Plus Seven Company

06/18/2026

Calling all aspiring filmmakers in middle or high school, the inaugural 5HORT Film Camp is fast approaching! Camp runs from July 6–10, 2026, when students will learn the art of filmmaking from award-winning industry professionals at Keith Country Day School in Rockford. Through hands-on workshops and creative collaboration, campers will write, shoot, and edit their own short film in just one week!

Camp runs daily from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. and costs $200 per student. Film equipment is provided. Plus, every camper receives complimentary submission waivers and passes to the 2026 815HORTS Film Festival. Spots are limited, register today!

REGISTER: www.PlusSevenCompany.com/filmcamp

Special thanks to Illinois Film Office, Xfinity + RAAC Rockford Area Arts Council!

06/16/2026

Get well soon, Maybelle, and we'll see everyone July 18!

IMPORTANT UPDATE: We have a new date for the Grand Re-Opening of Beyer Stadium at Maybelle Blair Park! The celebration, originally scheduled for this Saturday, June 20, 2026, will now take place Saturday, July 18, 2026. Dr. Kat Williams, IWBC CEO, shared the following statement regarding the decision:

“Despite the fact that we think Maybelle is unbreakable she is not. She is recovering from four broken ribs. At the advice of her physicians, she will be unable to travel to Rockford for the June 20 ribbon cutting at Beyer Stadium.

It seems unconscionable to me that we would hold a grand re-opening of Beyer Stadium at Maybelle Park without Maybelle Blair! So after consultation with IWBC representatives and Blair’s team, we have decided to postpone the grand re-opening of the Park to July 18. We have no way of knowing what her situation will be in July of course, but this gives her a month to heal and quite frankly, a goal that I hope will encourage her.

This Park represents something Maybelle has spent a lifetime working toward — a place where girls can see that baseball belongs to them, too. I believe this moment is worth waiting for, and look forward to celebrating this milestone with her on July 18."

Thank you for your understanding and continued support. We know many of you were looking forward to celebrating with us this weekend, and we hope you'll mark your calendars for July 18 instead. We can't wait to come together, honor Maybelle's incredible legacy, and celebrate this historic milestone with the community.

06/08/2026

Registrations are filling up for the inaugural 5HORT Film Camp! Middle and high school ages are welcome!

The 5HORT Film Camp is the Rockford region's premier summer youth film camp.

05/31/2026

Welcoming the Sundance Film Festival Short Film Tour back to Rockford later this year is a testament to the strength of the partnership we’ve built with Sundance Institute since the inception of the 815HORTS Film Festival in 2022. This collaboration elevates the profile of the Rockford region’s creative industry and is essential to the continued growth of Rockford as a destination for independent film. Check out the 2026 Sundance Shorts Tour official trailer for a sneak peek of what's ahead!

05/19/2026

Sundance Film Festival x 2026 815HORTS‼️

For the fifth year in a row, the Sundance Film Festival Short Film Tour will be presented at the 815HORTS Film Festival.

05/19/2026

The Sundance Film Festival Short Film Tour returns to Rockford later this year as part of the fifth annual 815HORTS Film Festival!

815HORTS | Nov. 13-14, 2026 | City Stage Studios

More film news is on the way!

05/05/2026

The 5HORT Film Camp debuts this summer — sign up now! And thanks to 13 WREX for helping spread the news! 🎥 📰

Sign-Up: www.PlusSevenCompany.com/filmcamp

Plus Seven Company is now accepting registrations for its first-ever 5HORT Film Camp, a hands-on experience for teens ages 13-17 to learn filmmaking from industry experts this July in Rockford.

05/02/2026

Specially priced White Sox tickets have been made available to all from the International Women's Baseball Center for a special outing on Saturday, May 9, at Rate Field. Proceeds from

03/03/2026

ILLINOIS STUDENTS, the band is back together in 2026!

That's right, the Shortcuts Short Film Contest brings the Illinois Film Office back together with the 815HORTS Film Festival in Rockford. All Shortcuts submissions must be from Illinois students/residents 22 years old or younger. And the Shortcuts winner will receive $250 and be screened at 815HORTS, which is set for November 13-14, 2026.

Submit today @ www.815HORTS.com ‼