Saturday, September 23, 2017
7:00pm-10:30pm
Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin, IL, 60120

The Elgin Short Film Festival (ESFF) is returning for its ninth year! The ESFF has drawn film entries from around the world making this an impressive event that has entertained film lovers since 2009.

The fabulous and always witty Mike Toomey, a regular performer on the WGN Morning News, will again bring his comedic talents as Master of Ceremonies to present this year’s finalists.

Winners will be selected by a panel of celebrity judges, and audience members will cast their votes for their favorite film. The audience vote has had an impact on who has won in previous years. In other words, your vote does count!  Awards and monetary prizes will be presented to the top three films.

Festival Highlights:

• The Top Six Films will be shown in the intimate 1,200-seat theater of The Hemmens Cultural Center on the evening of Saturday, September 23, 2017. Beginning at 6:15 PM the filmmakers and judges will walk and be interviewed on the red carpet before entering The Hemmens Cultural Center. The film screening starts at 7:00 PM.

• Bonus Feature: Chamber Music on the Fox will present a live chamber music performance of a new score to accompany the screening of Charlie Chaplin’s silent film, The Tramp. The performance, which combines the classic film from 1915 with music composed by Daron Hagen in 2015, will feature a 7-piece ensemble including internationally acclaimed pianist Yana Reznik. The performance starts at 5:30 PM before the Red Carpet Reception. ESFF ticket required.
• The ESFF will feature a Live Action category and an Animation category.