Join us for the second year of an exciting festival showcasing independent filmmakers and films with ties to Oak Park, IL. Oak Park is known around the world as a leader not only in the arts, but in diversity. It is our hope that the festival will reflect this by representing both traditional and non-traditional filmmakers and projects. The main festival will be preceded by a gala screening of a Hollywood film Thursday evening at The Lake Theatre. Passes do not include this event. We plan to have a casual networking get together for filmmakers on the Friday evening preceding the festival.

Awards & Prizes

All entries chosen for the festival will receive an emailed laurel and 2 all day passes to the Saturday events. Winners will be listed on the website, emailed a winner laurel and receive a framed certificate if present at the closing ceremony. There will be awards for such categories as Best Director, etc. as the board determines. We don't want filmmakers to spend too much, so no additional entry is needed to be considered for these awards. Decisions as to which categories will be screened are at the discretion of the board.
In the notes with your submission be sure to say how your film is connected to Oak Park, IL. Also in this section, mention if you are a first-time filmmaker or a member of an under represented community.
New this year: all films nominated for an award in any category will be screened.

Rules & Terms

1. All films must have an Oak Park IL connection. This could be through cast, crew, shooting location or subject matter. Please state the connection in the optional notes.
2. If the person submitting is not the filmmaker they must have the filmmaker’s permission.
3. No individual can submit more than 2 entries and no entry should be submitted by more than one person.
4. Each project should only be submitted in one category. Projects will be considered in
additional categories at the discretion of the festival without additional payment.
5. There is no guarantee that there will be any entries shown in every category.
6. Entrees submitted after the deadline will not be accepted but may be resubmitted next year.
7. Entries may be in various formats, but if accepted for the festival a particular format may be required.
8. Entries created in any year will be accepted for this festival.
9. All entries must have on screen credits, including title, director and cast.
10. By entering you agree to the film being shown publicly without compensation.
11. If the film is not in English it must have English subtitles
12.. All entries should be independent films, so no TV shows nor projects created for a studio.
13. By entering you attest that you have the rights to all music and images shown.
5 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Risé Sanders-Weir

    What a gem of a locally-focused festival! It's hard to believe that this was its first year. So well run! Smooth transitions! Interesting panels. I hope to be back screening there again.

    October 2024
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  • H. Nelson Tracey

    Great festival!! We were unable to attend in person but the communication was top-notch from afar, Joyce and her team did a fabulous job kicking off this new festival, and the photos and scheduling look excellent. We were mailed our awards which were beautiful too, a huge honor. Personally, I don't see why the festival should only be for films with an Oak Park IL connection and I'd invite them to consider a category for non-Oak Park IL films, but I'm glad they had so many submissions and thankful that we qualified thanks to our producer. Look forward to submitting any future films that have an Oak Park connection. Thank you very much!

    September 2024
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks Nelson!

  • Michèle Jedlicka

    The OP IL Film Festival knocked their debut year out of the park. Excellent communication, and lots of thought and care. Thank you so much for including my film, That thing we all share, giving another audience a chance to see it. Definiteyl will submit next year.

    September 2024
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks Michele! We look forward to seeing your next film.

  • Wendy Roderweiss

    I was so impressed with this festival. Great communication and organization and a dedicated team that really worked to make this inaugral fest a success. The programming was really good, and the talk backs were some of the best I have had at festivals. Great questions, and not rushed. Met lots of wonderful filmmakers and was so impressed with the audience turnout!

    September 2024
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks Wendy! I enjoyed getting to know you and hope to see you again.

  • Nick Pospisil

    Absolutely wonderful festival! Joyce's communication was quick and clarified. The night went smoothly and I got to meet so many local filmmakers, all of whom were gracious and friendly. I highly encourage Oak Park locals to submit next year!

    September 2024
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks Nick! Your film was so well done.