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 While adding the word “festival” makes anything an event, to
model a film festival after some of the big boys, such as Sundance
or Cannes, is something that one person cannot accomplish without
good friends in the right places. Last week Lanterman spoke about
the upcoming film festival and was quick to note that Logan County
can thank its hometown girl, Brenda Chapman and her husband Kevin
Lima for bringing a new cultural event to Lincoln. He added that
Lincoln College is also playing a part in making this event happen.
Lanterman said he and the community are lucky to have these local
assets. Then, add to that, there is the great cooperation with the
Logan County Board in being allowed to hold a Pre-festival Gala
event at the Logan County Courthouse. All in all, Lanterman said
this is going to be a memorable experience that will allow many to
“see the world outside of Lincoln and Logan County.” In addition, it
may open doors to new opportunities in the future.
The festivities will begin on Friday, October 14th with an evening
showing of the major motion picture “Lincoln.” After the film,
guests will have the opportunity to go to the Logan County
Courthouse for a gala reception.
 At that reception, attendees will be able to mingle and share
opinions about the film over drinks and hors d'oeuvres. Guests will
also have the option to hear Illinois State Historian Dr. Samuel
Wheeler give a short talk on “the iconography of Abraham Lincoln in
our modern world.” Lanterman said the talk would take place in one
of the courtrooms and is optional for guests.
On Saturday morning at 9:30 a.m. there will be a free event open to
the public featuring a special compilation of animated films for
children and adults. The production is the work of the Bay Area
International Children’s Film Festival and is a collection of
excerpts from films submitted to that festival.
Then, starting at noon on Saturday and Sunday festival goers will be
able to see a wide variety of films, many of which were last year’s
Oscar nominees in their respective categories.
Lanterman explained that while we all recognize the Oscars as a big
accomplishment for full-length motion pictures, there are a wide
variety of categories that are eligible for Oscar nomination. Those
nominees are selected, and winners often acknowledged with only a
brief announcement during the large gala event. The categories can
include short films and documentaries that run in time from 6 to 13
minutes, and feature films and documentaries that will run normally
less than 40 minutes. The Lincoln Film Festival will feature a
selection from both of these categories.
Lanterman said that when people see these short films, they will be
impressed. These are not amateur productions, they are well thought
out, well designed, and thought provoking. He noted, “Some will be
happy or sad. Some will be shocking; many will provoke an emotion,
but they are not all dark films.”
Another interesting feature of a film festival is that many times
there will be at least a few of the film producers who attend the
festival. Lanterman said some of these artists in the short
categories might be trying to work their way up to the status of
folks like Chapman, Lima, or Steven Spielberg. For them, the
personal exposure at any film festival is good. He also noted that
not everyone does want to be the next Spielberg. Some have a goal of
being documentary producers, and they only want to make their
offering better.
 Either way, these producers do take the opportunity to come to
various festivals and talk with the folks who have viewed their
films. Lanterman noted that he is certain of at least a couple who
are planning to attend the Lincoln Film Festival. He noted one in
particular, who created a short film called “Before ‘I Do’.”
Director Kimberly D., Connor is planning to attend and will be
available after the showing of her film to speak with guests.
Lanterman said that films would run in one-hour blocks throughout
Saturday and Sunday afternoon and evening. Guests who come can watch
which ever films they choose, and can also attend one day, or both
days, with discount passes available for those who do choose to
attend both days.
In addition to the short feature films, the festival will offer a
big-screen showing of Brave, Enchanted, and The Lion King. Chapman
was the director and writer of Brave, and "Head of Story" in the
production of The Lion King. After each movie, she will be available
for a question and answer session. Kevin Lima was the director of
Enchanted, and will be on hand after that movie as well. The pair
will also be available to sign autographs.
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Lanterman said that he really wanted people in the area to understand just how
special it is that the theater will offer these three films as well as “Lincoln”
on the big screen. He said that years ago, Disney had a practice of releasing a
new animated film, then after the right amount of time, putting it in the
“vault’ for about seven years. They would then bring it out and release it on
the big screen again. With the evolution of high definition televisions, home
theaters and online businesses such as Netflix, Disney no longer places films in
the “vault.” Instead, they run for a limited time in the theater then are
released to the secondary markets such as movie rentals and DVD sales.
He said for the Lincoln Film Festival to get permission to run these movies on
the big screen again, took a lot of effort from Chapman and Lima; it was not
something that just any movie theater could pull-off.
Other special features of the weekend will include a talk by Chapman and Lima at
10 a.m. on Saturday entitled “Pursuing and attaining your dreams.” At noon there
will be a presentation about “Camp Reel Stories.” Spoiler alert, listen for a
special announcement of how this is going to impact the future of young female
talent in Logan County, possibly as early as next year at Lincoln College.
Lanterman said that to enjoy the Lincoln Film Festival in the way a person may
want, there will be a variety of offerings.
First, the Thursday night gala is a separate event. Tickets will be sold
separately for that event, but guests have three options. They may choose just
to go to the movie and skip the gala reception, or they may go just to the
reception, or they can do both. Either way, one ticket will gain them entry to
whatever portion of the evening they want to attend.
The three Disney animated films will have separate tickets and ticket price.
Lanterman said they are doing this so the ticket cost will be less, and the
movies will be available for parents who just want to bring their kids to see
one of these films in a theater.
For the balance of the film festival activities, guests may purchase a one day
pass or a two-day pass. During the afternoon, guests can come and go as they
please, they just need to keep possession of that pass so they can get back in
at any time they wish.
Lanterman said for those coming from out of town; he has worked out a package
deal with the Hampton Inn in Lincoln. The package will include a one or
two-night stay, plus gift cards to popular spots downtown, such as Blue Dog Inn,
Spirited Republic, and By the Bean. In addition to these great places for food
and beverages, Bean Sprouts in Lincoln will have a sidewalk café set up outside
the theater with soups and sandwiches.
Lanterman said that along with the festival, the regular schedule of new
releases would be showing on the other screens, and moviegoers can attend those
films, just as they would any other weekend.
So, will Lincoln Illinois someday be the new Sundance? Lanterman says no it
won’t, and he’s not sure we would even want it to be, but he is hopeful that
this event will grow and will become an annual event that brings folks into
Logan County from other places, and also brings a new perspective of the film
industry to those of us who are local.
Finally, Lanterman noted that if it weren't for good friendships and
relationships with Chapman, Lima, and Lincoln College, he would not be bringing
this event to Lincoln. He noted they deserve a great deal of the credit, and he
is thankful that all three parties are excited to be a part of this great
festival in Lincoln.
[Nila Smith]
Visit the Lincoln Film Festival website -
http://www.lincolnfilmfestival.com/
Review trailers from some of the films to be shown -
http://www.lincolnfilmfestival.com/film-guide/
Review the schedule -
http://www.lincolnfilmfestival.com/schedule
You may also purchase your tickets at the website.
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