The 21st Annual Whitaker St. Louis Filmmakers Showcase runs virtually from July 16-25, 2021

ST. LOUIS - June 28, 2021 - PRLog -- 21st Annual Whitaker St. Louis Filmmakers Showcase
Dates: July 16-25, 2021
Tickets: Individual tickets are $14 for general admission, $12 for Cinema St. Louis members and students with valid and current photo IDs
Passes: 5-film passes are available for $60, $50 for CSL members; all-access passes are available for $135, $105 for CSL members
Ticket and Pass Purchase: cinemastlouis.org/st-louis-filmmakers-showcase

The Whitaker St. Louis Filmmakers Showcase, an annual presentation of the nonprofit Cinema St. Louis (CSL), serves as the area's primary venue for films made by local artists. The Showcase screens works that were shot in the St. Louis region or were written, directed, or produced by St. Louis-area residents or by filmmakers with strong local ties who are now working elsewhere.

Because of the continuing Covid-19 health crisis, the Showcase will again be presented virtually in 2021. CSL will once more partner with Eventive on the virtual festival. Films will be available to view on demand anytime from July 16-25. There are no geographic limits on access. Once a ticket-holder begins watching a program, access remains available for 48 hours.

The Showcase's 15 film programs range from narrative and documentary features to multi-film compilations of fiction and documentary shorts. Feature programs will include recorded Q&As with filmmakers, which will also be available on CSL's YouTube channel. In addition to the film programs, this year's event will feature four free master classes focused on key aspects of filmmaking. These will be offered as livestreams at specific times/dates during the Showcase.

The July 25 closing-night awards presentation will be either an in-person outdoor party or a livestream. Visit the CSL website for updated info. Announced during the event will be nearly two dozen Showcase jury awards — including a $500 prize to the Best Showcase Film. Cinema St. Louis staff will also announce the films that will move on to the 30th annual Whitaker St. Louis International Film Festival in November.

The 102 films and four master classes in this year's Showcase will be available to be seen worldwide.

The Whitaker Foundation again serves as the Showcase's title sponsor. The foundation's twofold mission is to encourage the preservation and use of parks and to enrich lives through the arts. The Chellappa-Vedavalli Foundation is underwriting both the Showcase's master classes and the $500 prize for the Best Showcase Film.

The event's other sponsors include the Arts & Education Council, Grizzell & Co., Joni Tackette Casting, Missouri Arts Council, Missouri Film Office, Regional Arts Commission, and St. Louis Public Radio.

For more information, the public should visit https://cinemastlouis.org/.