from July 14, 2005

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Tera Dunlap in “Chicago Poems”

GERARD JAMROZ’ Dogme-style black and white digital feature “Chicago Poems” has its local premiere July 14 at the Lakeshore Theater.

“Chicago Poems” tells the intertwining stories of three couples, including a boxer, a theater director and a soldier stationed in Iraq. Jamroz said it was the first film to shoot in Millennium Park.

Writer/director/composer Jamroz produced with Paul Miller through Lincolnhead Productions. Jamroz stars with Diane Hren, Robert Tobin, Tera Dunlap, Laura Donnely and Phil Wasek.

Jamroz wrote, directed and starred in “Valerie Loves Me” at Stage Left Theater, and co-produced, acted in and scored the Dogme feature “Converging with Angels.”

“Chicago Poems” screens at 8 p.m. at the Lakeshore Theater, 3175 N. Broadway. $10. See www.chicagopoems.com.

FOR THE FIRST TIME the Chicago/L.A. Actors/Writers/Filmmakers Conference comes to town Oct. 13-17, during the 41st Chicago International Film Festival. The Conference, created by former Chicago talent agent Debbie Durkin features some of L.A.’s top successes in each of the categories. Ranging from an intense weekend to five days, the Conference will meet at John Manning’s photo studio, 416 N. Clark St. Details to come.

Cassandra Finney

BRANDON FINNEY’S debut feature “A Lover for My Husband,” shot here and in Los Angeles, was released on DVD by Ground-Zero. Cassandra Finney, Brandon’s co-producer and wife, stars as a woman who orchestrates a partner-swapping arrangement to resuscitate her marriage. “A Lover for My Husband” won best romantic comedy at the New York Independent Film and Video Festival. See www.aloverformyhusband.com.

THE LOW DOWN on how to apply for a low interest loan from Lights, Camera, Illinois!—the treasurer's program to aid filmmakers' make their movie in Illinois—will be detailed by program administrator Chuck Hagopian at the July 20 IPA meeting. Producers Neil Luspo and William Pierce will tell how they obtained their $300,000 to fund their latest indie film. At 1104 S. Wabash, room 302, 6:30 p.m., $10, IFP members free.

CHICAGO FINAL CUT PRO USER GROUP'S special guests for its July 27 meeting will be SmartSound's Stephanie Joyce and Combustion training specialist Kenneth La Rue.

Joyce will demonstrate SmartSound’s Sonic Fire Pro that allows royalty-free music soundtracks for video, and also allows bringing in outside music and importing music you create.

LaRue will introduce Combustion 4, an all-in-one professional compositing application from Autodesk Media & Entertainment. A $5 raffle for valuable equipment follows the meeting. Guests welcome for a $5 donation. At the Adler Planetarium, 6:15 p.m.

IFP/CHICAGO PROPOSALS ACCEPTED for the 2006 Production Fund that provides grants upwards of $100,000 in donated equipment, film stock, postproduction and other services to enable an IFP/Chicago member to complete his short film project. Deadline, Sept. 26.

Applicants must be IFP/Chicago members and the film must be shot in the Midwest region. The Midwest is defined as Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio and Wisconsin.

The Production Fund and other grants, plus free screenings, helpful seminars and the annual conference are good reasons to invest $85 to join IFP/Chicago. See www.ifp.org.

THE LAKE COUNTY FILM FESTIVAL is now accepting submissions for the 3rd Annual Festival to be held March 2-5, 2006. Deadline is Dec. 20. See www.lakecountyfilmfest.com .

REELING: 2005, the 24th Chicago Lesbian and Gay International Film Festival is seeking entries of all lengths and genres from now until July 22. Festival takes place November 3-10, 2005. Call Patrick Friel at 773/293-1447 or Email programming@chicagofilmmakers.org. See www.reelingfilmfestival.org.

41ST CHICAGO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL is accepting entries including Docufest and Intercom. Early deadline July 25, late deadline Aug. 10. Call 312/683-0121, Email pbajorat@chicagofilmfestival.com. See www.chicagofilmfestival.com.

BLACK HARVEST INTERNATIONAL FILM/VIDEO FESTIVAL presented by the Gene Siskel Film Center runs Aug. 4-24. Scheduled are 25-plus new productions, including Chicago-made indie films. Many personal appearances by directors, actors, and other creative personnel accompany the screenings.

Opening night Thursday, Aug. 4 includes presentation of the festival’s annual Deloris Jordan Award for Excellence in Community Leadership. Target hosts the post-screening party. See at See www.siskelfilmcenter.org or call 312/846-2800. —Ed M. Koziarski

Ed M. Koziarski is co-director of the feature film “The First Breath of Tengan Rei”. Email:

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