First Tuesdays with the Midwest Independent Film Festival:

The World Premiere of OSSO BUCCO, starring Illeana Douglas

Directors Gary Taylor and Fred Blurton attending

Chicago, IL - The Midwest Independent Film Festival will launch its 2008 season with the World Premiere of the Chicago-produced comedy Osso Bucco on Tuesday, February 5th.  The feature stars Illeana Douglas (Ghost World, ABC’s Ugly Betty), Mike Starr (The Black Dahlia, Goodfellas) and features an exceptional supporting cast of Chicago talent.  Co-directors Gary Taylor and Fred Blurton will be in attendance for this premiere along with representative cast and crew.

JUST ANNOUNCED!  Lead actor Mike Starr will be flying in for this world premiere screening!  Mike will also be sitting in on our Producers Panel for the evening - click here for more about our five panelists!

Film Synopsis: It’s the night of the worst snowstorm in the history of Chicago. Jelly Dinotto (played by Mike Starr), a large, lovable and misfit mobster, is given his marching orders to return to Italy where, unbeknownst to him, his cousin Nick (Chicago’s Christian Stolte) is planning on having him killed.  Desperate to have one more veal osso bucco before he leaves town, Jelly drags Nick to Vesuvio’s restaurant. As the snow falls, Jelly and Nick become trapped inside the restaurant along with two underachieving Chicago detectives and the few, remaining restaurant employees.  Luckily for Jelly, Megan (played by Illeana Douglas), the earthy, compassionate waitress for whom he is carrying a huge torch, is one of those employees. Will Jelly find true love inside Vesuvio’s? Or will this osso bucco be his last?

Screening Information: Tuesday, February 5, 2008 -- screening begins with a Pre-Show Cocktail Reception (sponsored by GUINNESS Draught) at Landmark Century Centre Cinema (2828 North Clark) at 6 p.m. Our Producers Panel for the evening, "Bringing Hollywood Talent to Midwest Films," will take place in the theater at 6:30 p.m.  The filmmakers will be in attendance as OSSO BUCCO premieres promptly at 7:30 p.m. A post-screening reception will be held immediately following the film at Cousin's (2833 North Broadway). For more information, please visit www.MidwestFilm.com.

ABOUT THE MIDWEST INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL

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 that community. More information can be found on the Festival website: www.MidwestFilm.com.

This year’s festival sponsors include Resolution Digital Studios, O’Connor Casting, Zacuto, Fletcher Camera, Flashpoint Academy, Zipcar, Zaroban Design, The Illinois and Chicago Film Offices, Kodak, The Peshtigo, DKP Image, Mimi Productions, TK Audio, Stock Yard Films and Orbit Media Studios.

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