Film News: Midwest Independent Film Fest Presents ‘Midwest Shorts’ on Mar. 5, 2019

Printer-friendly versionE-mail page to friendPDF version

CHICAGO – The art of the short film is catching up to our tech-laden short attention spans, but they also often serve as a calling card for the filmmakers of the future. The monthly Midwest Independent Film Festival will have their Spring “Midwest Shorts” on Tuesday, March 5th, 2019, at the Landmark Century Cinema in Chicago. For details and tickets, click here.

The evening will include WHAM, directed by Robert Bruce Carter, a physical comedy in which two people fall in love on a sidewalk and a ripple effect ensues; I’M NOT HAPPY BUT I’M TRYING, directed by Jonathan Janas, in which the most cheerful man in town fights his own personal demons and hardships with balloons; JUNE, directed by Shelby Alayne Antel and Andy Hones, the story of a dispute that causes a woman to find an unlikely confidant in her next-door neighbor about her personal struggles; OUTSIDE, directed by Samantha Ellis, which takes a look at the life of an uncertain and fearful young woman who must choose between the stifling security of her room or the frightening world outside; THE MUSICIAN, directed by Mark Schimmel, and featuring violinist Anne Harris, is a film that depicts the story of a famous violinist who spends her days dressing up as a street musician and her belief that sharing music can transform lives; SMALL CHANGE, directed by Patrick Burke, is a nod to film noir in which a man shares his thoughts on urban culture while people-watching in a city diner, while, perhaps his thinking is not quite in line with the zeitgeist.

Midwest Shorts Night
Photo credit: MidwestFilm.com

Also #RESIST, directed by Rocco Cataldo (written, performed and produced by MIFF Advisory Council President Mary Kay Cook, with cinematography by Co-Founder and Board President Mike Kwielford) which takes a look at the life of a woman overwhelmed with political resistance fatigue; GIVE IT UP, directed by Matt Knudsen, the story of a comedian facing the stark reality of his employment options when he considers retiring from show business; THE ORCHESTRA, directed by Curtis J. Matzke, the chilling story of a young woman haunted by an undead orchestra when she finds herself alone in an empty theatre; LADIES FIRST, directed by Maggie Scrantom, a glimpse of the space between the lines, and what happens when we both hold on and fall at the same time; SOLE SURVIVOR, directed by Nicholas Moczalla, which depicts the epic journey to keep white sneakers clean and pristine; as well as THE WAYWARD WIND directed by Steve Delahoyde and Monica Thomas, with music by Carl Sondrol, using movement and humor to turn the idea of the “rambling man” on its head; and finally the hip hop music video LOOSE LIPS, directed by Sean Kirkland, which tells the story of a warlock rapper and his siren girlfriend as they invade the mind of a young boy and force him to rap. 

The Midwest Independent Film Festival is a year-round movie event in Chicago that takes place the first Tuesday of every month, at the Landmark Century Centre Cinema. The festival has been recognized by Chicago Magazine in their “Best of Chicago” issue, and has become one of the top places for local filmmakers, producers and actors to network in the city.

By PATRICK McDONALD Editor and Film Writer HollywoodChicago.com pat@hollywoodchicago.com