Frankfort Residents Welcomed Home by California Filmmakers Wednesday

As a proud Frankfort resident, being “welcomed home” from a Californian might seem a bit unusual.

The curious nature of the invitation to one’s own charming town unfolds on the silver screen Wednesday, December 18 when filmmaker Michael Fanter, the creator and producer at Lemon Town Films, premiers three screenings of “Rails to Roots – Welcome Home to Frankfort, Illinois” at Emagine Frankfort, 19965 LaGrange Rd, Frankfort, IL 60423, USA.

Fanter filmed Frankfort himself "literally" going around town, complemented by drones for a birds-eye view so Lemon Town Films could share the experience found in “the vibrant life of Frankfort, where history, community, and celebration come together.”

According to its marketing promotion, “From its (Frankfort) storied past to unforgettable festivals, this film takes you on the ultimate day trip through the town’s unique attractions, must-visit spots, and hidden gems.”

“I can’t wait to see our village captured on film,” said Steve Haberichter, who provided a modest fee to support the film while opening his doors to his own business, Down Home Guitars. “It’s like Ken Burns came and threw a net over the town to share our story.”

According to Fanter “Welcome Home" is a captivating YouTube documentary film series that delves deep into the heart of various communities, offering viewers an inside look at the towns they might one day call home or even visit.

Each film episode is meticulously crafted to highlight the unique aspects of a town, including its history, real estate landscape, schools, transportation, unique businesses, attractions, and the dining options.

“I am so excited about finalizing this film,” said Fanter. “It’s been a year in the making. Creating this film has been an incredible journey, and capturing the beauty of Frankfort through stunning cinematography has been a truly rewarding experience.

“There's so much this village has to offer -- it's stunning beautiful trails, shops, boutiques, festivals, and that’s just scratching the surface. The small businesses here are truly incredible to work with.

“Each business is unique, offering something special to the community, and everyone of them has its own fascinating story.

“Connecting with them has been such a rewarding experience—collaborating with these passionate entrepreneurs has been both inspiring and exciting because they are a dynamic and diverse group of local businesses.

According to Fanter, professional screenwriters enrich the narrative with state-of-the art filmmaking techniques, including professional voiceovers, high-quality sound design, vivid animation and immersive music.

“We aspired to collaborate closely with the town, enhancing our narrative with exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes access to add and unparalleled depth and value to our project,” said Fanter.

Films are all slated for the evening of Wednesday, December 18 at 8:10 (SOLD OUT), 9:10 and 10:10. Individual ticket prices begin at $6.75 for all three screenings of “Rails to Roots – Welcome Home to Frankfort, Illinois” at Emagine Frankfort, 19965 LaGrange Rd, Frankfort, IL 60423, USA.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit Lemon Town Films' website.