Great Lakes Film Fest Homepage Film Festival Mission StatementThe Great Lakes Independent Film Festival is dedicated to showcasing independent films in the digital medium.Founder's VisionIt was not without reservation that we set out to make a reality of our dream. We set out to establish an independent film festival that would celebrate the characteristics that we held central to the ultimate truth of the cinematic arts. We did not know who would attend, but we knew what type of people we wanted to attract. We wanted to share the cinematic marvel with people who loved films for the same reasons that we do. Films have the ability to tell a story that expresses the artist's vision in a way that no other medium is able to offer. Filmmaking shows the ultimate truth in a way that words could never achieve. Film is the one medium that has the ability to move us to tears, laughter, fear, exaltation, and countless other emotions all within the span of a few moments.It is with all of these values in mind that the Great Lakes Film Association continues its mission, hosting events year round, always striving to improve not only our festivals, but the cinematic arts.About the Film FestConsidered among the top 100 film festivals in the world, The Great Lakes Independent Film Festival was started with only imagination and vision, dedicating itself to presenting the works of independent filmmakers and outstanding achievements in cinema. The Great Lakes Independent Film Festival showcases the hybrid of filmmaking in the digital age. From music videos to the feature narrative genre to ..ary to animation and experimental "film", the Great Lakes Film Association celebrates the film arts in dynamic transition.The 2007 Great Lakes Independent Film Festival will take place September 26th Thru September 30th 2007 at The Roadhouse Theatre for Contemporary Art. The fun filled event will include celebrities, parties, film screenings, award ceremonies, industry professionals, and much more. More information on bookings, events, and activities will be available in the near future. Please check back often for updates or sign up for our Mailing List to get the latest news and information on upcoming GLFA shows and events.The Great Lakes Independent Film Festival celebrates the film arts in dynamic transition. As emerging technologies continue to redefine the form, filmmakers from the Great Lakes, across the country and around the world express the common and the diverse through the age old tradition.
-- The art of the story. Festivals are like a family. They allow those in the cinema world to meet in one place with the same experiences and similar goals, to mingle and interact with others, getting feedback on what they already accomplished and what is yet to come. Each year, filmmakers come together for five days, making friendships and bonds that will last a lifetime.
Filmmaking shows the ultimate truth in a way that words could never achieve. Film is the one medium that has the ability to move us to tears, laughter, fear, exaltation, and countless other emotions all within the span of a few moments. We're just glad to be apart of it.Film Festivals are not just for the wealthy, red carpet type of people but also for the guy that lives next door to you with a wife and 5 kids and wakes up every morning to head off to the steel mill, automotive plant, or the rubber plant. Film Festivals are here to open minds and to what can be achieved in a short time period and with the smallest of budgets. Films can range from 30secs to 8hrs and does not need the Hollywood seal of approval to be astonishing. All of us that are behind the Independent Film Festivals are here to bring people in to showcase their films but not to profit off another's accomplishments. We are here to help others achieve their goals and to go beyond where they thought was possible doing it all on their own. We do not succeed if we have not helped filmmakers reach their goals partially or entirely. Every year we get new filmmakers and each year those filmmakers come back with a new project and its unbelievable to how much they have learned and their work has advanced in a years time.The Great Lakes Film Festival will take place every fall in the great city of Erie, PA at The Roadhouse Theatre. Centrally located, Erie is only a short drive from the cities of Cleveland, OH, Buffalo, NY, and Pittsburgh, PA.
One of the unique things about the Great Lakes Independent Film Festival is its home, Erie, Pennsylvania. Our forty-mile slice of Lake Erie waterfront bears no resemblance to the major urban centers of Pittsburgh or Philadelphia, being entirely low-rise and extremely leafy; indeed you hardly realize you are downtown until you find yourself in the shady park-like town square, on 6th Street between the main thoroughfares of Peach and State streets. There are several places of cultural interest in the city, all within walking distance of our festival, several museums devoted to history, art and science; among these, the Erie Maritime Museum has a fascinating display on the geological and ecological development of the Great Lakes and also focuses on warships of different periods; the elegant US Brig Niagara is usually moored outside and is part of the museum. Undoubtedly, Erie's main attraction is the elongated comma-shaped peninsula of Presque Isle State Park, which bends east from its narrow neck three miles west of downtown until it almost touches the city's northernmost tip. The park is maintained as a nature preserve and has wide sandy beaches good for swimming, backed by thick woods offering a series of trails. Erie is perfect for not only an enjoyable 5 day weekend to visit a film fest, but with all of its historic and picturesque locations, it is also ideal for filming, able to give the real look of any location around the world at a much lower budget cost for the struggling filmmaker. The Great Lakes Independent Film Festival is the first film festival, world wide, to be on the cutting edge of film presentation, completely utilizing the DLP technology by Texas Instruments. Our festival believes that in the near future filmmakers and movie-goers alike will not only want such technology, but will demand the DLP technology, and that is why we are bringing it to the filmmakers and the public now.Each year the Great Lakes Independent Film Festival takes place at the Roadhouse Theatre for Contemporary Art. Since 1988, The Roadhouse Theatre for Contemporary Art has produced professional-level theatre that challenges audiences, expands the intellect, and provokes the senses. Located in the heart of downtown Erie in a former church, the 245 seat venue boasts intriguing decor, fabulous art works by local artists and a spacious coffeehouse where local musicians, actors, magicians and other artists perform in a cabaret setting. The Roadhouse Theatre is also handicap accessible. Awarding outstanding filmmakers and script writers for Best Script; Best of Genre; Best of the Fest; Best Cinematography; Best Director; Best Actor; Best Actress, and more, the Great Lakes Independent Film Festival is an excellent stop on the fest circuit for filmmakers interested in having their film presented to a very warm and welcoming audience, meeting celebrities, parties, and networking with phenomenal filmmakers from across the country and around the world to the award ceremonies, industry professionals, and much more. For the filmmaker that is looking for a bit more, the Great Lakes Independent Film Festival is also a great place to get your film noticed. Our film festival has showcased over 330 films over the past 5 years including numerous films that have been aired on HBO, PBS, and the Sundance channel. In October of 2004 we were proud to present the North East United States Premiere of "SAW" Lions Gate Films' gripping psychological thriller starring Cary Elwes, Danny Glover, Monica Potter and Leigh Whannel, and with "The Collector of Bedford Street" having been nominated for an Academy Award after being screened at our 2002 fest, we certainly bring the best and the brightest to the shores of Erie Pa. The association has also been host to such filmmakers and special guests as actor/director/producer Dirk Benedict(Battlestar Galactica and A-Team); writer Erick Rodgers (Writer of NYPD Blue); director/producer Harri James (script supervisor "Alias", Tremors II: Aftershocks, Tremors 4: The Legend Begins); producer Otto Felix ("B.J. and the Bear" & Up in Smoke); award winning, best selling mystery author Jamian Snow (Shrouded Insanity); actor/writer/producer Bill Hinzman (Flesheater & Night of the Living Dead); director Lloyd Kaufman (Toxic Avenger films, Pot Zombies, & President of Troma Films); actor Gunnar Hansen (Chainsaw Massacre); actor/ director Mark Borchardt (American Movie & Coven); director John Hancock ("Hill Street Blues", "The Twilight Zone", & California Dreaming); actress Debbie Rochon "Scream Queen" (Blood Relic, Vampyre Tales, & Lord of the Undead); producer/director Bobby Logan (Meatballs 4 & Repossessed); Joel Miller: WWE and ECW wrestling superstar The Blue Meanie, and in 2002 we had the unique opportunity to present Keith Carradine with a special award for artistic excellence, award winning director Joone, award winning actress Jesses Jane, and actress Marie Madison.The legendary Terry Moore who was our special guest of honor in 2006 was presented with a lifetime Achievement Award for her amazing accomplishments in film over the past 60 years.The Great Lakes Independent Film Festival continues to seek out the best and brightest of independent film and filmmakers. What People Say About The Great Lakes Film Fest"This is a festival where people who are passionate about films get a chance to show their work before the public and get some feedback. And both sides can talk to each other about movies, the business, or whatever's on their mind."Dave Richards - Erie Times News
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The Great Lakes Film Fest gave me my start. In 2005 my screenplay Santa Claus Goes to Pirate Island was a runner-up. It went on to place at the Beverly Hills Film Fest, The Phoenix Film Fest, The Script Dig Film Fest, and was named one of the 20 Best Scripts of 2006 by Script P.I.M.P. Santa Claus is now in development with the producers of the soon to be released film Car Babes. If it weren't for the initial success at the GLIFF, it might still be sitting on my shelf! Erie is a fun place and I'm glad it all started there at the Roadhouse for me!Pat Bates - Scriptwriter
___________________________________________________________From being picked up at the airport by a really cool local filmmaker, free beers, live music shows, great selection of films to watch, riding in a limo with Terry Moore, more free beers, great vibe and constantly being treated as a VIP I couldn't have had a better experience than the 2006 Great Lakes Scriptwriting competition and Film Festival. You guys rock,Michael Engel - Scriptwriter
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CONGRATS. SOUNDS LIKE YOU MADE THIS THING A REAL DEAL.BESTS,OTTO FELIX Filmmaker/Producer
___________________________________________________________I was a script writing participant and one of the winners in the Great Lakes Film Fest. I went to Erie for the occasion and found it to be a delightful town with many wonderful sights and great dining places. The officials at the Festival were helpful and courteous at all levels and made my visit a pleasure. They had time for their guests even while conducting the major task of keeping things running smoothly. I take my hat off to Steve Opsanic, his hard working assistant, Kelly, and to all of the others at GLFA who helped make this event such a success.Bill Wellborn - Scriptwriter
___________________________________________________________The Great Lakes Film Festival was a great experience. I have been to several events of this nature and I have to say that I met such a wide diverse of talent and made film industry friends that I continue on staying in contact with. I watched some great film work that makes me proud to be in the Independent Film Industry. Also, the festival staff is very accommodating and friendly and the theater acoustics are awesome.Our film (The Derby Stallion) won Best Narrative Feature which was cool of course, but my opinion would be the same regardless. I highly recommend the The Great Lakes Film Festival to anyone who has an interest in this direction.Leisa Coffman
Tonja Walker Productions
Director of Marketing
If interested in purchasing the film "The Derby Stallion", please contact them on their website
The Derby Stallion ___________________________________________________________
"A great festival in a great theater with great people. The Great Lakes Film Festival was a whole lot of fun. The Flying Canter Brothers - Filmmaker
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The Great Lakes Film Festival rocked Steve, Kelly, and Christian couldn't have been cooler! Great people, damn good music at the bars, and a shit load of fun. I'll be back Mr. Opsanic and yes that is a threat! Joel Miller
Your favorite roadie/film maker
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"KillerWolf Films had a terrific experience working with everyone at the Great Lakes Film Festival. We were treated very well, and Great Lakes came through on delivering everything it promised and then some! You can see the effort that Steve and everyone puts into this festival and I would not hesitate to submit my work to the festival again."Len Kabasinski ~ KillerWolf Films
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The Great Lakes Independent Film Festival is an amazing collaborative effort that brings together so many talented people. The films are amazing, the people are amazing, and the interaction between filmmakers, writers, and the staff is truly exceptional. The intimacy of collaboration and connecting is literally personified at this festival.I have received countless requests for my screenplays as a result of my selection to the Great Lakes Film Fest. Without their hard work and dedication, this would not be so. And for that I'm grateful. I can't wait to see what next year brings.Matt Croyle, Screenwriter
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Great Lakes Independent Film Festival Staff:
Steve M. Opsanic - Festival Executive Director
Kelly C. Hecker - Festival Director
Paul Gorman - Programming Director
Great Lakes Film Association- Web Master
Kim McClelland- Artistic Director
Film Fest Committee:
Kelly C. Hecker
Steven M Opsanic
Dean Dickson
Paul Gorman
Film Judges:
Floyd Lawrence - Narrative Features/Comedy
Brian Sheridan - Narrative Short
Frank Leczner - Experimental
Steve Aschmann - Religious/Spiritual
Kelly C. Hecker - Horror
Alex Bolla - Gay/Lesbian
John Johnston - Music Video
Gina Rullo Johnston - Music Video
Bonnie Bogovich - Animation
Steven M. Opsanic - Best of the Fest
Ruth Sprague - Screenplays/teleplays
Kim McClelland - Stage Plays
Rob Taylor - Documentaries
I would like to welcome all our friends to the Great Lakes Film Fest page. Thank you for wanting to be a part of the Art World of Cinema and Music with us. We here at the Great Lakes Independent Film Festival want to help all those craving for their work to be read and seen by others, making a difference one page and a film reel at a time. We are on a mission to make the world Scream, Cry, and Smile.
