FOR THE 5TH YEAR, the Illinois Film Office is sponsoring its annual Shortcuts Short Film Contest that is open to Illinoisans 18 years old and older. Basic requirements: All genres welcome (narrative, doc, live or animated) and no film longer than 15 minutes. Industry experts will serve as judges. Deadline is Aug. 31.
Last year’s statewide contest netted 26 entries statewide and gave the winner, film director Scott Smith, the total $650 received from the entry fees as the cash prize. Keep watching the IFO’s website for the online posting of contest’s rules and application forms.
“BOSS” UPM JOSH THRONE is the Producers Panel can’t-miss interviewee at Tuesday night’s Midwest Independent Film Festival. The world premiere of the Illinois-made drama, “Lac Du Flambeau,” is the feature presentation.
It stars Stephen Louis Grush (“Chicago Code,” “Detroit 187”), Meredith Droeger (“Extraordinary Measures,” “Last Rites of Joe May”) and Steppenwolf ensemble member Robert Breuler (“Prison Break,” “The Crucible”).
Writer/director Mark McNess Rosengren, producer Cannon Kinnard, cinematographer Michael Kwielford, actors Meredith Droeger and Kirk Anderson confirmed for post-premiere discussion with the audience.
At the Landmark Century Centre Cinema, 2828 N. Broadway, starting with a preshow reception at 6 p.m.; Producers Panel, 6:30 and screening at 7:30.
WE HEAR there’s a possibility an independent owner will install a recording studio at Cinespace. Although the studio would operate on behalf of the owner’s recording business, it’d be a great Cinespace service to have a recording facility available for entertainment projects that film at there.
YES, YOU CAN HAVE UNION ACTORS in your next ultra low budget indie feature. To show producers how to ply this magic, a March 13 workshop presented by AFTRA/SAG will explains the fine print in union ultra low budget contracts and other low budget agreements.
The workshop will be held at the Kaufherr Resource Center in the union offices at 1 E. Erie, from 5-7:30 p.m. Space is limited, so RSVP by Friday, March 9 to Kathy Byrne, kbyrne@aftra.com the unions’ contracts expert who will lead the workshop,
A CHICAGO GUEST at the solidly booked Windy City West party Monday night is Alderman Margaret Laurino of the 39th Ward. What takes her to L.A.? In addition to business, she will visit her son, up-and-coming actor son, John Hundreiser, who makes his first TV appearance in the April 15 episode of “CSI: Miami.”
THE COLONIE’S BOB ACKERMAN takes the honors for editing Leo Burnett’s new Kellogg’s Special K “Closet Candy,” with the tag, “Women who eat a healthy breakfast actually weigh less.”
Moxie Pictures’ director was Pam Thomas, whom Ackerman praised by saying, “Pam is not only one of the most talented directors I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with, but she’s also one of the nicest people I’ve met.”
TWO PARTIES WILL INTRODUCE their respective company’s expansion. Radar Revamps is the theme of Radar Studios’ “indoor street festival” at Carmichael’s Warehouse, Thursday, March 8 to introduce new directors and meet its staff of directors, special effects artists and editors. Click here to RSVP.
Bridges Media is using a St. Patrick’s Day party, although it’s booked for Thursday, March 15, as a good day for a party to introduce its new The Cavalry video content company. Bridges’ managing partner Christopher Dilillo is The Cavalry’s captain; Christian Robins is partner/chief creative officer and executive producer is Carrie Holecek. RSVP to Carrie@bridgesmedia.tv.
NOLO DIGITAL FILM, the 5-year old color correction and DI company of colorist Mike Matusek, producer Boris Seagraves and editor Joe Flanagan, has moved into the heart of Media Row, on the second floor at 230 E. Ohio St. The company was previously located at 118 N. Peoria.
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