Big Dam Film Festival
Encyclopedia
The Big Dam Film Festival is an annual event organized by Young Professionals of the Quincy Area, a Non-Profit Networking and Community Development organization in Quincy, Illinois
. The festival features independent films
from around the world in a showcase format usually held on a Saturday evening during the spring.
The proceeds from the event are used to organize and support events and endeavors throughout the community of Quincy, Illinois
.
The festival is named after Lock and dam, #21 on the Mississippi river
which is an icon local to Quincy, and a source of revenue for the city.
The inaugural event occurred in February 2006, featuring 23 films selected from over 80 total films that were submitted for selection. A short video introduction by Ed Begley, Jr.
began the event.
Clinton Begley and Christopher Mackenzie actively participated in the planning and coordination of the events throughout the transitional year of 2009 when a sub-committee of Young Professional's Quincy took over the majority of planning. Begley and Mackenzie have since divested themselves of planning future festivals.
The 2010 festival, under direction of the newly formed committee, saw a change in direction and format. Instead of a single evening of short films, two separate evenings of feature length films were shown. Locally produced "Hampshire" was screened on Thursday, May 7 at McHugh Theater on the campus of Quincy University
. Friday night hosted locally produced short " A night in Woodlawn" and critically acclaimed An Education
as the feature presentation.
In 2011, the two-night format was retained and the feature length documentary "Beer Wars
" was screened Friday night while the original "shorts" festival was preserved for Saturday night at the State Room.
Quincy, Illinois
Quincy, known as Illinois' "Gem City," is a river city along the Mississippi River and the county seat of Adams County. As of the 2010 census the city held a population of 40,633. The city anchors its own micropolitan area and is the economic and regional hub of West-central Illinois, catering a...
. The festival features independent films
Independent film
An independent film, or indie film, is a professional film production resulting in a feature film that is produced mostly or completely outside of the major film studio system. In addition to being produced and distributed by independent entertainment companies, independent films are also produced...
from around the world in a showcase format usually held on a Saturday evening during the spring.
The proceeds from the event are used to organize and support events and endeavors throughout the community of Quincy, Illinois
Quincy, Illinois
Quincy, known as Illinois' "Gem City," is a river city along the Mississippi River and the county seat of Adams County. As of the 2010 census the city held a population of 40,633. The city anchors its own micropolitan area and is the economic and regional hub of West-central Illinois, catering a...
.
Origins
The Big Dam Film Festival was established by Clinton Begley and Christopher Mackenzie, whom are both natives of Quincy, Illinois and members of the Young Professionals of Quincy board.The festival is named after Lock and dam, #21 on the Mississippi river
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
which is an icon local to Quincy, and a source of revenue for the city.
The inaugural event occurred in February 2006, featuring 23 films selected from over 80 total films that were submitted for selection. A short video introduction by Ed Begley, Jr.
Ed Begley, Jr.
Edward James "Ed" Begley, Jr. is an American actor and environmentalist. Begley has appeared in hundreds of films, television shows, and stage performances. He is best known for his role as Dr. Victor Ehrlich, on the television series St...
began the event.
History
Since its inception, each event has sold out well in advance. It has been subject to rave reviews and praise.Clinton Begley and Christopher Mackenzie actively participated in the planning and coordination of the events throughout the transitional year of 2009 when a sub-committee of Young Professional's Quincy took over the majority of planning. Begley and Mackenzie have since divested themselves of planning future festivals.
The 2010 festival, under direction of the newly formed committee, saw a change in direction and format. Instead of a single evening of short films, two separate evenings of feature length films were shown. Locally produced "Hampshire" was screened on Thursday, May 7 at McHugh Theater on the campus of Quincy University
Quincy University
Quincy University a private liberal arts Catholic university in the Franciscan tradition. It is located in Quincy, Illinois and currently enrolls around 1,300 students.-History:...
. Friday night hosted locally produced short " A night in Woodlawn" and critically acclaimed An Education
An Education
An Education is a 2009 British coming-of-age drama film, based on an autobiographical article in Granta by British journalist Lynn Barber. The film was directed by Lone Scherfig from a screenplay by Nick Hornby, and stars Carey Mulligan as Jenny, a bright schoolgirl, and Peter Sarsgaard as David,...
as the feature presentation.
In 2011, the two-night format was retained and the feature length documentary "Beer Wars
Beer Wars
Beer Wars is a 2009 documentary film about the American beer industry. In particular, it covers the differences between large corporate breweries, namely Anheuser-Busch, the Miller Brewing Company, and the Coors Brewing Company opposed to smaller breweries like Dogfish Head Brewery, Stone Brewery...
" was screened Friday night while the original "shorts" festival was preserved for Saturday night at the State Room.
Festivals
| Event | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|
| The Big Dam Film Festival | February 2006 | The State Room |
| The Not as Big Dam Film Festival | November 2006 | The Hawks Nest @ Quincy University |
| The Big Dam Film Festival | March 2007 | The State Room |
| The Big Dam Film Festival | April 2008 | The State Room |
| The Big Dam Film Festival | March 2009 | The State Room |
| The Big Dam Film Festival | May 2010 | The State Room & McHugh Theather (Quincy University) |
| The Big Dam Film Festival | February 2011 | The State Room & The Quincy Community Theater |