5TH ANNUAL 815HORTS | NOV. 12-14, 2026 | SUBMIT FILMS | BUY TIX
The 2026 815HORTS Film Festival returns bigger and better than ever highlighted by another year of growth, industry-leading content and renowned guests and partners. Set for Thursday-Saturday, November 12-14, 2026, at City Stage Studios in Rockford, Illinois, the fifth anniversary edition of 815HORTS – produced by Plus Seven Company as the region’s premier film festival – is highlighted by the addition of a third day, short- and feature-length film screenings, and a variety of programs alongside industry-leading partners.
Single-day passes start at $20, while three-day festival passes are $50 (the best value and a savings of $15). Guests traveling from out of town can stay at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Rockford Riverfront – the official hotel partner of the 2026 815HORTS located less than one mile from the festival venue.
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2026 SCHEDULE OVERVIEW
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2026
6 p.m. Doors + 5HORT Opening Reception | 7 p.m. Rockford Preview Screening of Counterfeit (Written + Directed by Nick Snow, Produced by Don Hatton) | 8:45 p.m. Post-Screening Q&A and 5HORT Closing Reception
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2026
5 p.m. 5HORT Reception | 5:30 p.m. Illinois Film Office (IFO) Shortcuts Student Screening Block | 6:30 p.m. IFO Shortcuts Student Contest Winner Announcement | 7 p.m. 2026 Sundance Film Festival Short Film Tour | 9 p.m. 5HORT Closing Reception
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2026
8:30 a.m. Doors Open | 9 a.m. 815HORTS Live Action Screening Block | 11 a.m. 815HORTSedu Panel Discussion #1 | 12 p.m. Lunch Break | 1 p.m. 815HORTS Animated Screening Block | 2:30 p.m. 815HORTSedu Panel #2 | 4 p.m. 815HORTS Documentary Screening Block | 6 p.m. 5HORT Closing Night Reception | 7 p.m. Feature Film Screening (TBA!) | 9 p.m. 5HORT Awards + Closing Remarks
More 815HORTS announcements are coming soon! Schedule subject to change.
2026 SCHEDULED GUESTS
STACY BARTON
Film Director,
Augustana College
DON HATTON
Founder,
Rockford Film Office
PETER HAWLEY
Director,
Illinois Film Office
HOLLY SPARKMAN
Manager,
Quad Cities Film Office
BEN THOMPSON
VP Shorts Programming,
Tribeca Festival
2026 815HORTS PARTNERS
CHAMPION SPONSORS
FRIEND SPONSORS
INDUSTRY PARTNERS
SPECIAL THANKS
Sundance Film Festival + Tribeca Festival + Luxe Productions
+ Peter Hawley + Stacy Barton + Don Hatton + Holly Sparkman
2026 SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL SHORT FILM TOUR
A curated collection of six standout short films from this year’s Sundance Film Festival — including three Festival Award-winning titles — the 2026 Sundance Shorts Tour (99 minutes in duration) offers a mix of stories that highlight bold perspectives and next-gen storytellers. The 2026 Tour provides a curated glimpse into the Festival’s selections, highlighting the depth of narrative possibilities explored in the short film format. For those who couldn’t attend the 2026 Sundance Film Festival — held in person in Park City and Salt Lake City, Utah, from January 22-February 1, as well as online — this tour invites audiences across the world to experience a collection of resonant, provocative, tender, and human-centered fiction, nonfiction, and animated shorts that showcase truly dynamic independent storytelling.
In 2026, the Short Film Programmers selected 54 short films to screen at the Sundance Film Festival out of 11,480 global submissions. Every year, a collection of shorts from the Festival’s most recent program is selected for this theatrical tour in dozens of cities.
2025 815HORTS PHOTO GALLERY
CONTACT + PRODUCTION
Partnerships and Inquiries: Nick@PlusSevenCompany.com or 815.708.1644.