Naperville Independent Film Festival Kicks Off Friday

Edmond Coisson's enthusiasm is unflagging. The Naperville Independent Film Festival (NIFF) founder and executive chair still has the excitement in his voice and the relentless drive that is needed to pull the eight-day event together.

In it's third year, the festival has seen some positive changes; more interest from local businesses, an improved glossy program, the partnering of the European Film Festival, a spunky new marketing director; Melissa Centazzo and year-round involvement with the Portage Theater in Chicago.

The festival kicks off Friday at Classic Cinema Ogden Six. The festival will screen 78 films including full-length features, shorts and documentaries. Movies will be screened around Naperville at a variety of venues including Classic Cinemas Ogden Six, the Holiday Inn Select and Hollywood Palms Theater.

Melissa Centazzo, a filmmaker, is the festival's new marketing director.

"Naperville is such a great place to view Independent films because the venue is local and small scale, other venues are so large that even going to a film isn't fun or convenient," Centazzo said.

Both Coisson and Centazzo are excited about the new partnership with the European Film Festival EFF in France, which is bringing some of the films to Naperville.

Officials with the European Film Festival contacted the Coisson's seeking to work with the festival, said Glessna Coisson, Edmond's wife and co-founder. "It's such an honor to be associated with such a prestigious group."

Edmond Coisson agreed: "What we have here is a chance for Naperville movie-goers to see the 13 winners of the EFF, and for filmmakers that submitted to NIFF to have a chance at having their film screened in Europe. It's just so great for everyone."

Along with the movies, there will be panel discussions including Dan Decker's discussion of screenplay writing. Decker is a screenplay writer from Hollywood. Coral Rose of Plainfield will present a seminar on acting and Corkey Kassler a lawyer/professor will discuss business advice for film makers.

"I'm most excited for the film makers," Glessna Coisson said. "The looks on their faces are so cool after we show their films, we are really here to help validate and support their work."

Tickets for the festival are $3 for each film. Want more information on the festival and it's offerings, visit the Naperville Independent Film Festival website.