QCA Film Office

10/21/2026

10/20/2026

The Putnam Museum 48 Hour Film Challenge registration is open to teams who would like to participate in this years event! Registration is capped at 20 teams. The deadline to register is November 10. https://www.putnam.org/events/10834/

WE WANT YOU! Sign up now for our 48-hour film challenge at putnam.org

10/04/2026

YOU CAN BE ON CAMERA! On Monday October 5th, we will welcome a film crew from Cinema United, who will shooting footage for an upcoming profile on The Last Picture House as one of the marquee cinemas in the United States. We'd love for you to be on camera with us!

Join us for the 6:45 PM screening of THIS IS BUZZ, which is accompanied by a Q&A with filmmakers Mark Pellington (THE MOTHMAN PROPHECIES, ARLINGTON ROAD) and Scott Beck & Bryan Woods (A QUIET PLACE, HERETIC).

Tickets: https://www.lastpicturehouse.com/movie/this-is-buzz-with-director-mark-pellington/

09/22/2026

The Quad Cities is home to many beautiful, historic, and haunting locations! 🏮🎬

09/21/2026

SHORTS FILM FESTIVAL COMING UP IN ROCKFORD

The fifth annual 815HORTS Film Festival hosted by Plus Seven Company is November 13–14, 2026, at City Stage Studios in Rockford. https://www.plussevencompany.com/815horts

This year's festival will feature:
🎥 Animated, documentary and live-action screening blocks
🎓 Educational sessions
☀️ Screening of the 2026 Sundance Film Festival Shorts Tour
🏆 The Illinois Film Office Shortcuts Student Film Contest
🎓 Special opportunity for Illinois students

Illinois students 22 and under can receive 50% off submissions through October 9 as part of the Illinois Film Office Shortcuts program! Students use code 2026Shortcuts when submitting through FilmFreeway. https://filmfreeway.com/815HORTS

09/18/2026

UPDATE: Putnam 48 Hour Challenge November 20 - 22 Deadline to register is November 10

🎬 20 TEAMS 48 HOURS 1 FILM! 🎬

Calling all Quad Cities filmmakers, storytellers, actors, writers, and creative teams! The Putnam Museum 48-Hour Film Challenge is back for its third year—and this is your chance to make a short film in just 48 hours!

With only 20 teams allowed, you’ll want to get your team registered before all the spots are gone!

And there are some great prizes on the line:

🏆 Critics’ Choice Award
• Trophy
• Free waiver code to submit your short film to Alternating Currents 2027
• Your film screened at The Last Picture House before Members Only Films, 35mm Films and a rooftop showing

🏆 Audience Favorite Award
• Trophy
• Free waiver code to submit your short film to Alternating Currents 2027
• Your film screened at The Last Picture House before Members Only Films, 35mm Films and a rooftop showing

Whether you've made a dozen films or you've always wanted to try making one, this is a great way to jump in and create something with your fellow filmmakers.

And you never know where 48 hours of creativity might lead. 🎥

Grab your team. Register. Make a movie.

👉 Only 20 teams https://www.putnam.org/48-hour-film-challenge/