The Illini Independent Film Festival is accepting submissions through March 30. The second annual festival, which ran last year under the name “Movies to the MACS,” hopes to provide student filmmakers with an opportunity to exhibit their creative visions to an appreciative audience of film lovers. While the festival focuses on local students’ work, submissions are open to anyone.
Students of MACS 464, an in-depth course on film festivals, are organizing the IIFF to showcase films created by college students in Illinois and the community members of Champaign-Urbana. “The students have looked at the history and importance of a variety of film festivals, from Cannes and Sundance to Midnight Sun and Pordenone, and the production of their own film festival allows them to apply that knowledge,” said course instructor Rich Potter. The students also serve as interns for Ebertfest, the storied film festival held annually in downtown Champaign, prior to the Illini Independent Film Festival. Through their internship, students receive hands-on experience working on an established film festival.
Scheduled to take place on April 27, the festival will be a free, day-long event taking place in the Armory Theater. Featured filmmakers will be given the opportunity to discuss their work with festival-goers and with one another. Films in competition will be awarded categorical prizes based on ratings by a panel of judges drawn from the university community, as well as audience members.
Submit a Film
Submissions can range between one and 120 minutes, with no restrictions on genre or subject. For more information, filmmakers can visit the festival website or contact Erik Scott.