Line Cooks to Premiere at Naples Film Festival
The restaurant-themed film shot in Naperville will debut on October 23 at the Naples International Film Festival.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Food and Drink
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The independent film Line Cooks is set to premiere at the Naples International Film Festival with showings on October 23 and October 24, 2026. Written and produced by Mary Jane Deer, the movie captures the intensity of a restaurant setting.
Why it matters
The production draws directly from the personal restaurant work experiences of the filmmaker, offering an authentic look at the industry. The debut marks a milestone for the low-budget project as it begins its festival circuit.
The production operated on a $175,000 budget and completed all filming in 15 days. The project is currently slated for appearances at 2 film festivals.
The players
Mary Jane Deer
She is the filmmaker who wrote, produced, and edited the feature film Line Cooks.
David Pasquesi
He is an actor featured in the cast of the film.
The details
Shot entirely in one location, the film utilized an empty restaurant space in downtown Naperville that the crew converted with their own equipment. The cast features actor David Pasquesi and follows a narrative centered on the professional environment of a kitchen.
Timeline
Filming occurred over 15 days in August 2025.
The film will show at the Naples International Film Festival on October 23, 2026.
The second showing at the festival takes place on October 24, 2026.
A screening is scheduled for the Coronado Island Film Festival in November 2026.
Industry Dynamics
This project follows a pattern set by the rise of micro-budget independent regional filmmaking by utilizing local real estate and restricted production timelines. It reflects a shift toward hyper-localized production models within the modern independent cinema landscape.
Those wishing to see the film can attend the Naples International Film Festival screenings in October. Access to the November screening at the Coronado Island Film Festival is restricted as those tickets are already sold out.
The takeaway
Independent filmmakers often leverage personal experiences and found locations to overcome budgetary constraints. Aspiring creators can look to this production model as a practical example of how to execute a feature-length project in a single space.
Further reading
Learn more about local culinary-themed creative projects in the Food and Drink section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Chicago Tribune.
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