We're not above pointing out interesting reading in the competition, and RedEye currently has a nice story about Chicago's stature in the indie film world (though, really, an online story about film ... without any films?). Tasty tidbit: "More than 20 indie films were shot in Chicago in 2008, up from 17 in each of the prior two years, said Rich Moskal, director of the Chicago Film Office. One of these films, 'The Merry Gentleman' directed by Michael Keaton, hits theaters in May."

"The Merry Gentleman" was at Sundance last year, where Keaton gave this interview ...

And the trailer, full of Chi town shots ...

Meanwhile, beyond the big movie stars, click here for a recent example of indie short film that we love: "The Pickup," winner of the audience award in the Film Racing make-a-movie-in-one-day contest, by Chad Queen.