Attention aspiring filmmakers, someone may want to watch your avant-garde short about Wicker Park after all! The Chicago Park District announced on Monday that it is accepting entries for its fourth annual Chicago OnScreen Local Film Showcase, a festival that gives Chicago-based moviemakers the opportunity to screen their films for local audiences.
Interested participants have until January 6 to submit their film shorts or feature-length projects at the park district’s website. All submissions should be locally produced and have a Chicago focus. The festival is open to filmmakers of any age or skill level, regardless of professional experience (we're looking at you film school dropouts). Submissions will be reviewed by the Chicago Onscreen selection committee, which includes park district staff and “film-community insiders.”
Films selected by the committee will be screened August 29 through September 9 at parks throughout the city. According to the park district, Chicago Onscreen has featured 45 feature and short films since the festival premiered in 2014.
“Chicago OnScreen is a very popular extension of the Movies in the Parks film series that shines a spotlight on homegrown talent and stories,” Chicago Park District Superintendent and CEO Michael Kelly said in a statement. “The local film showcase gives Chicago film producers the opportunity to engage with new communities, and to bring their local films to new audiences in Chicago’s parks.”
If you're not familiar with Chicago OnScreen, check out this trailer for the 2016 showcase.
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