The Blue Whiskey Independent Film Festival is proud to sponsor a FREE SCREENING of Steven Spielberg‘s science-fiction family classic, E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial in celebration of the film’s 30th Anniversary!  Come on out to the Palatine Park District’s Fred P. Hall Amphitheater (262 East Palatine Road in Palatine) on Wednesday, June 6th.  At sundown (approximately 8:30 p.m.), the film will be projected on a large 25′ screen.  While popcorn and candy will be available for purchase, guests are welcome to pack a picnic of their own!  Bring lawn chairs, blankets and experience this incredible motion picture with an audience.

E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial is both a classic movie for kids and a remarkable portrait of childhood. It is a sci-fi adventure that captures that strange moment in youth when the world is a place of mysterious possibilities (some wonderful, some awful), and the universe seems somehow separate from the one inhabited by grown-ups. Henry Thomas plays Elliott, a young boy living with his single mother (Dee Wallace), his older brother Michael (Robert MacNaughton), and his younger sister Gertie (Drew Barrymore). Elliott often seems lonely and out of sorts, lost in his own world. One day, while looking for something in the back yard, he senses something mysterious in the woods watching him. And he’s right: an alien spacecraft on a scientific mission mistakenly left behind one of their own.  As Elliott tries to keep the alien under wraps and help him figure out a way to get home, he discovers that the creature can communicate with him telepathically. Soon they begin to learn from each other, and Elliott becomes braver and less threatened by life. E.T. rigs up a communication device from junk he finds around the house, but no one knows if he’ll be rescued before a group of government scientists gets hold of him.

Mark your calendars for Wednesday, June 6 and be sure to come out to the Fred P. Hall Amphitheater to re-experience this amazing classic.  In the event of bad weather, the screening will move to the Cutting Hall Performing Arts Center (150 East Wood Street in Palatine).

The Blue Whiskey Independent Film Festival is proud to announce that BandCalledCatch will be opening the 2012 festival on Tuesday, July 24!  The band has shared bills with Edward Sharp & the Megnetic Zeros, Crash Kings, Cory Chisel & the Wondering Sons, The Trippin’ Billies, Grace Potter & the Nocturnals and hundreds of other talented musicians.  The group has played all over Chicago, including venues such as: the Cubby Bear, House of Blues, Elbo Room, Hard Rock Cafe and the Congress Theatre to name a few.  They’ve also played in New York, Los Angeles, Jacksonville, St. Louis and many more.

The dynamic, fun rock sound created by BandCalledCatch is best experienced in person.  It’s all about the live show, the connection between the band and the audience and the story of the song.  The music is like Jello; no matter where you are, there’s always room for it.  This year, they are getting ready to release their latest album since 2009.

Opening night at the Blue Whiskey Independent Film Festival is free admission, but you will still need a ticket for entry.  Contact the Cutting Hall Box Office to reserve your tickets for BandCalledCatch today.  Call 847-202-5222 or email cuttinghall@palatineparks.org!

Official 2012 Call for Entries! As we begin our third year, we’re very excited to announce that for the first time we will now be accepting submissions through Withoutabox!  This opportunity was made possible by the support of our local community and the generous donations made at the CNGM 2012 Insider this past Saturday, November 12.  From all of us at the festival, we’d like to thank you for all of your help in obtaining our goal.

Attention Local Filmmakers! Please take note of our newest submission category: Illinois Film.  This new category (which also features a discounted submission fee) was developed for works produced in the state of Illinois or made by an Illinois filmmaker.  Films submitted in this category may be of any length, style or genre.  Films selected in this category will be eligible for the Best of Illinois Award (as well as other awards).  If you have any questions regarding this new category, feel free to contact our programming department.

Check out the Q&A video above with Conrad Jackson and Parker Croft of Falling Overnight.  Also, please continue to support our festival year round by attending and participating in our monthly Blue Whiskey Cinema (BWC) series.  Click “BWC” on the menu above or visit BlueWhiskeyCinema.com for screening dates, times and other information.

Congratulations to all the award winners for their incredible work and incredible films!  In addition, thank you to all who attended the festival this year!  Keep an eye out for our 2012 Call for Entries this August.

And the winners are…

Best of Fest
Falling Overnight

Audience Favorite
The Wanteds

Best Narrative Feature
Falling Overnight

Best Documentary
The Wanteds

Best Short Film
Bathing and the Single Girl

Best Music Video
Sadness is a Blessing

Best Experimental
Ghost

Best Animation
The Eagleman Stag

Best Director
Kyle Smith for Turkey Bowl

Best Screenplay
David Dusa, Mike Sens, Raphaelle Maes and Louise Moliere for Fleurs du mal (Flowers of Evil)

Best Actor
Parker Croft for Falling Overnight

Best Actress
Sarah Lassez for The Dead Inside

Best Supporting Actor
Tom DiMenna for Turkey Bowl

Best Supporting Actress
Kerry Bishe for Turkey Bowl

Best Editing
Yannick Coutheron and Nicholas Houver for Fleurs du mal (Flowers of Evil)

Best Sound
Gypsy Sound for Absentia

Best Cinematography
Jean-Phillippe Gossart for Odd Shoe

Best Production Design
Shannon Hourigan for The Dead Inside

Best Original Music
Rob Lane for Odd Shoe