Join Us for the Pens to Lens 10 Gala!
Saturday, August 15 at 3:00 PM
at the Historic Virginia Theatre
An exciting community event for K-12 students across East Central Illinois.
Write scripts that real filmmakers and designers bring to life as short films and posters.
This months-long event culminates in a true red carpet film festival, celebrating the young writers who started it all with nothing but an idea and a blank page.
The 10th edition of Pens to Lens
has officially started
Local filmmakers and designers are currently reading the screenplays submitted by students in the area and beginning work on their films and movie posters. We are also accepting short film submissions for the 2026 Student Filmmaking Competition.
Submissions for student films will end July 31, 2026.
A Gateway to Filmmaking
Making the Medium of Filmmaking Accessible for Children
Learn
Dive into the technology, artistic concepts, and communication techniques.
Self Express
Practice self expression through opportunities, tools, and learning resources.
Collaborate
Work as a team, with peers and mentors, bringing stories to life through cinema.
Have Fun
Engage with your creativity and have fun while learning skills and self expression!
Pens to Lens was so much fun,
I can’t wait for next year!
-Jaxson, 4th grade
I learned that I want to be a filmmaker when I grow up.
-Kinsleigh, 5th grade
Let’s Go to the Movies!
See films from the 2025 Pens to Lens
Want to see more? Of course you do!
