Celebrating the Future of Cinema

 We champion the next generation of filmmakers by providing young directors, writers, actors, and visual artists with a professional platform to showcase their exceptional talent and work. We break down barriers, we offer space for emerging talent to compete and grow, and we are focused on building a creative hub on Chicago’s North Shore for artists 25 and under. 

 Founded in 2025 to bring film into the Northshore’s historically theatre-focused arts community and honor the Wilmette Theatre’s legacy as a cultural cornerstone. With few opportunities for young filmmakers, we created a professional space where emerging directors, writers, actors, and artists 25 and under can be seen, supported, and celebrated as they shape the next chapter of storytelling. 

Hosted at the iconic Wilmette Theatre, one of the oldest continuously operating movie houses in the country.  Located in Wilmette’s Historic Landmark downtown, it provides the perfect backdrop for a first-of-its-kind festival for filmmakers 25 and under—showcasing new work, expanding access to opportunity, and bringing emerging voices to a stage that has supported storytelling for over a century.