The Indie Awards at Indiefest Film Festival in Chicago were swept Sunday evening by first time director Marty Sader and his film “Most High”. The film won Best Feature, The Indiefest Vision Award (best of fest), and the Sundance Channel Audience Choice Award. Sader also won Best Director and Best Actor for his groundbreaking performance as Julius a troubled young man with a serious crystal meth addiction. Awards were given to other standout films including: “Underground” directed by Kristen Dehnert and Aimee Lagos for Best Short and Best Editing (Logan Breit); Best Actress went to Debra Miller in “Zen Noir”; “Four Dead Batteries” by Hiram Martinez won for Best Screenplay; and Best Cinematography went to Lisa Rinzler for “Rick”. The Indiefest Screenwriting Competition also announced its winners on Sunday with First Place going to Kate Lueker-Eaton for her script “To See A Flower”; Second Place went to Terry Schwartz, Robert Birnberg & Dan Halperin for their script “Sweet Home Chicago”; “Good Guys Bad Guys” by Mark Halverson and Al Bodnar took Third Place. “Most High” had its World Premiere at Indiefest on August 2nd and audiences were moved by the style, performances, and originality of the film. News of the film quickly spread around the city of Chicago and audiences quickly responded awarding the film the Sundance Channel Audience Choice Award. The film is currently in distribution negotiations. *** For more information please contact Jennifer, Indiefest Director of Marketing and Public Relations (773) 665-7600.

Indiefest Film Festival is proud to welcome the world’s independent film community to Chicago with its opening night film, the Chicago premiere of “Lightning Bug”. The film, directed by Robert Hall, stars Laura Prepon (That 70’s Show), Bret Harrison (The OC, Grounded For Life), Hal Sparks (Queer as Folk), and Don Gibb (Revenge of the Nerds). The opening night festivities will begin with the Chicago Shorts Program at 7pm, followed by a brief welcome, and “Lightning Bug” at 9pm. The event will take place at our main screening location at the Biograph Theatre (2433 N. Lincoln).

“Lightning Bug” is a dramatic thriller set in the south about a young boy who longs to escape the misery of his childhood and the misunderstanding of his hometown. A gifted self-taught special effects make-up artist, Green dreams of going to Hollywood to make his own monsters. But the real demons of Green's life threaten to hold him back; A drunken stepfather who terrorizes his mother, a group of religious fanatics who want to destroy his work, and the love of a girl who can't let go of small town life.

Indiefest 2004 includes more than fifty independent films representing ten countries. Forty-nine films in the festival are Chicago premieres, and thirteen are world premieres. Indiefest has many other special events during the ten-day fest including seminars and a Film and Script Market. Each evening of the festival will conclude with an after-party at a Chicago “hot spot”, please see the program or website for party schedule. The festival will wrap up on August 8th with the 2004 Indiefest Awards.

For Indiefest programs, screening times, tickets, and additional information please visit the festival’s website at www.indiefestchicago.com.

*Media: For more information or to schedule an interview with Festival Director Lee Alan, please contact Jennifer at (773) 665-7600.

Indiefest Film Festival and Market is pleased to announce their selections for their 2004 festival. Indiefest takes place July 30th through August 8th at Chicago’s Biograph Theatre.

“Lightning Bug”, directed by Robert Hall and starring Hal Sparks (Queer as Folk), Laura Prepon (That 70’s Show), and Don Gibb (Revenge of the Nerds), is set to open Indiefest. Other film highlights include Curtiss Clayton’s “Rick”, starring Bill Pullman (Independence Day), Jeff Balsmeyer’s “Danny Deckchair”, starring Rhys Ifans (Notting Hill), and the world premiere of “Most High”, directed by and starring versatile newcomer Marty Sader.

This year’s Indiefest includes more than fifty independent films representing ten countries. Many films US and world premieres, and nearly every film is a Chicago premiere. The Audience Choice Award, given at Indiefest 2004’s Awards Ceremony, is sponsored by Sundance Channel (an Official Sponsor of Indiefest). The Closing Night film, scheduled to screen after the Awards Ceremony, will be the winner of The Indiefest Vision Award.

Indiefest has many other special events during the ten-day fest including parties, seminars and a film and script market. The Indiefest Market, held August 7th and 8th, will give distribution and acquisitions executives, agents, producers, investors, and the general public a first look at hundreds of film projects. Film projects in various stages of development as well as completed films will be represented. The Market will be held at Le Meridien Hotel (The Official Hotel Sponsor of Indiefest 2004) on Michigan Avenue. Each evening of the festival will conclude with an after-party at a Chicago “hot spot”, see the program or website for party schedule.

For more Indiefest information, go to the festival’s website at www.indiefestchicago.com.

*Media: For more information or to schedule an interview with Festival Director Lee Alan, please contact Jennifer at (773) 665-7600.

Indiefest, Film Festival & Market, is pleased to announce their 2004 call for entries. Indiefest celebrates the "vision without compromise" attitude and spirit of the independent filmmaker. Indiefest is a film festival incorporating a competitive showcase of the best independent films and videos, a well-known screenwriting competition, a film and script market and a ten-day party. Indiefest brings the world's film community to the beautiful city of Chicago. This year's festival is scheduled to take place from July 30 th to August 8 th , 2004.

Sponsors of Indiefest 2004 include: The Sundance Channel, DiscMakers (The Official DVD Replicator of Indiefest), Atom Groom Design Studio, Cyclone Productions, Inc., Chicago Community Cinema, and Avid (which will be awarding a copy of their Avid Xpress Pro software to the film awarded the "Vision Award" at Indiefest 2004). Visit the Indiefest website (www.indiefestchicago.com) for a complete, up-to-date list of our sponors.

Filmmakers and writers whose works are presented at Indiefest will receive passes to all Indiefest events, including all film screenings, and booth space at the film and script market. The festival market, where filmmakers and writers will be able to market their projects to film and talent executives, will also open space to a limited number of individuals regardless of their status in Indiefest.

Indiefest is eager to showcase emerging talent, therefore there are no strict eligibility requirements. There is one major requirement: films financed or produced by major studios or their affiliates are not eligible. Films and videos of all lengths and genres will be accepted. Screenplays, scripts, novels, and short stories will be accepted into the writing competition, which is presented by the renowned Screenwriter's Project.

The final deadline for submissions is June 1, 2004. Potential applicants may obtain additional information and application forms by visiting www.indiefestchicago.com or send a SASE to Indiefest, PO Box 148849, Chicago, IL 60614-8849.

Indiefest, Independent Film Festival & Market, is pleased to announce that Sundance Channel has been named an "Official Sponsor" of Indiefest 2004. With a similar appreciation for independent filmmakers, Indiefest and Sundance are logical partners. Indiefest, which "celebrates the 'vision without compromise' spirit of the independent fimmaker, will take place July 30 - August 8, 2004. Indiefest 2003 discovered the indie film "Bachelorman", awarding it "Best Feature", which recently obtained distribution and will hit theatres across the country this April.

Additional sponsors of Indiefest 2004 include: DiscMakers, The Official DVD Replicator of Indiefest, Atom Groom Design Studio, Cyclone Productions, Inc., Chicago Community Cinema, and Avid, which will be awarding a copy of their DV Xpress Pro software to the film awarded the "Vision Award" at Indiefest 2004.

Indiefest is continuing to accept applications for the 2004 festival. The film and video section of the festival accepts films/videos of all lengths and genres. The screenwriting competition, sponsored by the renown Screenwriter's Project, accepts screenplays, novels, short stories, etc. that can be adapted to the screen.

The deadlines for entry are as follows: Early Deadline - March 1, 2004, Regular Deadline - May 1, 2004, and Late Deadline - June 1, 2004. Potential applicants may obtain additional information and application forms by visiting www.indiefestchicago.com or send a SASE to Indiefest, PO Box 148849, Chicago, IL 60614-8849.

For additional information, interviews, etc. please contact our PR Director, Jennifer Alan, at (773) 665-7600.

Indiefest, Film Festival & Market, is pleased to announce their 2004 call for entries. Indiefest celebrates the "vision without compromise" attitude and spirit of the independent filmmaker. Indiefest is a film festival incorporating a competitive showcase of the best independent films and videos, a well-known screenwriting competition, a film and script market and a ten-day party. Indiefest brings the world's film community to the beautiful city of Chicago. This year's festival is scheduled to take place from July 30 th to August 8 th , 2004.

With the overwhelming success of Indiefest 2003, the 2004 festival is projected to place Indiefest among the rankings of the major film festivals. Indiefest 2003 sponsors included: 94.7ZONE radio (an ABC station), W Hotels, Village Entertainment, The Illinois Film Office, Chicago Community Cinema, Cyclone Productions, Ticketweb, Atom Groom Design Studio, etc. Nearly 7,000 attendees viewed some of the best independent films from the US and 10 other countries.

Filmmakers and writers whose works are presented at Indiefest will receive passes to all Indiefest events, including all film screenings, and booth space at the film and script market. The festival market, where filmmakers and writers will be able to market their projects to film and talent executives, will also open space to a limited number of individuals regardless of their status in Indiefest.

Indiefest is eager to showcase emerging talent, therefore there are no strict eligibility requirements. There is one major requirement: films financed or produced by major studios or their affiliates are not eligible. Films and videos of all lengths and genres will be accepted. Screenplays, scripts, novels, and short stories will be accepted into the writing competition, which is presented by the renowned Screenwriter's Project.

The deadlines for entry are as follows: Early Deadline - March 1, 2004, Regular Deadline - May 1, 2004, and Late Deadline - June 1, 2004. Potential applicants may obtain additional information and application forms by visiting www.indiefestchicago.com or send a SASE to Indiefest, PO Box 148849, Chicago, IL 60614-8849.

For additional information, interviews, etc. please contact our PR Director, Jennifer Alan, at (773) 665-7600.