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Reel Chicago is a daily digital magazine that covers the news in Chicago on all aspects of advertising, film, TV, media and production. The content is original, written by industry experts and contributing Op Eds
For the past 15 years, the Midwest Independent Film Festival has been showcasing Midwest filmmakers at monthly screenings known as “First Tuesdays.” Over the past two years, MIFF leadership, board members, and volunteers have weathered personnel changes, programming challenges, and attendance ebbs and flows. Now, the Fest is embarking on a major transformation, led by … Continue reading “Erica Duffy describes her Midwest Film Fest vision”
The Midwest Independent Film Festival, which has been in somewhat of an identity makeover since Mike McNamara stepped down from the role of executive director in 2017, is placing its bets on Camera Ambassador’s managing partner Erica Duffy to right the ship. The nonprofit organization has been a staple of Chicago’s independent film community since … Continue reading “Erica Duffy is MIFF’s new executive director”
Erica Duffy, a transplant from San Francisco, has been part of the Chicago film community for 6 years and counting. No stranger to film production, she’s the proud owner of Camera Ambassador, a local rental house in Chicago. Camera Ambassador provides resources and services to filmmakers such as workshops and screenings. The space also hosts … Continue reading “MFF launches 2020 season under new director Duffy”
“MAYA ANGELOU: THE PEOPLE’S POET,” the feature doc being produced by Media Process Group’s Bob Hercules and Keith Walker, will air on PBS’ “American Masters” when it is completed next February.
From Gravitas Ventures, Cinestone’s newest feature film, Exodus, is in the realm of sci-fi adventure with hints of thriller elements and post-apocalyptic themes. Throughout the film we follow Connor (Jimi Stanton), an enforcer in a small town several years after the rapture. When he discovers a VHS tape painting the image of a door to … Continue reading “Chicago filmmaker releases feature length sci-fi adventure”
This past summer, director and writer Sean Sankalp Raju won the Camera Ambassador Community Builders Grant for his project A Nickname. The autobiographical short film tells the story of how the filmmaker received the moniker, Sean, as an Indian American child. In an economy where funding an independent film is especially difficult, Raju was ecstatic … Continue reading “Camera Ambassador Grant winner Raju faces challenges”
The Midwest Film Festival is delighted to announce three upcoming events to round out the 2020 season, all taking place at Chi-Town Movies Drive-In, located in Pilsen. Based on the sold-out success last month of Female Filmmakers Shorts Night, Erica Duffy, Executive Director, and the MFF Board, want to charge ahead with screenings, to fulfill … Continue reading “Midwest Film Fest announces drive-in events”
Film 765 has announced the winner of The Film Race – Home Edition which set out to allow Chicago filmmakers the opportunity to tell their stories amid the COVID 19 pandemic. “We are thrilled to announce that Sasha Kuznetsov has taken first place with his short film Fly High.”, said Joe Buser, CEO and Founder … Continue reading “Film 765 announces Film Race-Home Edition winner”
Come and enjoy an amazing line-up for Female Filmmaker Night. The ChiTown Drive-in opens at 7:00pm and the screening begins at 8:15pm, followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers. In partnership with Chi Town Movies and The Gene Siskel Film Center, the Midwest Film Festival announces that they are resuming their 2020 season programming with … Continue reading “Midwest Film Festival resumes with a night at the drive-in”
Just when we needed it the most, the Midwest Film Festival (MFF) is participating in #GivingTuesday by giving viewers access to their Comedy Shorts Program online, free of charge. Originally presented in February as the 2020 season opener program, there are 10 films available to view that touch on a wide variety of topics, all with one goal … Continue reading “MFF offers free online Comedy Shorts Program”
Adding an arsenal of rentable gear to a film, music, and tech industry nexus will help Chicago’s production community dial it up to eleven Camera Ambassador and 2112 are going all in to help filmmakers get it done. Through a partnership announced last week, the equipment rental shop and the film incubator are combining their … Continue reading “Camera Ambassador, 2112 launch partnership”
Chicago-based equipment rental house to award winning filmmaker with nearly $10K in cash, gear, and goodies Camera Ambassador is offering creators a chance to win nearly $10k worth of funding, gear, and other goodies by way of a Builders Grant designed “to recognize accomplished individuals, as well as provide opportunities for young and emerging artists.” … Continue reading “Camera Ambassador announces Builders Grant”
A 5-ton GMC and a 3-ton Ford are the most recent additions to the Chicago-based, multifunctional vendor and production partner Camera Ambassador added a pair of grip trucks to its rental inventory this summer. Both of the vehicles in the new fleet — a 5-ton GMC and a 3-ton Ford — were customized by founders … Continue reading “Camera Ambassador expands with a pair of grip trucks”
“When we’re talking about issues of gender equality and representation, I think it’s an everybody problem.” Executive Director, Amy Guth For the first time in its history, the Midwest Independent Film Festival will screen a juried selection of work during the annual Female Filmmakers Night celebration, which takes place Tuesday August 7th at Landmark Century … Continue reading “MIFF presents first-ever juried Female Filmmaker Night”
Chicago camera and equipment rental house Camera Ambassador has announced that it will reopen for business beginning this Friday, May 1st. “Beginning May 1st, we’re officially open with curbside pick up and sanitized equipment! Email us to make your order today!” its Instagram post reads. Subscribe: Sign up for our FREE e-lert here. Stay on top of … Continue reading “Camera Ambassador set to reopen May 1st”
Talus Films, in partnership with DCASE and Camera Ambassador, presents the 12×12 Showcase on March 7th from 1:30pm to 4:30pm. 12×12 is an original film project developed by newly founded Chicago production company, Talus Films. Throughout 2019, the project explored the richness of storytelling by producing 12 collaborations in 12 months. The resulting trio of … Continue reading “Talus Films presents ‘12X12 Showcase’ at Cultural Center”
I love the Y. When I used to live in Barrington IL, most mornings — except the god-awful ones that started at 80 below — began with a 5:30 AM trip to the YMCA, which was right down the street from my house. My daughter Max, was on the Y’s gymnastics team all through elementary … Continue reading “YMCA dives back into the community with new campaign from Droga5”
Cutters Studios’ “Project For Good” is a companywide inspiration to get creative about dedicating time, talent and resources to create positive change in the world. The first cycle of the ongoing effort is explained in a four-minute film about Bootstrap Villages, a nonprofit organization devoted to building a community of “tiny houses” for the less … Continue reading “Cutters launches “Project For Good””
“AN EVENING WITH VALERIE JARRETT,” a presentation of The HistoryMakers, the massive archive of interviews with notable African American leaders now part of the Library of Congress, airs on WTTW/11 today and tomorrow.
The interview with President Obama’s senior advisor about her rich life and career will air on national PBS in February. The program is dedicated in honor of Gwen Ifill, the late PBS media journalist who had hosted many HistoryMakers’ interviews in Washington, D.C. over the past 10 years.
For Kevin Pang and Mark Helenowski having their first documentary accepted for a world premiere at SXSW Film, Music and Digital Festival after more than three years in the works, was like winning the lottery, says Helenowski, sounding still awed at their unexpected good fortune.
9-15 THE CHICAGO CRITICS FILM FESTIVAL the first festival programmed entirely by Chicago Film Critics Association members, presents 24 international festival favorites, including festival shorts programs and work as yet-undistributed work. Actors, writers and producers to attend.
It’s taken what seemed like an eternity — well, close to it — for Cramer-Krasselt/Chicago to debut its first ad campaign for new client St. Louis-based Panera Bread.
This is one of those joyous occasions, however, when it pleases us to say the result was well worth the wait.
And now that the campaign has launched (as of Monday), it’s rather easy to see why we had to wait so long.
From the imaginative and colorful opening title sequence of “Close Quarters,” we are in the hands of debut feature filmmaker, Jack C. Newell, who is firmly in control of his craft.
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