Lake County Film Festival: Gorton Selected Shorts

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Lake County Film Festival: Gorton Selected Shorts

Sun, March 22
3:00 pm
- 4:30 pm

$5 – $10
No Clean Hammer 2048x1152

Time

Sun, March 22, 2026 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm

Pricing

$5 student ticket, $10 general admission/adult ticket

Resources

Lake County Film Festival

Location

Gorton Center – John & Nancy Hughes Theater
400 E. Illinois Road Lake Forest, IL 60045

The Lake County Film Festival returns in 2026 for its Sweet 16 edition, celebrating sixteen years of independent cinema with a diverse, ambitious, and international slate of feature and short films. The festival runs March 12–23, 2026.

This year’s festival will screen films at three venues: the College of Lake County in Grayslake, Gorton Center in Lake Forest, and — for the first time — the Antioch Theater in Antioch, expanding the festival’s footprint and access across Lake County.

Gorton Center is proud to be one of the screening venues and offer a curated selection of short films from the festival catalogue! Some filmmakers will be in attendance for a post-show Q & A!
Neo-Dome – Narrative • Action/Thriller/Science-Fiction • USA • 2025 • 15 Minutes
A woman hitchhikes to a utopia on the horizon. When she negotiates a ride we learn: trust no one on the road to the Dome.
Good Luck To All Of You – Narrative • Comedy/Drama • France • 2025 • 7 Minutes
A young girl plays with her toys, unaware that she might just be holding humanity’s remote control. Voices of tech experts blend innocence, hope and mild panic about AI. This whimsical yet cautionary tale asks: Who controls AI, who profits, and who’s still waiting for the manual?
No Clean Hammer – Narrative • Bosnia/USA • 2025 • 16 Minutes
No Clean Hammer follows Izet, a solitary man from Bosnia, as he drives from Tuzla to Sweden to recover his mother’s body. Based on a story passed down generations in diaspora, the short unfolds as folktale, capturing the surreal and absurdist aftermath of the Bosnian wars.
Two Ships –Narrative • Horror • Portugal • 2025 • 6 Minutes
While working opposite schedules, a couple attempts to maintain their connection through fleeting encounters.
Oh Yeah! – Documentary • USA • 2025 • 17 Minutes
The story of the iconic electronic music group Yello and their classic 1980’s hit song. Oh Yeah is one of the most recognizable songs of all time, made famous by Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, and embodies 80’s American culture more than any other song.
Shell Yeah – Documentary • USA • 2025 • 6 Minutes
A musician, his shells, and the surprising sounds they create.
Hāfu – Narrative • Drama • USA • 2025 • 16 Minutes
When an American bride-to-be spends the day reuniting with her Japanese grandmother, she discovers through the dance of communication that she is more connected to her heritage than she realized.
Permanent Residence –Narrative • USA • 2025 • 10 Minutes
An ordinary immigration interview. What could possibly go wrong?

Gorton Center houses the beautiful John and Nancy Hughes Theater featuring professional sound, light, video, and digital cinema technology. The 309-seat theater is a wonderful space to watch a film - we offer a wide variety - ranging from classics from the past to newer releases, documentary films and festivals, kids and family movies, and we screen John Hughes movies several times a year.

Gorton Center is a premier destination for outstanding cultural and performing arts experiences serving the residents of Lake Forest, Lake Bluff, and the surrounding region. As a proud nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, we are dedicated to enriching our community through an array of exceptional events and programs.

At Gorton Center, we believe in the transformative power of the arts. Our vibrant calendar is brimming with diverse offerings, ensuring there's always something to captivate and inspire you. From live music performances that resonate with your soul to comedy nights that leave you in stitches, we curate events to suit all tastes and interests. Our dedication to quality and community engagement means you can expect only the best in cultural entertainment.

Whether you’re a long-time resident or a visitor, there’s always something extraordinary waiting for you. Come be a part of our community, where every event is an opportunity to connect, enjoy, and be inspired.

Gorton Center will take and may use photos and videos from this event for its promotional purposes. Your attendance indicates your consent to the above.

There is no refund given for unused film or event tickets.

Details

Venue