815HORTS: A 5HORT Film Festival returns to Rockford for its second annual screening.
Set for Saturday, December 2, 2023, at the RPL Nordlof Center, 118 N. Main St., Rockford, the short film festival is divided into three blocks: 815HORTS Matinees at 3 p.m., 2023 Sundance Shorts Tour at 5 p.m. and 815HORTS Prime Time at 7 p.m.
The short film festival will be screening 13 short films: 7 short films by Rockford area natives and two short films by Oscar-nominated filmmakers.
One of the Oscar-nominated filmmakers is Bing Liu, the creator behind the Oscar-nominated documentary, “Minding the Gap.” The Rockford native and former Rock Valley College graduate, Bing Liu, is returning to Rockford to premiere his new documentary, “What the Hands Do.”
In addition to Bing Liu’s documentary, three short films worked on by 17 current and former RVC students are being screened at the festival:
“Because I Love You:” A short film made in RVC’s 2023 Motion Picture class.
- Director, Writer, Editor and Music: Corbin Rivers (Current RVC student)
- Director of Photography and Colorist: Bryce Jeong (Current RVC student)
- Writer: Jacob Guerrero (Current RVC student)
- Music: Justin Akin (Current RVC student)
- Sound: Jonathon Stinson, Carmen Sanchez, Angely Bautista and Sebastian Shilling (Current RVC students)
“32 White Teeth:” A short film made for the 48 Hour Film Project 2023.
- Directors and Producers: Nathan Talan and Luca Sauceda (Former RVC students)
- Director of Photography, Colorist and Producer: Nick Talan (Former RVC student)
- Writer and Editor: Max Burke (Former RVC student)
- 2nd Assistant Camera and Producer: Lonnie Iske (Former RVC student)
- Sound: Mike Leaman (Former RVC student)
“A Cloudy Moon:” A short film made for the 48 Hour Film Project 2023 that has screened at the Cannes Short Film Corner and many other short film festivals.
- Director, Music and Producer: T.J. Hill (Former RVC student)
- Director of Photography: Nathan Talan (Mentioned as a Director for “32 White Teeth”)
- 1st Assistant Director: Shelby Hill (Former RVC Student)
- Writer and Sound: Aaron Hill (Former RVC student)
After the screening, there will be a 5HORT Talk interview featuring Bing Liu moderated by Peter Hawley, Director of the Illinois Film Office. The interview will be followed by awards for the Best 5HORT and Best Local/Regional 5HORT.
If interested in attending, purchase tickets at: https://filmfreeway.com/815HORTS/tickets. Tickets at the door will also be available. General admissions tickets are $15, and student tickets are $10 if you have a student ID. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Purchase of a ticket grants you access to the Lunch and Learn: The 5HORT Route, a workshop from noon to 2 p.m. at City Stage Studios, 811 First Ave., where up to 50 aspiring Rockford area filmmakers can learn from industry professionals. Once you purchase your ticket, email Nick@PlusSevenCompany.com by Friday, November 24, to confirm your spot.
If you’re looking for more info visit: https://www.plussevencompany.com/815horts.
This is exciting! I will attend and share this event with friends and colleagues! 🙂