Aspiring filmmakers: the Lake County Fair is seeking entries for its inaugural film competition, open to Lake and Cook County residents of all ages and experience. The deadline for submissions has been extended to Monday, July 9.

Winning entries will be shown publicly throughout the fair, which runs from Wednesday, July 25 to Sunday, July 29. The Grayslake fairgrounds, the site of the 84th annual Lake County Fair, will go a bit “Hollywood,” as the winning films are screened daily on the new Pavilion Stage. A prize ceremony and talk-back with the judges will take place on Saturday, July 28, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The competition spans several genres: entries can be short subject or feature-length documentary, narrative or animated. Themes include the subjects of farm life, local history/heritage, generational/cultural experience, family life, co-existence, nature/wildlife and ecological stewardship/the “green” movement. Sheri Vyfvinkel, the fair’s general manager, says filmmakers – and would-be filmmakers – are encouraged to share their work.

“A filmmaking background is not necessary, and we welcome amateurs,” she says. “If you have a story to tell, we want to see it.”

Detailed guidelines and submission information is available online at www.lcfair.com, in the Lake County Fair Premium Handbook, located under the “competitions” tab.

Submitted by representatives of the Lake County Fair