Block a Chi-town three-peat!!!
Since the summer is rarely a time of relaxation here at the Secret MICRO-FILM Headquarters, please savor the twofer we managed to post today for that turnaround rate will be an exception to the norm.
However, if you view tight time frames and deadlines as not a hindrance but a welcome challenge, then you may be interested in this year’s third annual “Shortcuts” competition sponsored by the Illinois Film Office. Obliquely designed to showcase in-state talent, the contest will award a cash sum and arrange a premiere during the Chicago International Film Festival in October as a grand prize. Entrants should be Illinois residents aged 18 years or older and entries must run no more than 15 minutes, but the sky’s apparently the limit on content as long as it doesn’t push too far into outré or graphic territory and features completely original and/or cleared elements. Non-refundable submission fee is $25.00 and deadline is Tuesday, August 31. Further details plus entry form can be found on the IFO Web site.
Other pages at the same site profile the winners from prior years, Larry Ziegelman in 2008 for CHECK PLEASE and the team of Laura Szymber and Brad DeMarea in 2009 for AN EVENING WITH EMERY LONG, all Chicago media professionals. If your first reaction to that revelation is, “Well, of course the winners came from Chicago,” then maybe you need to get on the stick and show the IFO how we do things outside the Windy City, boss. We’re rootin’ for you!
~ Jason Pankoke