The window is closing to support the Oak Park IL Film Festival and be listed in our program. The deadline is Aug. 20 for your name or ad to be in the printed program, though you can still be listed on our website after that.
The festival of films with Oak Park connections opens at the Lake Theatre, Sept. 16, focusing on, and including an interview with, Tavi Gevinson, and continues with juried independent films, special features and food at Madison Street Theater that Saturday and Sunday.
It’s an often heard expression at nonprofit performing arts events that ticket sales only cover less than half our expenses and it is true for us as well. The rest must come from generous donors and business sponsors.
On Aug. 19, you can go to the Nineteenth Century Charitable Association to view some winning films from past festivals and make a donation there. Selections include comedy, drama and documentary shorts. All the directors will be there for a Q&A. We are thankful to the NCCA for donation of the space. For details see our website.
This year we are grateful for financial support from the village of Oak Park and especially state Senator Don Harmon, but more is needed from the community to support our continued growth. We have also received an anonymous donation for a stipend for a publicist, so you can be sure your statement of support will be seen by even more than the hundreds who attended last year. Individual donations of just $25 or business sponsors of $100 or more are listed in the program. Benefits go up from there. Food vendor donors are also wanted and we do publicize the source of the donations. To see the options and the festival details go to http://www.opilff.org.
Thank you for supporting this local cultural treasure.
Joyce Porter
Executive director, Oak Park IL Film Festival