The Oak Park Film Festival returns this weekend on September 11-14. The festival has quickly become a welcoming showcase for films with local ties, offering audiences from Oak Park and beyond the chance to experience independent cinema in a community-driven setting.
At its heart is Joyce Porter, the festival’s founder and president. An award-winning actor, author, and former theater and film professor at Moraine Valley Community College, Porter has spent her career championing storytelling and the arts. After years of attending festivals around the country, she recognized Oak Park’s extraordinary artistic heritage, from Frank Lloyd Wright and Ernest Hemingway to contemporary filmmakers, and knew her community was ready for a festival of its own.
The festival’s first edition in 2024 far exceeded expectations, drawing more than 60 film submissions, well beyond the original projection of 25. Seventeen films were ultimately programmed, spread across five thematic blocks, and every film had a direct Oak Park connection, whether through cast, crew, subject matter, or filming location. The opening night screening of The Abyss: Special Edition, starring Oak Park native Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, set the tone for a weekend that blended prestige with local pride.
Looking Ahead to 2025
The Oak Park Film Festival celebrates its second year with a gala opening night at the historic Lake Theatre on September 11, featuring step-and-repeat photos, guest speakers and a tribute to actor John Mahoney, followed by a screening of Moonstruck. The weekend holds an expanded lineup of 27 films, industry panels, Q&As, live music, and meals at Madison Street Theater.
As the festival continues to grow, its mission remains to highlight the town’s vibrant creative community while providing entertainment and cultural value to the entire Chicago area.
With the 2025 schedule in place, Oak Park is ready once again to roll out the red carpet, not only for the films that celebrate its spirit but also for the audiences who make it a true community event.
Those interested in volunteering can reach Porter directly at joyceporter2001@yahoo.com.
Festival Venues
- Lake Theatre – 1022 Lake St, Oak Park, IL 60301
(Classic Cinemas’ beautifully restored movie palace, home to the gala opening night screenings) - Madison Street Theater – 1010 Madison St, Oak Park, IL 60302
(The festival’s sponsor and community arts hub)
OPENING NIGHT (A full schedule and ticket links are available at opilff.org.)
Thursday, September 11, 2025
Lake Theatre
9:00 AM – Ribbon Cutting Ceremony with the Chamber of Commerce
All are welcome! Light refreshments provided.
6:30 PM – Arrival Photos with Step-N-Repeat Backdrop
7:00 PM – Opening Remarks, Guest Speaker & Tribute to John Mahoney
7:30 PM – Screening of Moonstruck
9:15 PM – Post-film discussion
9:30 PM – Final Photos
10:00 PM – End
DAY 1
Saturday, September 13, 2025
Madison Street Theater
11:30 AM – On-site Registration, Festival Pass Pickup
- Live music from the Miguel DeLeón Band
12:00 PM – Festival Kick-off
12:15 PM – BLOCK 1: LIFE – Good Times, Bad Times
- The Pantone Guy
- Vince: The Punctual Vagrant
- Filmmaker Q&A
2:30 PM – INDUSTRY PANEL: Helping Actors & Directors
- Jennifer Goodman: Fundraising and Distribution
- Ryan Atkins: Fundraising and Distribution
- Jen Howard: Compositor, Special Effects
- Edwin Wilson: Acting for Screen vs. Stage
- Tony Scott-Green: Film Scores and Composition
3:00 PM – [ B R E A K ]
3:15 PM – BLOCK 2: CHALLENGE – Finding Your Way
- Holiday Hold-up
- Path
- Filmmaker Q&A
5:15 PM – [ D I N N E R ]
6:00 PM – BLOCK 3: SHOWTIME – Underground Stars
- Styles Make Fights – “Mad” Max Metzgar
- Don’t Turn Your Back On Friday Night
- Filmmaker Q&A
8:15 PM – [ B R E A K ]
8:30 PM – BLOCK 4: THREATS – Oak Park Occult
- Close Encounters
- Rerun
- Cutting Ties
- Run
- Bat
- Slice
- Filmmaker Q&A
DAY 2
Sunday, September 14, 2025
Madison Street Theater
8:30 AM – On-site Registration, Festival Pass Pickup, Breakfast
9:15 AM – BLOCK 5: JOY – Making Good
- The Dishwasher Quest
- Fleeting
- Altruism: What’s In it For Me?
- Middle of Nowhere
- “Da Tree Bears”
- How We Roll
- Filmmaker Q&A
10:45 AM – [ B R E A K ]
11:00 AM – BLOCK 6: REAL PEOPLE – Don’t Judge A Book..
- Mr. Sines
- Shiners: Voices from Owsley County
- My Name is Gia
- Filmmaker Q&A
1:15 PM – INDUSTRY PANEL: What Is Their Role In A Film?
- David Leonard: Location Scout
- Gaby Labotka: Intimacy and Stunt Coordinator
- Oisin O’Driscoll: Colorist
1:45 PM – [ LUNCH ]
2:30 PM – BLOCK 7: RELATIONSHIPS – Getting To Know You
- Push Pull Entangle
- Park Life
- When Brian Met Jamila
- My Sister
- Housecats
- A Matter of Time
- Filmmaker Q&A
4:45 PM – [ B R E A K ]
5:00 PM – AWARDS CEREMONY (free with any festival ticket/pass)
- Featuring live music!
6:00 PM – FESTIVAL END
6:30 – 8 PM – POST-FESTIVAL MEET-UP @ The 19th Century Club
- Discuss films from the fest! All are welcome, cash bar
