In The News
November 23, 2007Helping filmmakers improve their work is a main mission of Naperville’s first 2008 film festival
A group of independent filmmakers from Naperville will host the city’s first annual Independent Film Festival September of 2008—but with a big, helpful difference from other festivals.
“The main mission is to bring filmmakers from around the world together,” says festival co-founder Edmond Coisson. “The second goal is to help filmmakers improve their films.”
The festival was started with the hopes of helping up-and-coming filmmakers improve their work through constructive criticism.
Naperville resident Coisson is an established actor, writer, director and heads Our Path Motion Picture Productions. He and his wife, Glessna, became frustrated with the film festival system and decided to approach it in a different way.
Festivals traditionally judge films on merit but do not aid filmmakers with the ratification process through critique.
The festival will feature two jury panels. The first will be comprised of filmmakers, critics, stage and screen actors and directors.
The other will feature a mix of industry specialists from lighting to sound engineers to view the films in more depth.
The panels will critique all angles of the submissions and the finalists will each receive a letter with constructive criticism mapping out the problems and possible solutions.
“As a filmmaker you need to look at what you’ve done in every angle,” says Coisson. “My goal is that if in a year I can help improve a film that was screened then the festival was a success to me. There is always room for improvement.”
The celebration will span several days, and screenings will be would be held at venues throughout Naperville, including the new $29 million North Central College’s Fine Arts Center.
With the help of the Mayor of Naperville, Coisson and his team completed the festival's pre-production stage. He says that people have been coming out of the woodwork in support.
“Everyone in this area knows about the festival by now,” says Coisson.
Coisson is continuing to build a lasting friendship with the community and the festival’s sponsors with hopes of making it an annual gala.
Since the beginning of October he has received entries from New York, Los Angeles and Canada. Deadline is May 31, 2008.
The festival will accept film shorts at 40 minutes or less, full-length features (anything over 41 minutes), and screenplay entries, all of which must be no more than five years of age.
There will be three separate categories consisting of narrative, documentaries, and animated films. Coisson is also encouraging student filmmakers under the age of 18 to submit their films and is offering a discounted entry fee.
Naperville Independent Film Festival is located at 1701 Quincy Ave., Naperville. For entries call 630/729-3182 or see www.naperfilm.org.
—Werner Sills
www.naperfilm.org
