Archive for the 'CU Film Society' Category

Kids’ vids preserve Pens to Lens

Thursday, September 17th, 2020

When life hands you lemons, make the best movies possible with limited means! This is the lesson behind the children-led Pens to Lens show that premiered virtually at Facebook on August 15, 2020.

Youth expressed positively in films

Monday, August 19th, 2019

‘Tis the season for learning as the school year rushes in, but any time is golden for inspiring our youth. Students living in the Champaign-Urbana area have options aplenty to do just that, even with filmmaking.

View Pens to Lens ’18 films today

Friday, August 24th, 2018

If you did not attend the Pens to Lens Gala on August 11, 2018, you missed out on a fantastic chance to see children’s imaginations in action. Lucky for you, P2L always releases the goods shortly after!

IOW: P2L kid films debut Aug. 15

Thursday, August 13th, 2015

From the “Images of the Week” Dept.: Before the students in your life go back to school, take them to the Pens to Lens Gala on Saturday, August 15, 2015, at the Virginia Theatre in Champaign, IL. Good things will be learned!

Noting the needful film things

Saturday, January 31st, 2015

We challenge you, dearest arts supporters, to jump right on in and help out these efforts. We would not have Champaign-Urbana film culture without ’em!

IOW: I spy KEVIN and big P2L fun!

Friday, September 26th, 2014

From the “Images of the Week” Dept.: Just because it’s back-to-school time doesn’t mean we can’t recall what everybody (and we mean EVERYBODY) filmed on their summer vacation! Behold, a Pens to Lens 2014 update…

IOW: Our kids stay in the pictures

Friday, August 8th, 2014

From the “Images of the Week” Dept.: In this extra-length IOW, we flash you with Pens to Lens brilliance and then talk with short film organizer and director Thomas Nicol about this unique C-U activity.

Virginia hosts Pens to Lens gala

Thursday, August 7th, 2014

The second annual Pens to Lens Awards Gala will take place Saturday, August 9, 2014, at the Virginia Theatre in downtown Champaign. Here is the line-up of all our children’s wild story ideas brought to life by the filmmakers of Champaign-Urbana!

UI student films express feminism

Thursday, July 17th, 2014

In the second of several (belated) CUBlog reports examining Champaign-Urbana film events from recent months, Confidential agent Lauren Laws reports on film feminism as created through the efforts of University of Illinois students, alumni, and staff.

HOUSE, shorts to play on Porch

Friday, March 21st, 2014

A completely unofficial prelude to the wonders one might watch at the New Art Film Festival next month, the local film “double feature” at Figure One in downtown Champaign on Saturday, March 22, 2014 aims to educate and inspire.

IOW: P2L2 seeking K-12 scripts

Saturday, February 8th, 2014

From the “Images of the Week” Dept.: Does your child have great imagination? Can she or he put it into words? Then, she or he might have fun writing a short film script for the 2014 Pens to Lens competition sponsored by the Champaign-Urbana Film Society!

C-U Film Leader: 6.27.2013

Thursday, June 27th, 2013

In this edition of C-U Blogfidential’s all-purpose column, “The C-U Film Leader,” we talk about THE GARDEN OF CHLOE auditions, the passing of Gary Gardner, on-line Pens to Lens videos, the Avon Theatre’s new little sister, and film contests galore!

Events we RIYL DIY filmmaking

Thursday, May 30th, 2013

Once again, we feel behind the times in our own reporting niche but that will not stop us from encouraging you last-minute to support Urbana Basement Sessions, engage in “Dinner and Bikes,” and revel in the success of Pens to Lens!

Scripting is the thing at CMM

Thursday, May 2nd, 2013

Champaign Movie Makers will meet during a special screenwriters’ session at Quality Beer in downtown Champaign, IL, later tonight, Thursday, May 2, 2013. We also discuss the Pens to Lens screenwriting competition for children and an unique screenplay collection at UIUC!

C-U film not yet over the hill

Thursday, March 28th, 2013

It’s time for the Champaign-Urbana community to give itself a boost in supporting the integration of film and media production into our very fabric of being. That includes teaching the kids that making movies is alright.