09-05-2025
Illinois offers $250 for top prize in state short film contest
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Illinois is asking student and young filmmakers, under 22 years old, to enter the Illinois Film Office's Shortcuts Short Film Contest.
The contest is put on by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.
The winner will receive $250 and their film will be screened at the 815HORTS festival in Rockford, which runs November 14-15. Submission guidelines are available at the .
'DCEO's Illinois Film Office continues to serve as an integral partner for the 815HORTS festival,' said DCEO Director Kristin Richards. 'I encourage eligible filmmakers throughout the state to submit their short films to the Shortcuts contest for their chance to be featured on the big screen as part of Illinois' world-class film industry.'
'We're so grateful to the Illinois Film Office for its continued partnership with 815HORTS and our film program in Rockford,' said Nicholas Povalitis, founder, Plus Seven company and program director, 815HORTS. 'With the return of Shortcuts and its integration into 815HORTS, we are now able to improve on one of our most important festival goals – reaching the many aspiring and talented student filmmakers throughout the state. It's an honor to help IFO uplift young filmmakers and we're thankful for this opportunity.'
Film productions spent $653 million in Illinois in 2024. The state offers a Film Production Tax Credit and launched a Film & TV Workforce Training Program to incentivize production.
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