Central Illinois will collectively host a mother lode of unique screening opportunities during the next 10 days as several movie events return for 2012, coincidentally scheduled one on top of the other! Since we want you to devote as much attention as possible to this upswing of indie film culture, dearest readers, we\u2019ll keep your preview short and sweet. Here goes!<\/p>\n
As of posting time, all three evenings of the third annual Freeky Creek Short Film Festival<\/strong> have either passed already or are now sold out. The lucky ones will get their fill of the willies and wine at Sleepy Creek Vineyards,<\/a> 8254 E 1425 North Rd., Fairmount, IL<\/strong>, later tonight, Friday, October 26<\/strong>, and tomorrow, Saturday, October 27<\/strong>, both starting at 8 p.m.<\/strong>, as projectionist\/programmer Joe Taylor<\/strong> and host-in-disguise Bill Kephart<\/strong> keep everyone in stitches during the most unique presentation amongst the four fests. This also happens to be the closest geographically to Champaign-Urbana<\/strong> so, if you had planned on getting your fill of thrills from Freeky while putting minimal mileage on your motor vehicle, too late! Not even a rabbit\u2019s (or drug-addicted Easter Bunny<\/strong>\u2019s) foot can provide you good luck at this point.<\/p>\n Also taking place this weekend is the second staging of organizer Bob Bartel<\/strong>\u2019s movie maven retreat, the Central Illinois Film Expo & Trade Show<\/strong>, tucked away at the Riverbank Lodge, 522 South 6th St.<\/strong>, in Petersburg, IL<\/strong>, just west of Springfield. Most presentations will occur throughout the day today, Friday, October 26<\/strong>, and tomorrow, Saturday, October 27<\/strong>, with closing remarks and casting calls filling the first half of Sunday, October 28<\/strong>. As a production of the Central Illinois Film Commission<\/strong><\/a>, the schedule received by C-U Blogfidential<\/strong> promises workshops and presentations from many of that group\u2019s usual suspects: photographer and CIFC president Dean Williams<\/strong>, talent agent Shawnee Tefteller<\/strong>, novelist and filmmaker Jim Conover<\/strong>, theater director and film producer Bartel, and more. Panels will cover expected targets such as industry trends, production needs, make-up effects, et al<\/em>, but a few programming choices \u2013 Belly dancers? Military history? Key to the city of Petersburg presentation? \u2013 inspire us to scratch our heads a bit. Regardless, we\u2019re sure a splendid time is guaranteed for all who attend this one-of-a-kind downstate expo!<\/p>\n Several days later, the Embarrass Valley Film Festival<\/strong><\/a> coordinated by the Coles County Arts Council<\/strong> and the College of Arts & Humanities<\/strong> at Eastern Illinois University<\/strong> in Charleston<\/strong> will devote its eighth annual incarnation to the film work of venerated Hollywood<\/strong> actor Gene Hackman<\/strong>, a native of Danville<\/strong>. Most discussions and screenings will take place on campus at the Tarble Arts Center<\/strong> (T), 2010 9th St.<\/strong>, and Doudna Fine Arts Center<\/strong> (D), 9th St. & Garfield Ave.<\/strong>, between Thursday, November 1<\/strong>, and Saturday, November 3<\/strong>, incorporating the following Hackman high watermarks: BONNIE AND CLYDE<\/strong> (11\/1, 3:30 p.m., D), UNFORGIVEN<\/strong> (11\/2, 7 p.m., D), THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS<\/strong> (11\/2, 10 p.m., D), HOOSIERS<\/strong> (11\/3, 2 p.m., T), and THE FRENCH CONNECTION<\/strong> (11\/3, 7 p.m., D). Introductions will be provided by C-U writer\/reviewer Chuck Koplinski<\/strong>, critic Dann Gire<\/strong> from suburban Chicago<\/strong> newspaper The Daily Herald<\/span><\/strong>, and incoming EIU men\u2019s basketball coach Jay Spoonhour<\/strong>. The product of a local children\u2019s stop-motion workshop taught by EVFF associates will also be shown that Saturday.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n