From a press release
The White Room, a short film by Tom Doherty of Rock Valley College in Rockford IL has received 8 nominations from the Prairie State International Film Festival being held in Chicago, IL this weekend. The film will be shown Saturday, July 12th at 2:30 ( short film block ) at Schurz High School, Assembly Hall 3601 N. Milwaukee Ave. Tickets are available online at www.prariestatefilmfest.com
The nominations for The White Room are: Best Prairie State Film, Best Short, Best Director ( Tom Doherty ), Best Actress ( Laura Chernicky ), Best Cinematography ( Jayson Phommavongsa ), Best Sound ( Ray McCall and Joesph Marsili ), Best Editing ( Tom Doherty ), and the Director's Choice Award.
The Gene Siskel Film Center at 164 N State St. Chicago will also be showing the film on Wednesday, July 16th at noon as part of an afternoon of short films, live music and art; including the premiere of Streamline ( free, rsvp: www.facebook.com/events/345014762312941/ ).
Tom Doherty ( nominated for Best Director and Best Editing ) and Laura Chernicky ( nominated for Best Actress ) will be in attendance for Q&A and photos at both screenings, along with other cast and crew.
The White Room just won the most coveted award given by Broadcast Education Association's Festival of Media Arts 2014, the Best of the Best of Fest Award, having won over the other 1,300 entries. The film also won the Best of the Fest Award for the two year/small school student category. The Illinois International Film Fest 2014 also recognized the film, winning the Best Student Dramatic Short Award.
The NY Screen Actors Guild Foundation even took notice, including the film in its 2013 Film Short Showcase, with only 7 films selected to screen. The film has won the hearts of many, while stacking up awards and selections at several international film festivals.
The White Room stars Tyler Klunick, Laura Chernicky, Will Cummings III, Jordyn Paige Bolber, Dave Juehring Katie Mahl, and Jeff Scaduto. It was produced by Maloney Pictures and Allusive Pictures ( Tom Doherty and Eric Smigiel ), directed by Tom Doherty, and written by Tony Dal Pra. The film is described as an emotional, psychological drama, one that reminds us of the human condition and just how connected we all are.