First Tuesdays with The Midwest Independent Film Festival continue on Tuesday, August 3rd at Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema, 2828 North Clark beginning at 6 p.m. A post-screening reception will be held immediately following the film at Forno Diablo, 433 West Diversey. The Midwest Independent Film Festival is the nation’s only film festival solely dedicated to the Midwest filmmaker, presenting audiences with regionally produced independent cinema every first Tuesday of the month at Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema, 2828 North Clark in Chicago. This year-round film festival sits proudly at the center of the independent film scene in Chicago and the Midwest and is dedicated to celebrating and strengthening that community. More information can be found on the Festival website: www.MidwestFilm.org.

The Winning entry receives cash prize and will premiere at the 2010 Chicago International Film Festival!

The Illinois Film Office today launched its third annual Shortcuts contest. Shortcuts is a statewide short film competition designed to encourage growth in Illinois’ film industry. The competition is open to all Illinois residents over the age of 18 and students over the age of 18 who attend Illinois colleges and universities. The winning entry will receive a cash prize and the winning film will screen during the Chicago International Film Festival.

“Shortcuts is another avenue for up-and-coming Illinois filmmakers to showcase their talent and gain greater exposure. At the same time, it provides the film office with another great tool for promoting Illinois’ exceptional film industry,” said Illinois Film Office Managing Director Betsy Steinberg. “I encourage filmmakers of all levels of experience to participate in this year’s competition, which we anticipate will be bigger and better than ever.”

Participants may use any format – film, video, graphics and/or animation – to tell a narrative story, a documentary or free form visual expression of ideas. Submissions must be 15 minutes or less in running time. Entries will be judged by a panel of film industry professionals. Submissions must be postmarked by August 31st, 2010.

Additional contest rules and details can be found at www.illinoisfilm.biz.

Over the last few years, Illinois’ film industry has enjoyed record spending in the state with such films as “The Dark Knight,” “Public Enemies,” and “The Informant.” The state is already seeing positive momentum in 2010 with a number of TV pilots and movies in the works.

The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is dedicated to advancing Illinois’ reputation as a world-class film destination. The Illinois Film Office (IFO), a division of DCEO, promotes and markets the state as an ideal shooting location for films, television shows and commercials. The IFO also promotes and encourages the training and hiring of Illinois residents who represent the diversity of the state’s population.