Since 2008, the Naperville Independent Film Festival has taken place on big screens here and there throughout the city every September.
The 2012 film festival is slated Sept. 15-22 with shows scheduled at Classic Cinemas Ogden 6 Theaters, Hollywood Palms Cinema and Smith Hall-North Central College in Naperville as well as at Hollywood Blvd. Cinema in Woodridge.
In total, 76 films and five screenplays officially were selected to be part of this year’s NIFF. From these choices, 48 entries were selected as contenders for awards.
During the Jaycees Last Fling, NIFF organizers Edmond Cloisson, Glessna Cloisson, Bob Fieseler and Mary Ellen Fieseler were engaged in conversations around a large round table near the sponsors tent to promote the upcoming film festival.
“We’re ready to go,” said Edmond Cloisson, attired in the fifth annual NIFF t-shirt. With the encouragement of Naperville resident Gary Pradel, Cloisson founded NIFF in 2007 with his wife to share his passion for film, acting and writing that he first discovered as a youngster growing up in Italy. The event has grown every year, attracting interest from quality filmmakers worldwide.
Opening Night Premieres will be hosted at two locations on Sat., Sept.15.
Beginning at 7PM, Ogden 6 Cinemas will show three award-winning ECU (Paris Film Festival) films: “Women & Children,” “The Forest is Red,” and “Bliss Street.”
“With special décor and some delicious chocolates, attendees will believe they’re in Paris at the ECU Film Festival,” said NIFF spokewoman Mary Ellen Fieseler.
The second Opening Night Premieres will take place at the Hollywood Blvd. Theater in Woodridge. “I Heart Shakey”, rated G, will be shown at 4:30PM followed by “Spades,” an incredible thriller by award winning filmmaker, John Wesley Norton, at 7PM.
In addition, NIFF will feature Premiere Films at Ogden 6 Theaters, beginning at 7PM every week day. A free raffle at Ogden 6 also is planned during the week of the Film Festival, with the prize ticket being drawn on Sept. 22. (For rules, visit www.naperfilmfest.org.)
Special NIFF Events
At 7PM Sun., Sept. 16, , the Premiere of “DMZ Zone,” a Documentary about the War in Vietnam, by Leonard Brink, will be held at Classic Cinema Ogden 6. Following the film, at 8:15PM, there will be a Q&A reception with Leonard Brink in the lobby of the theater. Filmmaker Brink is a member of the Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873.
At 7PM Wed., Sept. 19, supporters can attend a special screening/fundraiser at the Ogden 6 Theater, for downtown Naperville’s nonprofit War Chest Store – “Woman at Risk.” Two NIFF films, “Parts” and “Who Shall It Be,” will be shown.
In addition, guest speaker Chris Baker from INK 180 will share his enlightening story about how he donates time to remove branding tattoos from women who were trafficked. If he cannot remove the tattoo he covers it up with a more positive tattoo, depicting their new free life.
At 7PM Thurs., Sept.20. Ogden 6 Theaters will present the Premiere Documentary “Three Days of Hamlet.” Actress Stefanie Powers, and actor Alex Hyde White are scheduled to attend, with a reception to follow at the Country Inn and Suites.
At 7PM Fri., Sept. 21, at the Hollywood Palms Theater, actor Michael Madsen, will be in attendance at the NIFF Premiere of his movie “Vice,” which will be followed by a Q&A session.
The Naperville Independent Film Festival once again is partnering with the European Independent Film Festival (ECU). Twenty-three of their Award Winning Films, plus 26 of NIFF’s Film Shorts will be shown at Smith Hall-North Central College during the week of the Film Festival.
The winners of this year’s Film Festival will be announced at the Red Carpet Closing Night Ceremony at the Hollywood Palms Cinema on Sept. 22. This fun, entertaining event, open to everyone, will begin at 5:30PM. Tickets can be purchased at the door or online at NIFF’s website.
For more information about NIFF, its movie schedule and locations, visit www.Naperfilmfest.org.
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