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Illinois Filmmakers Encouraged to Enter Work in State’s Short Film Competition


Sixth Year for Illinois Film Office Shortcuts Competition

CHICAGO–(ENEWSPF)–March 28, 2013.  Illinois filmmakers who are looking for the next big break are invited to enter their work in the 2013 Shortcuts competition which kicks off today. In its sixth year, Shortcuts is a statewide short film competition sponsored by the Illinois Film Office and designed to encourage growth in Illinois’ film industry. In order to take part in the contest entrants must be Illinois residents over the age of 18 or students over the age of 18 who attend Illinois colleges and universities. The winner will receive a cash prize and the winning film will be screened during the Chicago International Film Festival this fall.

“We want to invite Illinois’ best filmmakers to help make our sixth Shortcuts Competition the strongest one yet. Shortcuts is a great opportunity for up and coming filmmakers to display their talent,” said Betsy Steinberg, Managing Director of the IFO, which is a division of the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO).

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 will be accepted Thursday, March 28 through Friday, August 30th. More information on the Shortcuts contest and the Illinois Film Office can be found at www.film.illinois.gov.

Last year’s winner was the Potenza Productions’ short film “Wednesday’s Child,” directed by Rocco Cataldo and produced by Mary Kay Cook. The film a dark comedy in which a young girl’s plans to teach her parents a lesson go horribly awry. The film stars Meredith Droeger, Kara Zeidker, Kirk Anderson and David Kovac, and was screened as part of the 2012 Chicago International Film Festival’s short film program.

Illinois’ film industry saw a record four television series shoot in their entirety in state in 2012. 2013 is already off to a great start with series Chicago Fire in production as well as three TV pilots and three major studio movies already committed. DCEO and the IFO are dedicated to advancing Illinois’ reputation as a world-class film destination. The IFO 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.

Source: illinois.gov

 


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