The Midwest Independent Film Festival is the nation's only film festival solely dedicated to the Midwest filmmaker, presenting audiences with regionally produced independent cinema every first Tuesday of the month at Landmark Century Centre Cinema, 2828 North Clark in Chicago.

 

This year-round film festival sits proudly at the center of the independent film scene in Chicago and the Midwest and is dedicated to celebrating and strengthening the Midwest filmmaking community.


FESTIVAL DIRECTOR

Mike McNamara


FESTIVAL CO-FOUNDER
Michael Kwielford

 

ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS

Neil Kocsis

Cannon Kinnard

Scott Pillsbury

Eric Bednarowicz

Emily Skyle


EVENT COORDINATOR

Betsey Palmer

 

DIRECTOR OF SUBMISSIONS

Ryan Jagiello


FESTIVAL ADVISORY COUNCIL

Council President: Mary Kay Cook

 

Mitch Apley, Resolution Digital Studios

Bryan Dowling, Media8Midwest

Tom Fletcher, Fletcher Camera & Lenses

Hillel Frankel, Movietrax

Rich Moskal, Chicago Film Office

Justine Nagan, Kartemquin Films

David O'Connor, O'Connor Casting

Joan O'Connor, O'Connor Casting

Frankie Piccirilli, Reverse Momentum Foundation

Anthony Roberts, Ravinia

Andrew Schneider, SCREEN Magazine

Michael Starcevich, Leo Burnett

Betsy Steinberg, Illinois Film Office

 

Click here for our Best of the Midwest Awards Gala Host Committee


EVENT STAFF
Kurt Pennypacker, Graphic Design
Michael O'Rourke, Grant Writing/Screening Committee
Ryan Jagiello, Screening Committee Coordinator
Jessica Fike, Screening Committee

Josh Arteaga, Screening Committee

Patrick Dugan, Screening Committee

Pat McDonald, Screening Committee/Awards Jury

Dieter Frank, Awards Jury

Nat Dykeman, Awards Jury

Amanda Cowper, Regional Ambassador
Nathan Polzin, Regional Ambassador

Rachel Weckerly
Amanda Blakley
Christian Meenaghan

Erica Sharpe
Margaret Hee
Thomas Kelly

Amy Hendricks

Darrel Hager

Namratha George
Andy Guschwan

Erin Allen

Jyll Christolini

Cynthia Appleby

Marlys Caceres

Christine Perez

Chris Pender

Michael Riseman
Mary McNamara
Katie McNamara
Zach Swangstu


 PHOTOGRAPHER

Heather Stumpf Photography


This film festival is made possible in part by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, which receives funds from the National Endowment for the Arts.