The 2022 Lake County Film Festival was held on the first two weekends of November, the 3rd – 6th & The 11th – 14th. Twenty-Three feature films and 16 short film programs, totaling over 100 titles were shown in person at The College Of Lake County. Two additional short film programs were shown at The Gorton Center in Lake Forest. We had about two dozen filmmakers present at the screenings. 

The following films were awarded by our juries & audience members. 

Jury Awards 

Feature Narrative Jury
Jury Members: Morgan Gire, Christopher Trengove & Dan Jeremy Brooks
After dozens of emails, and almost an hour of lively, in-person debate, this jury ended with a first for this festival, a tie.
Best Feature Narratives: Disfluency & Out & About

Feature Documentary Jury
Jury Members: Sean Volk, Christopher Trengrove
Best Documentary Feature: Jack Has A Plan

Feature Music Film Jury
Jury Members: Mark Covino, Jim Brunzell & Phil Ajjarapu
Best Music Feature: Roots Of Fire

Short Student Film Jury
Jury Members: Chris Cooling, Heather M. O’Brien, Rory Jobst
Each of these films is award a $250 cash prize from The College Of Lake County
Best Student Narrative Short Film: Assembly Required
Best Student Documentary Short Film: Opera For Earth Presents: The Arts Earth Fest

Short Documentary Jury
Jury Members: Chris Metzler, Jon Gann & Josh Wolff
Best Short Documentary: Soldier
Honorable Mention: Stranger At The Gate

Short Animation Jury
Jury Members: Patrick Smith, Ron Fleischer & Cole Gentles
Best Short Animation: The Siene’s Tears

Short Narrative Jury
Jury Members: Romana Guillotte & Maverick Moore
Best Overall Short: The F-Word
Best Director: Lisa Gold for Thoughts and Prayers
Best Screenplay: Callie Marie Bloem & Christopher J. Ewing for Written By
Best Performance: Emily Hanley for Hysterical 
Best Cinematography: Richard Hogan for Whale Fall
Best Editing: Forever Young
Best Dramatic Short: Desmond’s Not Here Anymore
Best Comedy Short: Say Again? 
Special Jury Award for Creative Storytelling: Going Down

Audience Awards 

Best Feature Narrative: Jacir

Best Feature Documentary: Jack Has A Plan

Best Feature Music Film: Roots Of Fire

Best Overall Short Film: Hermie

The Top Ten Shorts Scores: 
Hermie
Forever Young
This One’s For You
The Siene’s Tears
Thoughts And Prayers
The Phoenix
Killing Irma
Strangers At The Gate
Sweat Of His Cow
Run Out Groove