Twin Cities creators of 11 short films will compete Oct. 1 in Cottage Grove’s “Films in 5 Festival,” sponsored by the city’s arts commission.
The number of entries more than doubled from last year, the festival’s debut.
Last year’s event drew 55 attendees, said commission vice chair Justin Atkinson, who has a background in filmmaking. Atkinson is hoping for 75 this year.
The films accepted for competition were created in 2016 and are family-friendly and less than five minutes long.
“There are a lot of film festivals in the Twin Cities area, and so I think we’re all trying to … reach out to a community of filmmakers and give them the opportunity to show their work to a live audience,” Atkinson said. “We’re all trying to share a piece of the pot.”
The commission will choose first-, second- and third-place winners, who will receive gift cards from a Cottage Grove business. A trophy will be awarded to audience favorite.
The festival runs from 1 to 3 p.m. in the lecture hall at Park Senior High School, 8040 80th St. Admission is $5 for ages 3 and older.