Professor O’s Producing Festival: Independent Short Films

Name: Professor O’s Producing Festival: Independent Short Films
Released: 2026-06-10
Duration: 2 h

<div>Chicago-based filmmaker and film professor John Otterbacher (Northwestern, Loyola, DePaul Universities), film and theatre writer/director/actor J. Paul Preseault, and Quad Cities-based filmmaker Jon Gollner present a block of short films and discussion on making independent films, from conception to distribution. Ranging from Los Angeles to New Mexico to Chicago, these films address mental health, grief, friendship, and legacy. <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 700; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Program Schedule BARNEY & HERB (2024): A charming retiree and his 30-something friend find comfort, happiness and mutual enlightenment in navigating the human condition together.  Starring Peter Jason and Jonah Ray RodriguesWritten and Directed by Tommy O’Rourke SILT (2022): A Native botanist, grieving the death of a beloved aunt, travels alone to northern Mexico, where she is nourished by images of the last trip they took together traversing the Colorado River. Starring Morningstar AngelineWritten and Directed by Emilie Upczak POSTHUMOUS (2023): After receiving a terminal cancer diagnosis, a musician struggles to finish his debut album before it’s too late. Starring Trevor Earley and Bianca ShawWritten and Directed by Jon Gollner THE DRIVER (2022): A man’s life is changed forever after a run-in with an FBI Agent on his way to save the world. Starring Jon Silver and Colt CabanaWritten and Directed by Jon Gollner TALES OF HARSH GRUDER (2025): A recovering addict contemplates the point of living, when an unexpected visit by his life-long buddy sets in motion a night of psychedelic absurdity and devastating revelation. Starring Bobby Rafferty and J. Paul PreseaultDirected by J. Paul Preseault and John Otterbacher</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div>PT2H2026-06-10Professor O’s Producing Festival: Independent Short Films"Professor O’s Producing Festival: Independent Short Films"

Showtimes

June 10, 7:20 pm