Via Zoom: Mary Tilden for Her Short ‘Rough River Lake’ at Midwest Film Fest, Aug. 2, 2022

Submitted by PatrickMcD on August 1, 2022 - 8:51am

CHICAGO – First Tuesday for the Midwest Film Festival (MFF) is on August 2nd, 2022, and will present “Women & Gender Non-Conforming Filmmakers Night” at the Gene Siskel Film Center. For ticket info, click MFF AUG FIRST TUESDAY.

‘Women & Gender Non-Conforming Filmmakers Night’ Line-up at MFF
Photo credit: MidwestFilm.com

The Shorts showcase has a diverse line-up of films, including “Luteal” (Directed by Hilary Williams); “Heartsong” (Aurora Real de Asua); “Jade” (Reshmi Hazra Rustebakke); “Emergence” (Rey Tang); “The Chase” (Alaina Delagardelle); “Smoking Gun!” (Sanicole); “After (A Love Story)” (Clare Cooney); “Period Drama” (Anushka Tina Nair & Lauryn Anthony); “Skyroof” (Jewelia Santos) … and “Rough River Lake,” directed by Mary Tilden, who is interviewed below by Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com.

The Midwest Film Festival (formerly the Midwest Independent Film Festival) has been a staple in Chicago’s film community for 15 years. Through Executive Director Erica Duffy. the Festival thrives by bringing together the Chicago film community on every First Tuesdays of the month in this ongoing cinema celebration.

’Rough River Lake,’ Written and Directed by Mary Tilden (inset)
Photo credit: MaryTilden.com

Mary Tilden’s “Rough River Lake,” is a mini-clash of intention and atmosphere. A group of women arrive at a house on the title lake for their “gay-cation” weekend, including the couple Mary (Mary Tilden) and Leah (Leah Raidt), whose family owns the house. It turns out the weekend was double booked, and Leah’s brother Mason (Mike Geraghty) brings a group of males for a bachelor party. Between the two groups, who agree to co-exist for the weekend, mistakes will be made.

Mary Tilden grew up in Columbia, South Carolina. After moving to Chicago she has become a fixture in the city’s vibrant theater scene, including roles at the Goodman, the Writer’s Theatre, Jackalope and the Neo-Futurists, and is a member of the improv team Devil’s Daughter. She moved into film as a producer of “Cool for Five Seconds,” a multi-award winner. “Rough River Lake” is her debut as a writer and director.

In an interview via Zoom with Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com, writer/director Mary Tilden of “Rough River Lake” talks about the background of a very personal film …

First Tuesdays at The Midwest Film Festival Presents the “Women & Gender Non-Conforming Filmmakers Night” at the Gene Siskel Film Center – 164 North State Street in Chicago – beginning at 7pm on Tuesday, August 2nd, 2022. For more information on The Midwest Film Festival, click here. For more information on Mary Tilden, click MaryTilden.com.