Reality Bytes is a yearly festival sponsored by Northern Illinois University's Department of Communication. It is designed to allow college and graduate students to competitively screen their films. This is the festival's eighth year. Please join us to see outstanding student films!

Schedule
Wednesday, April 1 9:00pm
The House Cafe
263 E. Lincoln Hwy,
DeKalb
Almost Gone
This film follows a young woman plagued by depression and suicidal
ideation who's not getting the help she needs from mental health professionals.
It can be seen as a study of society's ostensibly dismissive attitude
toward those who struggle with depression.
Jason Ramsey, Cornell
Barb City Rats
A prospective member of a notorious motorcycle club gets caught
up in a deadly game of retribution when he chooses honor over loyalty
to his fellow gang members. He tries to exact vengeance on the club president,
but winds up biting off more than he can chew.
Miles Pfefferle, Northern Illinois University
Empty Chalice
Self-centered checker-champion Brandon Bridges meets his match
when a school administrator disbands the college's checker team.
James Knightly, Messiah College
Female Ejaculation: Perceptions*
Female Ejaculation: Perceptions explores contemporary social discourse
of female ejaculation and introduces audiences to the cultural history
of this lesser known sexual response.
Jane Fader, Wayne State University
Violated
Violated is an experimental first person narrative about a touchy
subject - date rape. The viewer experiences the main character's plight
with her and sees it through her eyes. The viewer is uncertain what has
happened at first, but the events of the night are revealed through a
series of hazy, terrifying flash-backs.
Amanda Stevens, Northern Illinois University
Just
Just is a literal exploration of the abstract journey two people
take in a relationship together. A couple on the highway pass a road sign
that has a curious effect on them: not only do they forget where they're
going; they forget who they are!
Mead McCormick, University of Chicago
Friday, April 3, 7:30 pm
Visual Arts Building, Room #100
NIU Campus
Guest Speaker Mark Borchardt
Saturday, April 4, 7:30 pm
Visual Arts Building, Room #100
NIU Campus
Gillface
Fifty years after the lakemen (or "gillfaces") arose to take their place in society, Gil, an unassuming swampie and successful salesman, still encounters
prejudice and bigotry from his coworkers - especially from Dirk, his neighbor.
Will the arrival of a beautiful new coworker, Nancy, change Gil's fate?
David McGinnis, University of Texas at Arlington
Brink
Brink is a short, experimental film that explores the realms of
the human mind and imagination as a man struggles to maintain his grasp
on reality. The man begins to teeter on the bring of insanity as an apparition
from his past haunts him in every depth of his mind.
Nate Mack, Northern Illinois University
Shelby
Shelby is a narrative work focusing around the emotion of jealousy.
After a first date, a young woman takes things too far when she suspects
Chris, her love interest, is seeing someone else. It is only after she
takes her rage out on Chris's car that she realizes she has made a big
mistake.
Jennifer Rayphole, Northern Illinois University
Smokey
A day in the life with Smokey Binion Jr. reveals an optimistic
man involved with his community as an employee of the city and tribute
artist, comfortable living and working in the small town of Stinnett,
Texas.
Scott Thurman, University of North Texas
Wild Like Ego
Kelly is 17, a little rebellious, a little confused, and very in
love with Ego. Ego is punk, a little older, a little loud, and very read
to bounce out of town. When Ego drops the bomb that he's leaving for LA
that very night, Kelly must decide - and fast - what she really wants.
Karen Glienke, UCLA
*Voted Audience Favorite

