2023 Official Selections Announced

Out of hundreds of submissions, the Blue Whiskey Independent Film Festival is pleased to announce the 34 short and feature-length films that have been officially selected for exhibition and competition. In addition to the traditional Shorts and Features Competitions, the festival introduced a new competition category this morning called the Dynamics Competition.

"This new collection of films will invite audiences to expand their understanding of significant matters in our world to stimulate growth, development, or change within ourselves and our community," said Operations Director Jonathan C. Legat. "Films in this competition will be eligible for a special Blue Glass Award: the Dynamics Jury Prize."

Shorts Competition

The Shorts Competition will consist of 23 films: 16 narratives, 4 music videos, and 3 documentaries.

• Aaron With 2 A's (United States), dir. Michael Goldburg
• Addie and the Lightning Bugs (United States), dir. Alexander Jeffrey
• Andrew After Angola (United States), dir. Will LaCalle
• Awake Ngorongoro (United Republic of Tanzania), dir. Alex Lobulu
• Big Guy (United States), dir. Nick Rohr
• The Family We Chose (United States), dir. Justin & Kristin Schaack
• Folaine (Ireland), dir. Margaret Kilcoyne
• Hangman (United States), dir. Sam Upton
• How Do I Tell You This (United States), dir. Chad Hill
• Kassandra (France), dir. Ivar Wigan
• Kiss 'n' Ride (United States), Olivia Jensen
• La Nueva (Spain), dir. Ivan Villamel
• Past Prologue (United States), dir. Brian Russell
• Play the Game of Thrones (United States), dir. Leigh Roberts
• The Rebellion (United States), dir. Gabriel Hostetler
• Rest (United States), dir. Micah Stathis
• Roadkill (United States), dir. William Angelico
• The Search (United States), dir. Thomas Brouns
• Some Days (United States), dir. Jef Ross Doebler
• TORI – Symphony of Vengeance (United States), dir. Riccardo Berdini
• The Voice in Isabel Fleiss's Office (United States), dir. Jim Haverkamp
• Wheel (United States), dir. Honora Talbott
• Yellowstone 88 – Song of Fire (United States), dir. Jerry van de Beek & Betsy De Fries

Features Competition

The Features Competition will consist of 7 films: 4 documentaries and 3 narratives.

• Everybody Wants to Be Loved (Germany), dir. Katharina Woll
• Frank Bey: All My Dues Are Paid (United States), dir. Tomy Dwyer & Lisa Palattella
• Just. One. Mile. (United States), dir. Duane Codrington
• Loud Enough (United States), dir. Hilary Klotz Steinman
• Magdalena (Poland), dir. Filip Gieldon
• The Wife and Her House Husband (United Kingdom), dir. Marcus Markou
• You Have No Idea (United States), dir. Alexander Jeffrey & Paul Petersen

Dynamics Competition

The Dynamics Competition will consist of 8 documentaries: 6 features and 2 shorts.

• Andrew After Angola (United States), dir. Will LaCalle
• Knock Out Blonde (United States), dir. Rick Lazes & Tom Denucci
• Loud Enough (United States), dir. Hilary Klotz Steinman
• Made By Immigrants (United States), dir. Carlo Gennarelli
• PATOU: In Black & White (Australia), dir. Fiona Cochrane
• Raised Up West Side (United States), dir. Brett A. Schwartz
• The Search (United States), dir. Thomas Brouns
• You Have No Idea (United States), dir. Alexander Jeffrey & Paul Petersen

The 2023 Blue Whiskey Independent Film Festival will be held at Chicago Filmmakers in their Firehouse Cinema from July 14-22. Legat remarked in the announcement this morning, "This is our fourth season at Chicago Filmmakers and we’re looking forward to presenting our 13th annual event with them."

Films exclusively in the Dynamics Competition will be screened following July 22 with dates and locations to be announced soon. The complete festival guide will be available to view on the festival's mobile app later today.