For more than 10 years, the Route 66 Film Festival has been screening independent films from around the world for Springfield audiences. Not that local filmgoers have always been aware of it. “I wear my festival button all the time,” says Route 66 executive board member Lana Wildman, “and I almost always have to explain to people what it’s about.”
What it is about, according to Wildman’s fellow board member Hugh Moore, is both simple to put into words and a challenge to achieve. “We are trying to bring high-quality, independent new directors to central Illinois.” Moore points out that, unlike Champaign’s annual EbertFest, founded by the late film critic and University of Illinois alum Roger Ebert, the Route 66 Festival regularly shows films from the international market. This year alone, 14 different countries will be represented, including Bulgaria, India and Spain.
One of the festival’s promotional challenges, along with an epidemic phobia of subtitles among large numbers of moviegoers, is the preconception that “independent” films will by definition be shoddily made. “Someone asked me the other day why they would even come to a festival of just independent movies,” recounts Moore. “I had to explain that independent movies aren’t what you remember from 30 years ago.”
He goes on to explain that, due to miniaturization and reduced costs for technology, the visual quality of independent movies has risen precipitously. “Good equipment is so accessible now, anybody can make a good-looking film. Even the most awful films we auditioned and refused to include this year at least looked good. It’s not like the old days when independent filmmaking meant a kid, a lot of beer and an 8mm camera. We want to dispel that myth. These are good movies, and we went through a lot of films to find the best ones we could.”
Changes in technology have also helped make the auditioning process, though still painstaking, relatively easy compared to the days of cumbersome film reels or VHS copies of prospective films being sent through the mail, thanks to streaming audition sites such as withoutabox.com, which for a fee allow festival organizers to view film submissions in the comfort of their homes. According to the festival’s communications and web specialist, Springfield resident Thea Chesley, “it’s sort of nice to sit at home in your pajamas with a glass of wine and look at these films online. Some of them are extremely good.”
The festival had its start back in 2002 as a project of a film club at Lincoln Land Community College, with a $10,000 grant from the school to hold student workshops. That first festival ran for two consecutive weekends. The first was well attended, boasting a personal appearance by square-jawed Evil Dead and Burn Notice star Bruce Campbell. However, an appearance by the star (and car) of the old Route 66 television series the second weekend failed to attract many people and Lincoln Land pulled out. The following year, festival founder Linda McElroy reconvened the financially depleted festival, using her credit card. Family members, friends and other volunteers contributed in various capacities and the 2003 and 2004 festivals were held at the Springfield Hilton, featuring films from Illinois, New York and California.
In 2005, McElroy began soliciting film submissions via the Internet, at which point the number of entries began to increase greatly. The festival, expanded into a three-day event, began breaking even financially and found a new home at the Hoogland Center for the Arts, where it stayed until 2011, when an increase in the facility’s fees made it necessary to move. During this period, the festival was named one of the “25 Festivals Worth the Fee” by Moviemaker Magazine and was one of five featured festivals at the International Film Festival Summit in Las Vegas. In 2012, Linda McElroy resigned as director and moved out of state, at which point the current board was formed to run the festival. It ran for two days at the Legacy Theatre in 2012. This year the festival will take place on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 1 and 2, at Capital City Bar and Grill, 3149 S. Dirksen Parkway, a venue boasting many advantages, including what promises to be a fun and informal “brew and view” atmosphere.
“Linda McElroy left us with a really good foundation,” says Hugh Moore, one of six Route 66 board members. “This is only our second year running the festival and there were some things both years that we’ve had to fix.” The board has found that running the Route 66 Festival is a painstaking year-round endeavor, merely culminating in the two days of screenings. The festival has an operating budget of around $4,000 and makes its money through donations, ticket sales and entry fees for films, according to outgoing festival director Tom Szpyrka. (Siobhan Johnson, the board member currently in charge of film acquisition, will take over as director for 2014.) This year alone there were 118 submissions, with only 51 movies – both short subjects and longer features, with running times ranging from three minutes to 112 minutes – making the final cut. Of these, 34 potential entrants hailed from other countries, with 84 from the United States. All filmmakers whose work is accepted into competition are invited to attend the festival, which provides two free tickets to each attending filmmaker and offers discounted lodging for those who make the trip. It is often surprising who does and doesn’t show up. “We’ve had filmmakers from Illinois who don’t come and filmmakers from India who do,” says Moore matter-of-factly. Directors and performers often show up just to be involved, including Silver Surfer actor Doug Jones, who appeared one year.
An element of the board’s learning curve that is still being implemented is the need to ensure that screenings are limited to age-appropriate audiences. Entries cover a spectrum of content from family-friendly films to others that are more intense and potentially controversial. The schedule on Saturday aims to address this disparity by starting the day showing all-ages material at 10 a.m., with the work “gradually evolving in maturity as the day goes on,” according to Chesley. This means, sensibly enough, that “G” and “PG” films will screen earlier in the day, with more “R-rated” material appearing later in the evening.
One innovation by the festival board during this past year was the choice to increase the event’s public profile through occasional screening events under the Route 66 banner throughout the year at various local venues. This week on Halloween night, the day before the festival proper begins, Z Bistro, 220 S. Sixth St., will be hosting a free screening of a sci-fi horror comedy with the promising title They Will Outlive Us All.
Entries to the festival are divided into several categories, including Animation, Comedy, Drama, Experimental, Foreign Language, Abe Lincoln or History, Student Showcase, and Made in Illinois. This year there is a special Military category, which will screen Friday night. Awards are given in several categories, including Best of Festival, Best Student Film, Best Illinois Film and the Audience Choice Award.
In the words of Hugh Moore, the Route 66 Film Festival represents “a chance for people to spend an afternoon or two in Springfield in a way they would never get to do otherwise.” As to why the average moviegoer might just be better off attending the festival than heading for one of Springfield’s three AMC multiplexes for a Hollywood blockbuster, Moore is blunt. “If you give anyone with an I.Q. over 120 a budget of $20 million, they can make a decent-looking movie. An independent filmmaker, though, has had to be clever, has had to be resourceful. These directors work that way because they have a story they need to tell. And that’s what’s fun!
“I mean really,” he laughs, “how many car chases do you need?”
Contact Scott Faingold at scottfaingold@gmail.com.
Scott Faingold will be posting updates to and previews of the Route 66 Film Festival’s roster throughout the coming week on his blog at http://tinyurl.com/l2pu9yc. He can be reached via sfaingold@illinoistimes.com.
A full schedule of films is on the next page.
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The Route 66 Film Festival Schedule
Friday, 11/1
MILITARY/VETERANS FILMS, 6:15– 8:00 p.m.
A Quest for Peace: Non-violence Among Religions—10 mins
Matthew Evans—Santa Maria, Calif.
Young filmmaker, Matthew J. Evans, takes a look at one of the most pressing issues in our modern society: violence among religions.
In Her Boots—14 mins
Stephen Erdman—California
Explores the struggles of a military wife working to provide strength for her own growing family while helping other military families through their trying times in her work as a Family Readiness Group leader .
Residue—7 mins
Robert Thorpe—California
Unable to cope with the memories of war, a Veteran contemplates suicide while his wife tries to take his mind off the thoughts running through his head.
Dog Tag—31 mins
Mark Finnell—Ferndale, Mich.
Dog Tag explores the effects of America’s longest war within a middle class, mid-western family, and reveals both the regret and love of a father and his son.
Over the Horizon—5 mins
Andrew Klein—San Francisco, Calif.
Over The Horizon uses two characters to explore the power of horizons and what they imply in our way of perceiving the world. A dividing line between a glass half empty, and a glass half full.
Not Anymore: A Story of Revolution—14 mins
Matthew VanDyke—Baltimore, Md.
The story of the Syrian revolution as told through the experiences of two young Syrians, a male rebel fighter and a female journalist, as they fight an oppressive regime for the freedom of their people.
Long Way Home (excerpt from the beginning of the film) – 15 mins
Thomas R. Jones, Sr.—Springfield, Il.
The transformation of Johnny Douglas, the boy that left home, to JD, the soldier that returned. A stranger to family and friends. The struggles faced by the family to understand what caused such dramatic changes.
(break of 20-30 minutes)
Heartshot—33 mins
Thomas Nicol—Champaign, Il.
In a not-so-distant dystopian future, a scientist supports his drug habit by poaching genetically engineered unicorns.
Sum Ba Kok Jil—49 mins
Hanuk Lee—Seoul, South Korea
Some people never repent their sins. But what happens when they become attacker and victim at the same time?
Hangars—16 mins
John Klein—Chicago, Il.
A dark horror comedy about Gabriel, a young wisecrack waging a battle against the ghost of his new apartment’s former tenant.
After Party – until 1:00 a.m.
Saturday 11/2
10 a.m.
Virtuous Virtuell – 7 mins
Thomas Stellmach – Kassel, Hessen, Germany
Synchronizing to the music, abstract ink drawings ‘grow’ in an interplay of curiosity, timid encounters, dynamic pursuits and confrontation, stimulating many emotions, which carry us off on a poetical journey to a musical world of pictures.
The Olympians – 4 mins
Karl Maddix – London, UK
The Gods of Olympus descend upon London during the Olympic Games. Our heroine Olympia, the embodiment of the Olympic flame must use her athletic prowess to defeat Hades atop Mount Olympus and relight the Olympic torch. A gorgeous and stylized animation of epic proportions.
Nauragos – 3 mins
Mario Rico – Bilbao, Spain
Two castaways separated by distance. All their hopes are pinned in the bottles that they just launch to the sea. A travel across the ocean looking for a hand to pick them up. Will they get someone to listen?
Wooing Wes Wilson – 11 mins
Thad Vassmer – Kingston, Il.
Delilah, a quirky 13 year old girl, determines to win the affections of her older sister’s boyfriend Wes Wilson in any way she can, including drumming.
Fe De Vida – 5 mins
Elena Frez – Bilboa, Spain
The main character goes to the Civil Registry General Office to request her birth certificate proof of identity.
Libby Girl: Bored Games – 4 mins
Janet Mayson – Bloomington, Il.
Libby Girl is a sweet Jack Russell Terrier who loves to play and explore. She is always looking for something fun and new to do, especially when she can include her little dog friends, Bruno and Rico. This time, Janet is running late, but Libby still finds a way to have her friends over for board game fun.
Beggar and the Road Kid – 10 mins
Ryan Caldwell – O’Fallon, Mo.
An old hobo’s begging territory is threatened when a young vagabond hitch hikes into town.
Sleight of Hand – 10 mins
Michael Cusack – Adelaide, SA, Australia
A set of techniques used by someone to manipulate objects secretly to deceive. This is a stop-motion film about illusions. A Man yearns to know his place in the world and how he fits in, when sometimes it’s better not to know.
Edgar’s Dance – 7 mins
Josh Mullins – St. Louis, Mo.
An elderly man becomes frustrated after not being able to leave his own home and it’s up to his daughter to try and comfort him.
Things My Father Never Taught Me – 7 mins
Burleigh Smith – East Perth, WA, Australia
Melvin gives dating advice to his three-year-old son.
Moonlight – 12 minutes
Michele McGovern – Chicago, Il.
Set in Chicago in the 1930’s, this is the fictional short silent film which reflects the conflicting emotions of love and death.
Chance of Rain – 15 mins
Phillip Wolter – Brooklyn, NY
Jason ducks into a psychic’s parlor to avoid the pouring rain only to be faced with a choice that will determine the rest of his life.
Break – 11:30 to Noon
12:00 noon
Butterfly Dreams – 22 mins
Venkat Krishnan – Culver City, Calif.
A nine-year-old girl in rural India, exploited by child labor, must find a way to pursue her dream – how to read and write. She has one last chance when an educated man comes to town.
El Delirio del pez leon – 4 mins
José Enrique Rivera Rivera – San Juan, Puerto Rico
Inspired by the Lionfish plague, this neo-noir film tells a story about greed and hierarchy in the Caribbean reefs.
Harlequin – 16 mins
Tara Alexis – Los Angeles, Calif.
Feeling entitled to more than she truly deserves, Claudia Davis decides to take on a new persona and begin robbing convenience stores.
88 Miles to Moscow – 20 mins
Karen Glienke – Los Angeles, Calif.
15-year-old Niki gets more than she bargained for when she sneaks off a train for a quick smoke, stumbling into an offbeat adventure involving her ex-con dad, troubled mother, and a young Russian garbage man.
Blackbird – 19 mins
Andrew Dena – Il.
An artistic young woman struggling with the constraints of her small town is forced to decide about her future when a mysterious stranger rolls into town.
Le Train Bleu – 18 mins
Stephanie Assimacopoulo – Paris, France
Paris – Gare De Lyon. Helie behaves as a true bounder, Selena, evermore in love, still wants to pick up the pieces. At the bar of ‘Le Train Bleu’, where they stop to have a last drink, neither one cannot imagine what will happen.
The Interviewer – 12 mins
Genevieve Clay – Petersham, NSW, Australia
Thomas Howell gets more than he’s bargained for in a job interview at a prestigious law firm; an insult about his tie, a rendition of Harry Potter and the chance to change the lives of a father and son.
Rose, Mary and Time – 38 mins
Hardeep Giani – London, UK
The film is a story of second chances. Barney is married – unhappily. He lost the love of his life around six years ago – she was murdered. Through the magic contained within a clock he inherited, and with the help of an old Indian shop keeper, Barney finds himself back in time, with the opportunity to save her… but life isn’t always as easy as that.
The Brother – 25 mins
Michael Stevantoni – Campbell River, BC, Canada
Mark Saddler left home when he was 18, dreaming of being a success in the city. Wanting a fresh start, he became estranged from his family. Now he is forced to return home when he learns of his brother’s death. Mark has to deal with the loose ends he left behind, beginning with facing his father and an old high school flame.
Al final del dia – 16 mins
Alvaro Garcia – Bilboa, Spain
A story about the last opportunities we are given along our lives which we cannot miss. Those opportunities for liberation, for reunion, to fill the gaps, and silences of the past.
The Rose of Turaida – 6 mins
Ryan Grobins – Adelaide, SA, Australia
Based on a true story set in 17th century Latvia, The Rose of Turaida tells of the tragedy of a beautiful young woman who makes the ultimate sacrifice for love and honor.
The White Room – 10 mins
Tom Doherty – Rockford, IL
The White Room is a powerful, emotional, psychological drama that follows a young man who wakes up trapped and confused in a mysterious room with no recollection as of how he came to be there. The events of the film play out in an unforeseeable direction that will leave a lasting impact on your life.
They Will Outlive Us All – 73 mins
Patrick Shearer – New York, N.Y.
New York City. 2016. In the years since Hurricane Sandy, the city has been brought to its knees by a series of ‘Frankenstorms.’ Roommates Margot and Daniel attempt to survive this ‘new’ New York by avoiding it at all costs. But with the advent of three strange deaths in their Brooklyn building, the world they’ve been hiding from begins knocking hard on the back door.
Break 5:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
Wind Up – 20 mins
Hadley Hillel – Seattle, Wash.
Wind Up follows the story of Jacob, a boy whose father has just died, leaving his mother unable to function. When he finds a toy monkey in the woods, dark events soon begin to unfold around him.
Puncture – 5 mins
Edward Lyons – Cronulla, NSW, Australia
When a self reliant business woman breaks down on a dark and isolated country road, she discovers that help can come from the strangest of strangers.
Only Thunder – 14 mins
Chris Ramirez – Elmwood Park, Il.
Only Thunder tells the story of a mysterious woman who pays a visit to a small town sheriff, where she confronts him with the knowledge of a secret he’s kept for 7 years.
Broken – 6 mins
Josh Wolff – Chicago, Il.
When Abel comes home unexpectedly to find a horrible surprise, he must literally deal with the fallout.
Thinking About You – 20 mins
Harrison Atkins – Brooklyn, N.Y.
Teenage Brandon’s telepathy has rendered him a social outcast who must wear a bulbous helmet at all times to prevent his subjectivity from leaking into other peoples’ minds. When he meets a new student, Janet, who suffers from the same condition, their love affair is instantaneous and explosive.
Worth – 17 mins
Nic Barker – Surrey Hills, VIC Australia
A couple kidnap a young woman to hold her wealthy father for ransom – but this seemingly simple crime holds grave consequences, when secrets and loyalties are tested.
Ella y el espejo – 30 mins
Hector Dominguez-Viguera – Bilbao, Spain
She and He have never spoken to each other because they don’t know language. It seems they are going to spend the rest of their lives together without any setback. But one day, She finds a strange object that will change her life forever.
Retrovisor – 6 mins
Alberto Lavin – Bilbao, Spain
A look in the rearview mirror.
El Lado Frio de la Almohada – 12 mins
Herminio Cardiel – Bilbao, Spain
A couple who just met is going to share a bed and its pillow that same night.
Hatboxes – 18 mins
Susana Darwin – Forest Park, Il.
Nadine, a secular Jewish lesbian, meets Orthodox Miriam though Miriam’s children. Nadine wants to cultivate her Jewish identity, where Miriam is dealing with doubts about her place in the world after her husband has left her. Their friendship grows and the chemistry between the women takes weight.
You Don’t Say – 112 mins.
Robert Alaniz – Frankfort, Il.
A successful career woman gets caught up in a comedic whirlwind of events, when a mystical necklace given to her as a gift from her boyfriend that may be causing her to uncontrollably speak her mind in the politically-correct world of corporate business.
This article appears in Oct 24-30, 2013.
