Join us for the third 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 trophy or 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 the 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.
14. There is no minimum length but maximum is 2 hours. Under 2 hours is preferred
15. No instructional videos please.
16. Anyone who lives, attends school, owns a business in, or is a member of the OPRF Chamber of Commerce, or did any of those things in the past is eligible to submit.
17. Entries not chosen may be submitted a second year but not more.
10 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Sarah Falkiner

    Great experience! Really enjoyable and made great connections with other filmmakers and actors

    January 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thanks Sarah!

  • Anthony Ciancio

    Fantastic new festival on the rise! A very warm and creative atmosphere with an awesome staff/crew/venue to match. The programming, Q&A's, industry panels, and networking were great too. Joyce has done a beautiful job cultivating something special here and it will be very cool to see it grow in years to come.

    October 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thanks so much Anthony!

  • Jessie Epstein

    Great festival! Warm, local, welcoming, with great panels and interesting programming. This is gonna be a destination festival in years to come!

    October 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you Jessie. We look forward to seeing you next year.

  • Dennis Fuentes

    This 2nd year of the OPILFF was even better than the first! Thank you for giving screen time to my music video, "Middle of Nowhere." Looking forward to seeing what happens next year.

    September 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you Dennis. It was a pleasure to have you and your video.

  • Michael Moreci

    Fantastic atmosphere, great staff and crew--can't wait for next year!

    September 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you Michael. It was a pleasure to get to know you as well as having your film.