Local audiences came out for the recent premiere of filmmaker Joe Bland’s latest film “Imperium” at the Apollo Theater in downtown Peoria. The 20-minute film was shot in Pekin, Peoria and Chicago.

The red carpet movie premiere held recently at the Apollo Theater in downtown Peoria may not have featured A-list Hollywood stars, but award-winning filmmaker Joe Bland is hoping to bring attention to the short action-packed flick at film festivals here and abroad.

Bland filmed the 20-minute movie, “Imperium,” in Pekin, Peoria and Chicago. The 24-year-old Pekin native has hosted three other red carpet premieres since he started making films while still in high school.

He won a Telly Award earlier this year for a short documentary he made for Youth for Christ titled “Ray’s Story.”

“Most of the stuff around here is commercial work, and I enjoy doing that, but ultimately I’d like to do this full time,” Bland said while in the green room before the “Imperium” premiere, which drew a sellout of around 150 persons. “I enjoy creating stories in a cinematic way.”

Bland, who earned a degree in multi-media from Illinois Central College, previously worked for Water Street Media Works but now owns his own company, Bland Productions. Much of his work involves shooting videos and documentaries for Youth for Christ, a Colorado-based ministry that reaches youth around the world.

At daybreak after the “Imperium” premiere, Bland was on a plane heading out on a three-week YFC job that would take him to Colorado, California and Oregon. He also has traveled overseas for jobs.

“I used to count the days when I would travel, and now I count the days when I’m actually home,” Bland said.

“Imperium” centers around the CIA’s efforts to thwart a discharged operative and his sinister emerging agency, Imperium. Co-written with Bland’s sister-in-law, Alison Bland of Colorado, the film features aerial shots, a helicopter scene and impressive special effects.

“It takes about 35 hours (of editing) to kick out a 5-second scene,” Bland said. “So it’s very time-consuming. At some point, I’d like to have a team to help do that, but I do enjoy it.”

Ben Brown of Pekin, who works on the maintenance crew for the Peoria Air National Guard by day, plays Neil, the main villain in the film.

“My favorite part of filming was probably the helicopter ride,” Brown said. With a smile, he added, “This is just for fun, but if the right offer came along, I’d consider it.”

Lauren Anderson of Peoria, a family friend who’s starred in other Joe Bland films, plays the lead female role of Hawkeye, a CIA agent charged with stopping the villain.

“It was fun to channel my inner superhero, so to speak,” said Anderson, whose real job is photography.

Anderson and other stars of the film said it was a thrill to play the part of a movie star as they arrived at the premiere in a limousine and walked the red carpet amid camera flashes.

“It’s kind of hilarious but definitely a blast,” said Chris Tarpley of the red carpet experience. A Pekin musician, Tarpley plays the villain’s bodyguard. “It’s great to see Joe’s project come together like this and to see people backing it and supporting it.”

Prior to the screening, Anderson said she was excited to see the film, which took more than two years to make.

“I think the feel of the Apollo and the whole vibe of tonight is fun,” Anderson said. “It feels classy and high energy.”

Bland said a Kickstarter online fundraising campaign raised several thousand dollars from investors to help fund the film. He also gives credit to his actors, producers, family and all the behind-the-scenes help he received.

“(Filmmaking) is definitely a team sport,” he said. “A film like this takes a lot of patience.”

Longtime family friend Deene Milam stood in line behind the ropes to the red carpet in 95-degree heat to shoot pictures of his son, Jeremy Milam, and other stars of the film as they arrived.

“There’s no question Joe has a bright future before him. He does amazing work,” said Milam. “Maybe I should grab his autograph now and hang on to it.”

Bland plans to submit “Imperium” to various film festivals and eventually will try to make the film available through online streaming sites and possibly through DVDs. In the meantime, the public can view a trailer of the film and other Bland Production projects at www.blandproductions.com or on the Joe Bland Production Facebook page.

— Pekin native’s movie premiere gets red carpet treatment  —