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.

The 17th Chicago Underground Film Festival
June 24 – July 1 2010
The Gene Siskel Film Center

Final Deadline April 1.

For entry forms and guidelines please visit http://www.cuff.org

Since 1994, the Chicago Underground Film Festival has presented the finest in new underground, experimental and documentary film and video. In 2008 the festival entered into a partnership with IFP/Chicago and in 2009 the festival moved to the state of the art Gene Siskel Film Center. 2010 will mark another major change for thefestival as we move from our traditional fall dates to the summer.
What kinds of movies are we looking for? Our mission is to promote films and videos that dissent radically in form, technique, or content from the ‘indie’ mainstream and to present adventurous works that challenge and transcend commercial and audience expectations…if you suspect your film is ‘underground,’ it probably is…

CineYouth Festival

Education. Competition. Inspiration.

Young visionaries let their voices be heard at Cinema/Chicago’s CineYouth Festival. Celebrating its sixth year in 2010, the CineYouth festival showcases and celebrates filmmakers 20 years old and younger.

During the three day Festival, CineYouth provides young filmmakers the opportunity to attend numerous workshops (past workshops include: Screenwriting 101, Bach or Beyonce – Soundtracking Your Film, Am I Gonna Get Sued for This?, Final Cut Editing), film school panels and discussions, and access to industry professionals, all at Columbia College Chicago, the country’s biggest film school.

CineYouth brings filmmakers of all ages and from around the country together to share their work, learn together, and be inspired by each other.

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: May 15, 2010
Visit the website for more information!

FILMMAKERS!
Remy Bumppo Theatre Company is getting ready to host its first ever short film contest: thinkFilmSlam!

This contest is being produced in conjunction to our upcoming Mainstage show, The Island, by Athol Fugard.

The Island tells the story of two men, imprisoned for their political beliefs during the time of South African apartheid.

Film entries should focus on the themes of civil disobedience, the effects of social injustice, faith in solidarity, and the struggle to bring awareness to issues deprecating the human spirit using the conventions of theatre—strong dialogue, limited locations, etc.

Entries submitted for review must be on DVD. Entry formats exhibited at thinkFilmSlam will be DVD. Submission copies will also serve as the screener copies unless the filmmaker specifically requests a change. All films must have a total running time of no less than 3 no more than 5 minutes. Entrants must own the clear copyright to the film, and all materials in the film (including music), or are authorized by the copyright holder to submit the film. Finalists’ films will be available online through the Remy Bumppo website and will be played in the lobby of the Greenhouse Theater during the run of The Island.

A well-written, 25-word synopsis of the basic plot and premise of the work(s), cast and production list and director bio are required with each entry.
Entry forms are available at the Remy Bumppo website at: http://www.remybumppo.org/pages/thinktank/278.php
Deadline for all submissions: Monday, February 1, 2010. Finalists will be announced online Monday, February 15, 2010.
The final contest will be held at Lincoln Hall on Monday, March 1st , starting at 7:30pm. (Doors open at 7:00pm.)

Entry into the thinkFilmSlam is FREE and open to all Chicago area filmmakers. There is a $5.00 admission fee to the screening so that the filmmakers do not have to pay an entry fee! Tell your friends to come support indie film!

Shipping and postage costs for DVDs and any support material to and from Remy Bumppo Theatre Company will be paid by the filmmaker. Remy Bumppo will not accept COD shipments. Drop off hours between 9am – 5pm. Submissions may be addressed to or dropped off at:

thinkFilmSlam c/o Remy Bumppo Theatre Company
3717 N. Ravenswood, Suite 245
Chicago, IL 60613
773 244-8119 or check the Remy Bumppo website, www.remybumppo.org

CALL FOR ENTRIES
Deadline: January 22

The 2010 Talking Pictures Festival invites independent filmmakers to submit their work to its second annual festival competition.

We seek films that are thought-provoking, intriguing, entertaining, vibrant, authentic, artful and informative. From dramatic films to hard-hitting documentaries, comedic shorts, experimental films, or music videos, we invite independent filmmakers to send us their work for consideration. All genres, styles and lengths welcome. Cash awards for winning film entries.

CONTACT:
Ines Sommer
Festival Co-Director

filmvideoforum@yahoo.com

www.talkingpicturesfestival.org
www.percolatorfilms.org

Entry form and more info at:

http://www.talkingpicturesfestival.org

Submit your entry at: http://www.withoutabox.com/login/8776

The Talking Pictures Festival is produced by Percolator Films, a non-profit film organization that also organizes the popular ten-year-old Reeltime film and discussion series.

CALL FOR ENTRIES, 2010 SEASON
Chicago Short Film Brigade seeks short films, videos, and digital works of all genres to be considered for quarterly screenings. We’re an ongoing series open to submissions from directors of all ages and levels of filmmaking experience.

We look for short films of all types, including flukes, epics, first-timers, experimental, animation, dramas, documentaries, music videos, etc.

Each show presents a diverse selection of local and international films as part of a carefully curated, cohesive program. Film Brigade screens ongoing community-based shows for a live audience, bringing uncommon films to the general public.

Awards are given at annual “Best Of” at the Gene Siskel Film Center each year.

Maximum total running time: 25 minutes

Deadline 2/15

Click to submit Without A Box (https://www.withoutabox.com/login/6925)

www.filmbrigade.com

Looking for Democracy: How to Make It, How to Sustain It

Presented by: The Public Square, a program of the Illinois Humanities Council; Independent Television Service (ITVS); Kartemquin Films; IFP/Chicago; Columbia College Television & Film Departments, Chicago Access Network Television; Chicago Short Film Brigade; Critical Encounters: Fact & Faith; and Reeltime Independent Film and Video Forum!

In this historical moment abuzz with potential, many are grappling with the possibilities for change. As we face economic crisis and calls for racial, environmental, and human justice, how are we creating and sustaining democracy?

Do you have an idea for a provocative remix that challenges the concept of ownership or a thought-provoking public service announcement that describes what it means to be green in your ‘hood? Where do you see democracy in your life, where you work, go to school, or in your community? Now is your chance to be radically creative and show the world what democracy, making it and sustaining it, means to you!

Submit a short film to our Looking for Democracy: How to Make It, How to Sustain It 2nd Annual Film Contest. Any genre is fair game: documentary, narrative, experimental, remix, music video, public service announcement, etc.

You can submit more than one video. Videos must be 5 minutes or less in length.

Postmark deadline: Tuesday, December 1st, 2009.

For rules, resources, prizes and submission information please visit www.prairie.org/DemocracyFilmContest, or contact Charlotte King at The Public Square at 312.422.5580 x232 or cak@prairie.org.

The TFI Sloan Filmmaker Fund will provide up to $140,000 in support of innovative and compelling filmmaking that explores scientific, mathematical, and technological themes and storylines, or a leading character who is a scientist, engineer, innovator or mathematician in fresh ways.

We are seeking exceptional narrative work of all genres (except science fiction or fantasy) with scientifically accurate themes or characters.

Selected projects from eligible directors, screenwriters and producers will be highlighted at the Tribeca Film Festival in May 2010. In addition to funding, grantees will receive professional guidance and industry exposure as needed.

Visit www.tribecafilminstitute.org/sloan for complete details and to apply now!

Online Application Opens October 30, 2009!

Deadline is January 11, 2010!

The College of Art Association Annual Conference will be in Chicago at the Hyatt Regency Feb. 10-13, 2010. The Film & Video Department at Columbia College Chicago will be sponsoring a Media Lounge at the conference with two programs that focus on films from the Midwest–Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Wisconsin and the two Canadian provinces of Manitoba and Ontario.
Films will screen continuously at the conference at the Media Lounge. Films can be any genre but should be 15 minutes or less.

Deadline is Nov. 1, send film(s) and application form to Mary Novak, Film & Video Dept. CCC 600 S. Michigan Ave. Chicago IL 60605.

For more information and application material please contact Mary Novak 312-369-6731 or mnovak@colum.edu!