From love to werewolves, come see 11 original, short films on one big screen!

Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre (201 West Jefferson Street, Joliet) is proud to showcase original films created by high school and college students and adults at the very first “J-Town Film Fest: Focus On Film” on April 29, 2:00-4:00 pm. From love to werewolves,  the wide variety of films (rated G to PG) cover:  comedy, documentary, drama and music. Admission is $5.00 to see all eleven short films and a chance to meet directors, cast and crew.

Selected films will be shown in the park’s indoor theatre, which features a new sound system and new larger indoor screen. “There’s a lot of talent out there; so sit back, relax and enjoy!” invites Park Manager Lori Carmine, who envisioned this event to showcase independent filmmakers in Joliet and surrounding communities. She would like to thank all those who sent entries and the J-Town Film Fest committee for their selection. After much deliberation, the following eleven films out of twenty-one made the final cut and will be shown on Sunday.

Comedy winner:

• N.Y.A.A. (a boss fires his employee for a very strange reason, by Chuck Soumar of Lyons).

Comedy honorable mention:

• The Lazy Werewolf (a werewolf tries to live out his calling in spite of a little hurdle, by Derek Braasch of Wood Dale).

Documentary winner:

• Endless Love (a romantic love story about married couples sharing genuine love for each other, by Cortez Mack of Chicago).

Documentary honorable mention:

• Along The Waterway (about Bicentennial Park circa 1986), by Jason Coleman of Joliet).

Drama winners (2):

• The Red Room – Episode 1 (Rebecca attempts to discover what her boyfriend Tyler is up to as he runs from the skeletons in his closet, by Juozas Mikuzis Jr of Homer Glen).
• Reflections (father and son each have their own struggle but their faith gets them through, by Michael White of Joliet)

Drama runner-ups (3):

• Bobby (an escaped convict take refuge in a warehouse and bears his soul as he relives his life, by Chuck Soumar of Lyons).
• Eyes of Deception (a husband and wife confront a serious issue in their marriage that leads to a happy resolution or does it?, by Derek Braasch of Wood Dale).
• Primary Suspect (a mother’s son has unexpectedly disappeared. Two detectives take on the case, but where will the clues lead them?, by Megan Coleman of Shorewood).

Drama honorable mention:

• A Special Jewel (thousands of years ago, a jewel of immense power was lost. It has resurfaced and it’s up to private eye Mike O’Connor to stop it from falling into the wrong hands, by Andre Boyd from Aurora).

Music winner:

• Hustlin’ Shufflin’ Crew (family friendly basketball rap-parody – what’s not to love, by Paul Barile of Chicago).

Tickets are available at the park, online (www.TicketTailor.com) and at the door. The lobby will open at 1:00 pm. Concessions will be available, including a cash bar. The event is produced by Will-Joliet Bicentennial Park, Inc., a 501c3 nonprofit.  The Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre is located at 201 West Jefferson Street, Joliet. For more information: 815-724-3761, www.bicentennialpark.org.

(click here for flyer below)