Illinois filmmakers encouraged to enter work in state's short film competition

6th year for Illinois Film Office Shortcuts competition

[April 02, 2013]  CHICAGO -- Illinois filmmakers who are looking for their next big break are invited to enter their work in the 2013 Shortcuts competition, which kicked off last week. 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.

"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 Illinois Film Office, which is a division of the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

Participants may use any format -- film, video, graphics 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.

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. Submissions will be accepted through Friday, Aug. 30.

Entries will be judged by a panel of film industry professionals. The winner will receive a cash prize, and the winning film will be screened during the Chicago International Film Festival this fall.

More information on the Shortcuts contest and the Illinois Film Office is available 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 is 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 the state in 2012. 2013 is already off to a great start with the series "Chicago Fire" in production as well as three TV pilots and three major studio movies already committed.

The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and the Illinois Film Office are dedicated to advancing Illinois' reputation as a world-class film destination. The Illinois Film Office promotes and markets the state as an ideal shooting location for films, television shows and commercials. The office also promotes and encourages the training and hiring of Illinois residents who represent the diversity of the state's population.

[Text from Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity file received from the Illinois Office of Communication and Information]