When Chicago Community Cinema re-launches May 3 as the Midwest Independent Film Festival at Landmark’s Century Centre, it will be one of the first fests between the coasts to offer true HD projection.
New sponsor Resolution Digital Studios?The Show Department’s HD facility which officially opens its doors this April?is supplying Digital Light Processing (DLP) HD projection equipment.
Longtime CCC sponsor Fletcher Chicago is providing a DVC-Pro HD playback deck.
“Tom Fletcher was one of the biggest proponents pushing us to get better projection,” said event producer and co-founder Michael Kwielford. “He’s been working really closely with us to get the best quality we can and make it a truly unique experience.”
Filmmakers featured in the Midwest Indie will be required to deliver their work on HD, or possibly a film print, Kwielford said.
Fest organizers settled on Landmark from a field of five prospective theatrical venues, after years at the Excalibur nightclub. “It’s the goal of every independent filmmaker to get their work up on the big screen,” Kwielford said.
“Our event is now at one of the premiere independent film screening venues in the Midwest,” said event director Mike McNamara. “When we mentioned Landmark to filmmakers their eyes would just light up.”
After a hiatus since January, Midwest Indie will return to CCC’s regular schedule?the first Tuesday of every month. Screenings will be in Landmark’s largest, 270-seat, auditorium, with vendors set up in the adjacent top-floor balcony.
Headlining the fest will be “Sugar Mountain,” shot in Indiana by Buffalo Grove native Aaron Himelstein, who played young Austin Powers in “Goldmember” and is a regular on “Joan of Arcadia.” Himelstein’s first short, “A Split Second,” premiered at the IFP Flyover Zone Film Festival. He’ll attend the screening.
The inaugural Midwest Independent Film Festival is Tuesday, May 3 at Landmark Century Centre Cinema, 2828 N. Clark. Doors at 6 p.m. Screenings start at 7:30. Reception will follow at a location to be announced. $10, $7 for students and IFP members.
Anyone interested in volunteering for the Midwest Independent Film Festival is invited to call McNamara at 773/398-0021. See www.midwestfilm.com.
