DeKALB | In the midst of DeKalb’s fascination with Dennis Quaid and Zac Efron, it becomes important to recognize local filmmakers.

The first annual Prairie State Film Festival took place Sunday at the House Café, 263 E. Lincoln Highway.

Because this is the first year of the festival, film submissions were free. The only requirement was that at least part of the filming took place in Illinois.

The festival’s founder and producer, Willy Adkins, also produces the Chicago and Indy Horror Film Festivals. However, he had different goals for the Prairie State Film Festival.

“For a while I had wanted to create another film festival that would be open to more genres than Horror alone,” Adkins said. “I went a step further with this one to dedicate it to films made at least in part within the great prairie state of Illinois.”

Two of Adkins’ own locally-made films were also shown: I Hunt Ghosts and Ghost Humpers.

The House Café is traditionally all-ages, but some films may be unrated, Adkins said.

The event was hosted by model Monica Rae Autumn and entertainment also featured Yorkville’s Irish Folk Rock music group Macaroni Jack.