience members will cast their votes for their favorite film.
The audience vote has had an impact on who has won in previous years. In other words, your vote does count!
Awards and monetary prizes will be presented to the top three films.
The top six films will be shown in the intimate 1,200-seat theater of the Hemmens Cultural Center using their new HD laser projector. Beginning at 6 p.m. the filmmakers and judges will walk and be interviewed on the red carpet before entering The Hemmens Cultural Center. The film screening starts at 7 p.m.
Chamber Music on the Fox returns to the festival to present a live chamber performance to premier a new piece by composer Steven Ingle that will accompany the screening of the 1902 French adventure silent film "A Trip to the Moon."
The ESFF features a live action category and an animation category.
Next In Finalists
ESFF is excited to be part of the Elgin Fringe Festival again this year as audiences select the "Next In Finalists."
The top two selected films in each category, as voted on by the selection committee, will automatically make the finals.
The next three selected films in each category will be screened as part of the Elgin Fringe Festival on Sept. 13-14 (www.elginfringefestival.com).
The film in each category receiving the most Fringe Fest audience votes will be included for Festival presentation. For the past two years, the Fringe Festival audience voted for the last two films that made it into the finals and each won first prize!
• 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.
Follow regular updates at www.facebook.com/elginshortfilm or go to www.hemmens.org/annualfilmfestival.
As you can see it will be a great evening. Come on out and grab a seat and a drink, enjoy ice cream by Cooks, and some gourmet popcorn by Mama Lee's, all sold in the lobby before the show and at intermission.
Tickets to the Elgin Short Film Festival (including chamber performance and red carpet reception) are $10 and may be purchased at the Hemmens box office, online at www.hemmens.org or by phone (847) 931-5900.
The Hemmens Cultural Center is easily accessible from I-90. Parking is free.