Small Gauge, Big Deal

By Rob Christopher in Arts & Entertainment on Aug 3, 2011 3:30PM

A certain summer blockbuster has rekindled awareness of one of the original consumer movie formats. Super 8 was introduced by Kodak in the mid-60's, allowing moms, dads, and geeky kids everywhere to make movies easily and cheaply. All you had to do was unwrap the cartridge, pop it into your camera, close the lid, and start shooting. When you'd used up the cartridge you just dropped it off at your local supermarket's photo counter and soon (7-10 business days later) pick up the developed reel, ready for projection.

Its ease of use and portability made Super 8 ideal not just for home movies but for experimental film. We ourselves, at the tender age of 11, directed a striking 3-minute adaptation of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. There's a long history of artistic filmmaking in the format, and Chicago Filmmakers is launching the Chicago 8 Film Festival to spotlight such work. "S8 has an intimacy and charm that comes from its home movie history, its personal diaristic sensibility, its small compact size, and its unmistakable visual presence, " reads the festival announcement. "Highly identifiable, S8 is known for its vibrant color, surface, texture, and unmistakable grain." It's absolutely true: when shot and projected with care, Super 8 has a fuzzy gorgeousness that could make David Lynch swoon.

The festival, which will take place October 21-23, is accepting entries; and, unusually, there's no entry fee. Just include a DVD screener with your submission form and you're all set. For more info, check out the festival's Kickstarter page.