Search Results for: Chicago Underground Film Festival

The 14th Annual Chicago Underground Film Festival returns with “exceptionally strong documentaries, the usual lineup of cult films, and quite a bit of sex in the features,” said CUFF founder and festival director Bryan Wendorf.

CUFF runs Aug. 15-19, moving this year to non-traditional venues in Wicker Park: the Chopin Theater and Elegant Mr. Gallery.

“One trend in the films is people making unusual lifestyles, choosing live outside the mainstream,” noted Wendorf.

A heavy dose of hard-hitting politics joins the staples of transgressive and experimental cinema at the 12th Annual Chicago Underground Film Festival, which runs Aug. 18-25 in its new home at the Music Box Theatre.

CUFF 12 includes 13 narrative features, nine documentary features, 18 narrative shorts, 29 documentary shorts, 89 experimental shorts, and six animations.

TAKING OVER THE REINS of the Independent Feature Project, Chicago’s 25-year old hub of indie filmmaking is Christy LeMaster, who has run IFP’s recent and successful fund-raising galas. She succeeds Ryan Jewell, who returned to his native Oklahoma City for family reasons.

LeMaster, who has a Masters in English from Truman State University, has a background in programming film festivals, starting with the True or False doc fest in Columbia, Mo.

CHICAGOANS AT SUNDANCE expected this weekend at Park City, Utah include Fox TV’s Robin Robinson and Ch. 7’s Sylvia Perez, providing TV coverage of the festivities; Julee White, NBC director of strategic sales and marketing; RDS’ Megan Ross; Kevin Farley, brother of the late Chris; the IFO’s Betsy Steinberg and Todd Lizak, Mesirow Financial’s Les Coney and Christina and Mike McGrath of Lexis McGrath.

Sundance and CineVegas programmer Mike Plante bought lunch one day for a filmmaker friend. “Instead of owing me lunch, why not make a film for that same money?” Plante writes in his blog.

Plante and the filmmaker wrote out a contract on a napkin, and so was born “Lunchfilm,” a growing collection of some 50 short films made for the price of a midday meal.

Plante has screened “Lunchfilm” programs at Sundance and at venues across the country. Now embarking on its second national tour, “Lunchfilm” makes its first Chicago stop Jan. 15 at Chicago Filmmakers.

Hollywood actor Casey Siemaszko grew up deeply immersed in Chicago’s Polish community, performing with his parents’ Polish dance troupe. And Siemaszko’s father Konstanty fought for the Polish underground in World War II.

Siemaszko made a fitting return to his hometown Friday night for the opening of the 21st Polish Film Festival in America, at the AMC River East 21 theatre.

DURING THEIR FOUR WHIRLWIND DAYS in L.A., a Chicago sales contingent saw 19 producers, several with possible projects for the state, says Local 476’s Mark Hogan. He was accompanied by Teamsters 726’s John Coli and IFO director Betsey Steinberg on their latest sales mission.

Any new projects heading our way?

September is going to be a bonanza month for film festival fans. As of now, seven uniquely different fests are scheduled throughout the state, and others surely will be announced later.

Most of the film events take place during the third week of September, which includes the first day of autumn. Here’s how they line up:

Sept. 10-13: Now under the auspices of the IFP, the 16th annual Chicago Underground Film Festival again will be combined with IFP’s Filmmakers Summit and be held at the Gene Siskel Center.

UIC professor and two-time Independent Spirit Award nominee Jennifer Montgomery’s “Deliver,” is one 25 local films featured in the Chicago Underground Film Festival Oct. 29-Nov. 2.

The 15th annual CUFF showcases 120 films from Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan and hosts the 17th annual IFP Filmmakers Summit, all taking place at the Viaduct Theatre.

Montgomery was long fascinated by John Boorman’s classic “Deliverance,” but troubled by its portrayal of gender roles.

This year marks the 15th anniversary of the Chicago Underground Film Festival and its first year under the aegis of IFP. To underscore the artistic merger, IFP’s Filmmakers Summit is now part of CUFF’s presentations.

Out of the 1,200 worldwide entries received, 120 of the best of these will be showcased Oct. 31-Nov. 1 at the Viaduct Theatre.

Locally-made features by Carl Seaton, Joe Swanberg and Tom Gustafson, a feature doc about an underground rocker, and 10 shorts shine in the Spotlight Illinois section of the 44th Chicago International Film Festival.

The 14 locally-made films screen on different days throughout the festival, now through Oct. 29, at AMC River East, 322 E. Illinois.

Executive producer Robert Townsend stars in “Of Boys and Men,” the third feature by Columbia alum Seaton (“One Week”), shot on a reported $650,000 budget.

The Independent Feature Project/Midwest has made no little plans. Foremost among them is the possible acquisition of the 15-year old eclectic Chicago Underground Film Festival, plus expanding the number of screenings, workshops and networking events.

To help achieve these goals, IFP’s board added five new members to increase the board size to 25 members.

“We have branched out and brought in ideas from experts beyond the film world,” says IFP executive director Elizabeth Donius, noting the new members’ expertise includes public relations, development and arts management.

Oscar-nominated Bill Siegel, who co-directed and produced “The Weather Underground,” will teach Chicago Filmmakers’ most popular class, “Developing the Documentary,” during its winter 2008 instructional program.

Siegel’s feature doc, the story of the radical activists and politics of the ?70s, won top prizes in four major festivals, and was nominated as best feature doc by the DGA and the International Documentary Association.

Fast on the heels of its smashingly successful fund-raising gala comes IFP/Chicago’s 16th annual Midwest Filmmakers Summit the weekend of Oct. 19.

“We’re just recovering from the gala,” good-naturedly moaned IFP executive director Elizabeth Donius who, with development director Colleen O’Neill and staff put on one kick-ass event.

A full house of 300 guests jammed Salvage One Friday, Sept. 28 to party, meet other indie filmmakers, bid on a slew of neat auction items, and leave IFP approximately $20,000 richer to use for programs throughout the year.

Usama Alshaibi’s return to his native Iraq after a 25-year absence forms the heart of his new feature documentary “Nice Bombs.”

“Nice Bombs” will have its world premiere as the opening night film of the 13th Annual Chicago Underground Film Festival, which runs Aug. 17-24.

An Iraqi native who grew up in the U.S., Alshaibi hadn’t been to Iraq since his childhood, when he returned after the U.S. invasion, with his father and his wife, fellow filmmaker Kristie Alshaibi.

LAUREN FISCHER is hitting her stride as a recognized screenwriter. On Aug. 31 her “Wish I Might”?winner of the 2005 IFP/Chicago-Chicago Scriptworks contest?will have a staged reading by Chicago Scriptworks at the Cultural Center.

“Wish I Might” is the story of two teenaged stepsisters and the one wish that will either bring them together or tear their family apart. It’s also a semi-finalist in the 2005 PAGE International Screenwriting Awards.

CHICAGO INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN’S FILM FESTIVAL early deadline is May 1. For short projects under 60-minutes fee is $40, longer and feature length entries pay $80. Fees increase by $10 from May 1-May 31. Festival takes place Oct. 27-Nov. 6. Best of Fest prize is $2,500. See www.cicff.org, or call Kathleen Beckman, 773/281-9075 for entry forms.

THE 12TH CHICAGO UNDERGROUND FILM FESTIVAL, being held this August, is accepting entries through May 1, late deadline June 1.

Ben Berkowitz and Ben Redgrave are fresh from a Sundance Film Festival that saw them make strides on their diverse feature projects.

At Sundance they attended the launch party for Duly Noted, Inc., the new Hollywood independent production company founded by Effie T. Brown (Jane Campion’s “In the Cut,” HBO’s “Everyday People”).

Now Brown is producing “Polish Bar” for Berkowitz to direct from a script he wrote with Redgrave. They are co-producing through their Benzfilm Group, with a Chicago shoot slated for this fall.

Comedy genius Willy Laszlo says he had the time of his life in Chicago. He had creative freedom. He had a good full-time day job. He worked hard. But he was always broke.

“So why not work hard and be broke in Los Angeles,” he rationalizes. And everyone who appreciates his vast talent agrees the move was long overdue.

Laszlo, the prolific writer/director of a remarkable 40 comedy shorts over an eight year period, quit his Comcast job, wrapped his last Chicago comedy, bid goodbye to his family, friends and supporters and headed for L.A. in mid-November.

This is the second in a two-part survey of local documentarians, who they are, their background and credits. Ranging from national leaders like Kartemquin, Towers and Kurtis Productions, to small to mid-size companies, they capture public imagination and affect social change by telling true stories.

Bob Hercules Looking for a movie tonight? Catch one of these non-traditional film series Chicago boasts one of the biggest and most vibrant independent film scenes in America, in terms of both production and outlets. To prove the point, Chicago is experiencing a boom in non-traditional screening series. In addition to a growing roster of annual film festivals, established and fledgling organizations host screenings scattered around the city at theatres, nightclubs and other venues. CUFF initiates Sloppy Seconds series with film by ‘Spielberg of Digital’ The new Sloppy Seconds screening series from the Chicago Underground Film Festival (CUFF) kicks off Feb. 4 with Todd Verow’s pioneering digital feature “Little Shots of Happiness.” Running every other Wednesday in the 100-seat Viaduct Theater, Sloppy Seconds features highlights from the festival’s 10-year history. Eventually it will showcase films that haven’t appeared in the fest. Sikora’s pioneering digital feature on Elgin rock band plays at Film Center Jim Sikora’s “Rock & Roll Punk” has three December screenings at the Film Center. Jim Sikora could have had one of the first digital features ever released. If it had ever been released. Eclectic filmmaker Jim Jarmusch tops multi-arts Movieside Film Fest Jim Jarmusch appears at the Movieside Film Festival Dec. 13 with two of his films. In his first Chicago speaking engagement, indie stalwart Jim Jarmusch heads up a colorful array of filmmakers and performers featured in the Second Anniversary Movieside Film Festival. Doc exploring artistic vs. corporate expression premieres at Underground Film Fest Before the recent spate of allegations about the adverse health effects of their products, Kraft Food Holdings had another adversary, in the unlikely guise of Wicker Park cartoonist Stu Helm. In 2002 Kraft sued Helm over his use of the name King Velveeda. The company asserted that Helm’s art tarnished the wholesome image of their Velveeta cheese products. Networking in Chicago, part two by Joan Tortorici Ruppert Bulletproof Film heads to Vietnam for veterans’ reconciliation doc Carmine Cervi (pictured) and his Bulletproof Film partner Ilko Davidov will shoot in Vietnam this August for their documentary “Teaching the Vietnam War: Reconciliation and Memory.” “Lizzie” director launches Indiefest film market “Lizzie” director Lee Alan is launching Indiefest, the Midwest’s first film market. Lee Alan is out to help what he believes is an underserved constituency: independent filmmakers. CUFF spends the entire year preparing a weeklong celebration This week, the Chicago Underground Film Festival is turning the Logan Theater into an audiovisual feast. The celebration is made possible not only by the passion and labor of artists from around the world, but also by the dedication of screeners who review thousands of submissions to create the annual schedule. CUFF prize shorts screen at new Co-Prosperity Sphere The first film screening of 2016 is called “As Above, So Below: A CUFF Satellite Sighting,” a collection of five award-winning short films that played at previous Chicago Underground Film Festival’s, will be held Friday Jan. 29 at 7:30 p.m. CUFF’s 20th season March 6-10 at the Logan Theatre “The festival or me personally?” Chicago Underground Film Festival programmer and artistic director Bryan Wendorf retorts when asked if he expected to be around this long. Full Spectrum Features announces Unbound Sound expanded cinema Full Spectrum Features (FSF) announces Unbound Sound, an expanded cinema event co-presented with Comfort Station Logan Square and in partnership with the Chicago Underground Film Festival. Supported by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), Unbound Sound builds on the well-loved tradition of presenting movies with the accompaniment of live music. Updating this … Continue reading “Full Spectrum Features announces Unbound Sound expanded cinema” The return of ‘Destroy Your Art’ Five filmmakers scheduled to annihilate work that has never been seen before or since on August 10 Next Saturday night, five Chicago filmmakers will literally “take a torch” to their work after premiering it in a North Lawndale warehouse. Destroy Your Art is “an annual immersive event that marries film and performance art for a … Continue reading “The return of ‘Destroy Your Art’” CIMM reboots to deliver year-round movies + music Legendary Chicago fest kicks off year-round agenda with the May 29 premiere of Manu Delago’s “Parasol Peak” followed by a live gig at Martyr’s After spending a decade as an annual film and music festival, Chicago International Movies + Music (CIMM) is transitioning to operate year round throughout the city. The upgrade begins with the … Continue reading “CIMM reboots to deliver year-round movies + music” David Winer launches Fancy Mountain Music & Sound ”The goal is always to help the narrative and to feel something. When you do, it’s lovely stuff.” David Winer On November 12, veteran musician and composer David Winer launched Fancy Mountain Music & Sound, a Chicago-based company serving the advertising and film industries. With decades of experience creating music for live, studio, commercial, and … Continue reading “David Winer launches Fancy Mountain Music & Sound” IFP welcomes new Exec Director Gregory Collins Raised in Kenya with over fifteen years in the film industry, Collins brings extensive experience and international perspective to organization’s future   (Chicago — 26 June 2018) IFP Chicago, a non-profit that supports filmmakers at every stage of production and presents the annual Chicago Underground Film Festival, today announces a new phase of leadership as … Continue reading “IFP welcomes new Exec Director Gregory Collins” “Geek Lounge” leads comedy lineup at May’s MIFF Larry Ziegelman’s funny poke at geek culture will be one of several short films and web series screening at the May 1st Midwest Independent Film Festival 2018 Comedy Shorts Night. The evening begins with a panel discussion about crowdfunding. According to acting MIFF director Mike Kwielford, a handful of filmmakers will get real about what … Continue reading ““Geek Lounge” leads comedy lineup at May’s MIFF” Karabas, “Real Prayers,” “Make Out Party,” and more RSA Films promotes Chris Karabas to executive producer Before the promotion, Chris Karabas was the Midwest representative for RSA Films. In his new role, Karabas is expected to utilize RSA Films’ resources to branch out into multiplatform storytelling – especially social media. Previously, Karabas worked for Shafer Antelis Music in the early 90s, was a … Continue reading “Karabas, “Real Prayers,” “Make Out Party,” and more” CUFF’s “Untapped Fundraiser” at Lagunitas Taproom On Monday night at Lagunitas Brewing Company’s Chicago Taproom, the Chicago Underground Film Festival’s “Untapped Fundraiser” will kick off a series of events in celebration of CUFF’s Silver Anniversary. Featuring a raffle, a cash bar, a few words about this year’s poster, and the groovy twang of Chicago musical quartet Fran, the evening is tailor-made … Continue reading “CUFF’s “Untapped Fundraiser” at Lagunitas Taproom” Vince Vaughn finally sells his Mag Mile penthouse VINCE VAUGHN IS GONE from Chicago, that is, he finally sold the three-story penthouse atop the Palmolive Building at 919 N. Michigan for a total $12.1 million, a little more than he originally paid for it and after splitting it into three different units. Lake Forest native Vaughn bought the penthouse in 2006 for $12 million while he and Jennifer Aniston were in Chicago filming (and also dating) the rom-com feature “The Break Up.” City’s Apprentice Producers program seeks applicants EMERGING INDIE AND MEDIAMAKERS have until Sept. 30 to apply for the Chicago Film Office’s Independent Producers Apprenticeship Program, It’s open to all who are interested in pursuing any kind of independent production or starting one’s own film company. New Stage 18 Production Partners meet with members Stage 18, Chicago’s Film and Media incubator at Cinespace, co-founded by Angie Gaffney, introduced its new Production Partners Program — 16 companies that provide resources and discounts — to its 40 members last Friday night at AbelCine’s showroom at Cinespace Studios. During the evening, the nonprofit once again delivered on its commitment to building Chicago’s independent film and narrative content community. 10th anniversary for cross-cultural Paco Collective PACO COLLECTIVE this week celebrated its 10th business anniversary, evolving from an Hispanic-focused multicultural marketing agency to a cross-cultural agency with such major clients as ComEd, the Chicago Bears, the Chicago White Sox and Blue Cross Blue Shield among others. Founded in 2006 by marketing expert Ozzie Godinez, CEO and innovative creator Pablo Acosta, CCO, the agency is now one of the fastest-growing minority-owned agencies in the Midwest and employs more than 40. Steve James topline speaker at IFP weekend conference One of Chicago’s famous four star directors will highlight this weekend’s welcome revival of the Independent Feature Project’s 20th annual Filmmakers Conference when it returns to its former long-time meeting space at Columbia College’s Film Row Theatre, Oct. 10-11. IFP revival: Fall Conference set, new director aboard IFP/Chicago’s annual Filmmaker Conference will return to its longtime home at Columbia College’s Film Row Cinema on Oct. 10-11 after being dormant for several years, before returning last year for an event at the Chicago Cultural Center. April blossoms with new show, fests, screenings, et al CNGM PICTURES, led by EP Michael P. May 10 fundraiser for ‘ChiTown’ basketball doc A FUNDRAISER FOR CHITOWN, a documentary-in-progress from New York-based reality TV show director/producer Nick Budabin (Cake Boss, Kathy Griffin), who started shooting when he spent time here in 2011 producing “Season 25: Oprah Behind the Scenes,” will be held Thursday, May 10 at The Joynt, 650 N. Dearborn, from 6-9 p.m.  Ron Lazzeretti’s feature opens Lake County Fest, March 17-31 WRITER/PRODUCER RON LAZZERETTI’S Something Better Somewhere Else is the opening feature of the lean, stripped down 8th annual Lake County Film Festival, March 17, and running through March 21 at the College of Lake County in Grayslake.   Former Draftfcb creative director and Merry Gentleman writer/producer Lazzeretti’s feature is a collection of bittersweet comedic shorts loosely connected by the theme of people fumbling to connect with each other.   It screens Thursday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at noon. Keefe produces fridaynitebYtes web comedy series JOE KEEFE of Long Tail Media Group is producing fridaynitebYtes,  a streaming comedy sketch series targeted to tween-and-teen internet users. The members contribute their sketch ideas and a professional cast and crew creates a show based on their ideas. “This is where young members can contribute to upcoming episodes and learn comedy and production skills,” says Keefe, the founding executive producer of Second City Com he says. Directorial debut for composer Gina Fontanini GINA FONTANINI, a film composer and music supervisor who worked at Studio Chicago/Music Industry Workshop, is making her directorial debut with the feature “Follow the Leader,” shooting in Chicago, New York and Prague this summer. Fontanini worked with writer Christina Koustenis on the screenplay, based on Czech-born artist Misa Verbeek’s experience growing up in Czechoslovakia and immigrating to the U.S. as a young woman. “Follow the Leader” is a coproduction of Fontanini’s La Gi Productions and New York music house Third Rail Productions. “Something for everybody” Roger Ebert will make a special guest appearance at the closing ceremonies of the Naperville Film Festival, one of ten film festivals being held in Chicago and Downstate this month. Altogether, around 500 independent films — narratives, horror, drama, documentary, animated, experimental, to suit every film buff, including many by local filmmakers — will be showcased. And to cap this indie film month, the Independent Feature Project will hold its annual Film Gala, Sept. 26, to raise funds for programs and events to support local independent filmmakers. IFP board gives Lynn Steadman interim executive director status, at least through end of the year Lynn Steadman has a busy two months ahead of her. The newly named interim executive director of the Independent Feature Project/Chicago is working on two big, important and almost back-to-back annual events. Steadman has been named the provisional successor to Elizabeth Donius, who resigned in early August after four solid years of building one of Chicago’s oldest film organizations. “I will try to become more involved in the community,” said Steadman, who had been with IFP as assistant executive director since March, 2007. Executive director Donius to leave IFP in August; board now accepting resumes for her position The IFP is in search mode for a new executive director to succeed popular, energetic Elizabeth Donius who leaves Chicago August 15 to move to Connecticut. The IFP board is accepting resumes for from candidates with both film and non-profit organization experience to fill the position, which Donius has held for the past four years. Donius says she is proud of accomplishments during “the period of growth” she helmed. Usama Alshaibi’s personal Iraq doc, “Nice Bombs,” lands March premiere airing on Sundance Channel USAMA ALSHAIBI’S “Nice Bombs” will have its broadcast premiere this March on the Sundance Channel. Producer Ben Berkowitz negotiated the deal with Sundance and also with Seventh Art Releasing for the documentary’s summer ’07 theatrical run. “Nice Bombs” chronicles the journey of Alshaibi, his wife and father after a 20-year absence during the early days of the U.S. occupation and Alshaibi’s conflicted feelings about the U.S. overthrow of Saddam Hussein. Alshaibi’s personal Iraq doc “Nice Bombs” due for summer theatrical run from Seventh Art Releasing Usama Alshaibi’s personal Iraq documentary “Nice Bombs” will get a theatrical release in markets including Chicago and New York this summer through Seventh Art Releasing. “The deal is for all North American rights, all media,” said producer Ben Berkowitz. “It will include broadcast and DVD following the theatrical but we cannot go into details now.” Berkowitz produced “Nice Bombs” with Usama’s wife Kristie Alshaibi, and Ben Redgrave, Berkowitz’ partner in Benzfilm Group. Walking 60 feet above the Chinese desert: Deborah Stratman on her amazing “Kings of the Sky” doc Deborah Stratman didn’t speak the language or know anyone in the Western Chinese Taklamakan desert when she went there alone in 2001 to shoot her documentary “Kings of the Sky.” Without a translator, the UIC film teacher spent four months on tour with a circus troupe led by Adil Hoxur, the leading practitioner of Dawaz, the traditional tightrope-walking style of the Uyghur Muslim ethnic minority. In “Kings of the Sky” Stratman paints an impressionistic portrait of Hoxur and his art, symbols of cultural and nationalist pride for the oppressed Uyghur. REELSCREEN: News & Notes – 08/13/04 WHEW, OPRAH STAYS PUT. The tension’s over as to whether she would or wouldn’t opt out of TV and Chicago at the end of her current contract. But we can relax. Oprah is not going to hang it up after all. Her newly-signed contract will keep her on TV through 2011 ? and assure continuing jobs for the nearly 300 people who work on the show. By 2011, “The Oprah Winfrey Show” will have been on a full 25 seasons. And they say there’s no indication that the 25th season will be the last. REELSCREEN: News & Notes – 07/26/04 IN PRODUCTION. “Batman: The Intimidation Game” rolls into town July 26 for three weeks ? “The Amityville Horror,” directed by Andrew Douglas starts shooting Aug. 2 at locations around Lake Geneva, Kenosha and Silver Lake, Wisconsin. It stars Ryan Reynolds and Melissa George as the ill-fated homeowners George and Kathy Lutz. State Street Productions’ “Roll Bounce,” directed by Malcolm D. Lee continues filming here until Aug. 20. It was originally set in San Diego but the location changed so it could be filmed here. Horror, heavy metal and art combine in feature, five years in production Justin Baron is nearing the end of a five-year odyssey to complete his debut feature, “Peep Show.” Baron began shooting the 16mm film shortly after he graduated from Columbia College in 1998, financing the under-$100,000 budget mostly from his earnings as a parking valet. CAFM to hold “2020 Holiday Hurrah” party on Zoom Multiple raffles, Zoom Breakout Rooms, and prizes for your most creative holiday attire are all on tap as the Chicago Acting In Film Meetup NFP (CAFM) wraps up the year with a film industry party, fundraiser, and networking night.  The 12th Annual CAFM Holiday Hurrah (on ZOOM!) happens Monday, December 14, 2020 from 7:00 p.m. … Continue reading “CAFM to hold “2020 Holiday Hurrah” party on Zoom” DePaul’s Eltanal & Khatami chosen for IFP fellowship DePaul School of Cinematic Arts announced that Assistant Professors, Ronald Eltanal and Alireza Khatami, have been selected for the prestigious IFP Episodic Lab fellowship program for their project titled, Tenure. The Independent Filmmaker Project (IFP) announced today twenty-six feature projects and series selected to participate across three labs over the next month: The IFP Filmmaker … Continue reading “DePaul’s Eltanal & Khatami chosen for IFP fellowship” CAFM says “Hurrah” for 2019 December 9th Film Industry Holiday Party and Fundraiser at Carbon Arc features networking, raffle prizes, silent auction, “Winter Weekend Getaway,” and more Tasty food, cool prizes, and dancing are on the menu as the Chicago Acting In Film Meetup (CAFM) celebrates 2019 with a film industry party, fundraiser, and networking night all rolled into one. … Continue reading “CAFM says “Hurrah” for 2019” A sneak peek at Billy Dec’s ‘Food. Roots. Philippines.’ Chicago’s award-winning restaurateur and media personality films a quest for family and food in Southeast Asia Billy Dec’s Food. Roots. Philippines. explores an ancient recipe for success on the other side of the world. Currently in post-production, the PBS project is a journey into the country, culture, and cuisine of his ancestors. The Southeast Asian … Continue reading “A sneak peek at Billy Dec’s ‘Food. Roots. Philippines.’” Tony Hawk helps spread “Concrete Dreams” Chicago-made skatepark doc gains widespread distribution on legendary athlete’s YouTube channel Concrete Dreams, a documentary about public skateparks written and directed by Little Cabin Films co-founder Nick Nummerdor, has gained distribution through Tony Hawks’ RIDE Channel on YouTube. Concrete Dreams documents the decade-long struggle and ultimate triumph of Paulina Jimenez, a “suburban super-mom” who spearheads … Continue reading “Tony Hawk helps spread “Concrete Dreams”” “Kappa Force” to deliver punch at Logan on July 29 The new web-series features five sorority sisters fighting the patriarchy, one frat boy at a time   Kappa Force is a satirical web series about a crime-fighting sorority that takes on the evil El Douche of Sigma Sigma Epsilon. Director Hannah Welever and writer/producer Addison Heimann’s Kappa Force is having its hometown premiere on Sunday, … Continue reading ““Kappa Force” to deliver punch at Logan on July 29”  1,031 total views AFI Closes with tribute to Aaron Sorkin The 50th annual American Film Institute Festival came to a resounding close last Thursday night with a moving tribute at The Chinese Theater for writer/director Aaron Sorkin and his new (and directorial debut) film, Molly’s Game. AFI programming director, Jacqueline Lyanga, kicked off the tribute with a moving speech. “As Sorkin embarks on this next … Continue reading “AFI Closes with tribute to Aaron Sorkin” 11:33 a.m. — Stage 18 There’s always something going on at Stage 18, and it’s usually pretty cool. Right now, the Public Relations director of Chicago’s Underground Film Festival is preparing to make a call for 2018 submissions, J Jack Productions is writing an inside scoop for the newsletter “Exposing the Crew,” and Digital Hydra is working on its latest … Continue reading “11:33 a.m. — Stage 18” Nic Collins’ sci-fi comedy webseries now on YouTube “YEAR OF THE SNAKE,” called by its filmmaker, Nic Collins, “a sci-fi, punk rock, genre-bending omedy webseries about a lovable, childish alien named Snake,” is now available on YouTube.  Charles Chung is R/GA’s new head of production R/GA CHICAGO hired Charles Chung as executive production director to oversee the agency’s production, from DigitasLBi, where he was VP/group director of integrated production, where he served clients Taco Bell, MillerCoors, Sony. Finitzo doc kicks off CPL’s One Book One City program ONE BOOK ONE CHICAGO has selected award-winning Maria Finitzo / Kartemquin’s “In the Game” doc about a Latino girls’ soccer team at Brighton Park high school for inclusion in the citywide program.  Docmaker Michael Moore has 2 dates here this week MICHAEL MOORE AND MICHAEL SHANNON light up our celeb scene over the next few weeks while they’re in Chicago. Tonight, Moore will  present the 25th anniversary screening of his first doc, “Roger & Me,” at the 50th Chicago International Film Festival, at the AMC River East theatre at 7 p.m. Nearing’s period mystery premieres at Black Harvest WRITER/DIRECTOR DANIEL NEARING’S murder mystery, Hogtown, with a multi-racial cast of 70, filmed in black-and-white and set in post WWI Chicago, premieres at the Gene Siskel Film Center’s 20th Black Harvest Film Festival, Aug. 22 and 25.  Dickens’ feature doc wins Best of Midwest award KY DICKENS’ FEATURE DOC, Sole Survivor, keeps winning honors and acclaim, the latest being the Best Feature award from the Midwest independent Film Festival, presented in front of a record crowd at The Underground Tuesday night.  Dickens’ award was one in nine categories, winning among 52 films that screened at MWFF in 2013.  It’s that time again: Optimus Block Party on Aug. 2 OPTIMUS 18TH ANNUAL BLOCK PARTY is right around the corner on Friday, Aug. 2 (always the first Friday in August) bringing together clients, colleagues and friends for its annual summer afternoon-into-night of fun.  “Yes, we’ll have a special guest as always,” someone well known and unexpected promises Gretchen Praeger, VP/managing director of Optimus post, and one of the party planners.  Siegel teams with Kartemquin for Muhammad Ali doc DOCUMENTARIAN BILL SIEGEL producer director of the Oscar nominated The Weather Underground is directing the ITVS-backed, Kartemquin-produced documentary The Trials of Muhammad Ali.  The story is about the heavyweight boxing champion’s battle to overturn his five-year prison sentence for d After 4 years, feature doc ‘Skate or Die’ in post AFTER FOUR YEARS IN PRODUCTION and 100 hours of footage, director Ryan Ferguson and producer Azam Ahmed are in post-production on the feature documentary Skate or Die.   The story is about Little Village skateboarding activist Leo Castillo, who turned to skateboarding as a refuge from gang violence, only to suffer a potentially debilitating gunshot wound. 50 movies and live music mix at April 12-15 CIMMfest There’s going to be a whole lotta shakin’ goin’ on when movies about punk rockers like The Mekons, Detroit’s MC5 and The Stooges and special appearances by musicians, filmmakers and actors, including Lizzy Caplan, Joe Lo Truglio, Bobby Bare Jr. and Matt Walsh hit Chicago at the Chicago International Music and Movies Festival (CIMMfest). Party launches Evanston’s Talking Pictures Fest A PRE-FEST PARTY Feb. 23 launches Percolator Films’ 4th annual Talking Pictures Festival from 7-10 p.m. at the Hilton Orrington Hotel’s Indigo Lounge, 1710 Orrington Avenue in Evanston.  Talking Pictures Festival runs March 8-11. In honor of International Women’s Day, the festival opens with Léa Pool’s timely Canadian documentary Pink Ribbons, Inc., an exposé on the saturated marketing campaigns and administration-heavy budgets of breast cancer advocacy group Susan G. Komen For the Cure.  Nov. 26 screening at new Southside Hub of Production A TRIO OF SHORT FILMS about the Middle East and Middle East views of America will screen Saturday, Nov. 26 at the quite new Southside Hub of Production cultural center in Hyde Park.  SHoP is located in the historic  Fenn House, a 16-room Victorian mansion across the street from the University of Chicago campus. June screening schedule has something for everyone FILMMAKERS AND FILM BUFFS will have no problem finding a festival, screening series or premiere offerings to their varied tastes this month. SHOCK THEATRE’S new monthly series from the second Golden Age of Horror, the late ‘50s and early ‘60s, starts running the first Friday of every month, June 3, through December, at the new Wicker Park Arts Center.  Ad community shorts on display Oct. 6 Eighty minutes worth of short films, from comedy to dreamy gritty docs produced by creatives at ad agencies and post/production houses, will be showcased Oct. 6, thanks the first-time link-up between AICP Midwest and the Midwest Independent Film Festival. The first annual Advertising Community Shorts Night takes place Oct. 6 at the Landmark Century theatre. Nine of the dozen shorts of varying lengths were home grown; other submissions came from Indianapolis, Southfield, Mich. and Minneapolis. Inspired by Studs Terkel’s working class stories doc maker Daniel Kraus embarks on WORK series While Daniel Kraus has made three features, he’s now concentrating on the cinema-verite documentary. The WORK series, as Kraus terms it, is inspired by the writings of Studs Terkel and his books on ordinary people’s occupations. The second film in the WORK series, “Musician,” is about Chicago jazz genius Ken Vandermark as he composes, rehearses, and cobbles together gigs. Kraus’ previous WORK doc, “Sheriff,” aired on PBS’ Independent Lens series and will be released on DVD by Facets in the fall. Independent Production Roundup PAULA FROEHLE is in production on her 2004 IFP/Chicago Production Fund-winning short “Up on the Rope.” Froehle is shooting on an elaborate set at Resolution Digital Studios, part of the Production Fund’s $100,000 in in-kind goods and services. She’s the production program director at Columbia College and co-owner of the avant-jazz label Atavistic. Froehle adapted the script, a love-story about a 12-year-old tight rope walker who has spent his entire life 10 feet off the ground, from a short story by Cristina Peri Rossi. Independent Production Roundup SPLIT PILLOW’S CHALLENGE 3.0, the group’s third annual collaborative filmmaking contest, runs Memorial Day weekend, May 27-30. Friday, each filmmaking team writes a short script in 12 hours in an assigned genre. Saturday, teams exchange scripts and each team has 24 hours to shoot their film based on the script they’ve received. Sunday, teams exchange footage and each team has 24 hours to edit the footage they’ve received. Independent Production Roundup JULIA LING, who guested on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” has signed to play the lead role in Nathyn Masters’ Hong Kong-style martial arts pic “Silvergun Samurai,” slated to shoot on DV later this year. Ling joins a cast that includes Robert Z’Dar, Valerie Mikita, and Shawn Bernal. “Silvergun” is Masters’ followup to the apocalyptic thriller “The Fourth Beast,” now out on DVD from York Entertainment. See www.the4thbeast.com. Grant funds half of post costs for Iraq doc; producer Alshaibi releases shorts DVD, readies final Z Fest Fresh off receiving a major grant for his in-progress feature documentary “Nice Bombs,” Usama Alshaibi is releasing a DVD compilation of his short works Feb. 12 and preparing for what he said will be the final Z Film Festival this March. In January the Creative Capital Arts Foundation awarded Alshaibi a grant covering “nearly half” of his projected $20-30,000 post-production budget for “Nice Bombs.” “[The Foundation] encouraged me to apply for additional funding,” Alshaibi said. “They act as an executive producer of your project, following along and working closely with me. Independent Production Roundup PHIL DONLON’S Super 16mm short “A Series of Small Things,” which shot here last May, has its local premiere in a private screening Wednesday, Dec. 15 at 7:30 p.m. at the Adler Planetarium’s Universe Theater, 1300 S. Lake Shore Drive. Doug Jones (“Hellboy”) stars in this 23-minute drama about the personal aftermath of a fatal hit-and- run. Producers are Dale Ingram, cinematographer Jim Andre of Film Branch and editor Steve Ordower of Rhythm & Light. IFP awards production fund to Columbia prof Froehle for her short “Up On The Rope” Columbia College production program director Paula Froehle has been awarded IFP/Chicago’s $100,000-value Production Fund grant to produce her experimental narrative “Up On The Rope.” Froehle adapted the script from the short story by Cristina Peri Rossi. It’s a love story centering on a twelve-year-old tight rope walker who has spent his entire life ten feet off the ground. Independent Production Roundup KYLE HARRIS of Liberty Movies shoots the first third of his experimental narrative feature “The Patriarchs” Aug. 7-25. The first section follows a romance between an older gay activist and a young anarchist punk. “I’m interested in the intergenerational conflicts and desires between the previous, ‘ACT UP generation’ that’s lived through AIDS, and the younger queer generation working on anti-capitalist struggles,” said Harris, who teaches film and video at Columbia College and through the After School Matters program. REELSCREEN: News and Notes TEST SPOT GURU and Daily Planet founder Fred Berkover continues to ply his years of expertise with a new company partnered with Swell president Mike Topel. Tentatively named Stealth, the company is located on the 14th floor of NBC Tower, as is 59 Films, Ron Lazzeretti and Ed Amaya’s production company. OCT. 4 IS THE DATE set for the IFO’s “Sweet Home Illinois” party for Chicagoans who now work in the L.A. film industry. Spot producer developing home makeover comedy TV pilot Glencoe commercial and corporate video company Production House is developing a comedy home makeover TV series that producer Mark Tulloss describes as “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy” meets “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” KGB Agent 57 transforms into 90/94 Pictures; shoots inaugural short 90/94 Pictures partners (from left) Henzel Francisco, John Heinze, Chad Larys, Kevin Bruce, Matthew Heinze, and Joe Mocarski. KGB Agent 57 Productions is putting their lab coats on the auction block and starting over. Cutting edge “The Cliffhanger” collaborative feature bows Nov. 17 Joel Paul Reisig in the collaborative improvisational feature “The Cliffhanger,” premiering Nov. 17   Loading Comments...   Write a Comment... Email Name Website