| Reel Chicago – At the intersection of Chicago Advertising, Entertainment, Media and Production
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
This morning, Director of the Chicago Film Office, Kwame Amoaku, announced that he would be resigning from his position on Friday, June 3. He made the announcement on his Facebook page. “To Chicago Film Community I am writing this letter to inform everyone that my last day as Director of the Chicago Film Office will … Continue reading “Kwame Amoaku steps down from Film Office”
Chicago Police Department posted a tweet with a video of three people brutally attacking Kwame Amoaku, Director of the Chicago Film Office. The post also included surveillance video of his attackers shopping at the North Riverside Park Mall after the attack. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot appointed Amoaku to lead the city’s film office in July … Continue reading “Police ask for help and release videos of Kwame Amoaku’s attackers”
Friday, Reel Chicago reported that beloved Chicago Film Director Kwame Amoaku, was brutally attacked Wednesday morning. He posted on his Facebook page: “This a.m. I was attacked beaten and my car stolen by three kids. Thanks to all who have reached out. I’m in the ICU I’m going to be ok.” His Facebook post was … Continue reading “Update: New details on the Kwame Amoaku attack”
Multi-faceted film pro who has collaborated with Russel Simmons and Spike Lee “would love to talk and build with Steve McQueen.” Kwame Amoaku’s vast experience as a writer / director / camera operator brings a unique vision to the cinematic experience. Combine that with years as a production manager / locations and assistant director and … Continue reading “Reel Black List: Kwame Amoaku, Cinematic Samurai”
Newly installed office-holders explain their plans for keeping Chicago and Illinois on the path of success The thriving regional film industry is only going to get better, according to two of its recently appointed top leaders. Illinois Film Office Executive Director Peter Hawley and Director of the Chicago Film Office Kwame Amoaku described their visions … Continue reading “Hawley and Amoaku help film industry move forward”
Versatile 25-year vet is the first African-American appointed to vital and visible leadership role The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) today announced Kwame Amoaku as Director of the Chicago Film Office. Amoaku replaces longtime director of the Chicago Film Office, Rich Moskal, who retired last November. The first African American to hold … Continue reading “Amoaku named Chicago Film Office Director”
Governor JB Pritzker and Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot have announced that projected film revenues in 2021 hit a record high of $630 million, shattering pre-pandemic levels in 2019 by $70 million. Film production revenues are the costs associated with film, television, streaming, and digital media, which have steadily increased over the past 10 years. Additionally, … Continue reading “Illinois shatters record for film revenues with $630 million in 2021”
On Saturday, Mayor Lori Lightfoot spoke to adolescents between the ages of 14 and 24 at the Harold Washington Library during a special town hall meeting addressing safety efforts in specific regions of Chicago. The special town hall meetings to address safety within the city began right after Lori Lightfoot’s appointed Chicago Film Office Director, … Continue reading “Lightfoot says carjacking spikes linked to kids feeling unloved”
Kwame Amoaku, the beloved Director of the Chicago Film Office, was brutally attacked in the early hours of Thursday morning. He posted on his Facebook page that he is currently recovering in ICU. “This a.m. I was attacked beaten and my car stolen by three kids. Thanks to all who have reached out. I’m in … Continue reading “Film Office Director brutally attacked in carjacking”
Midwest Film Festival presents their annual awards gala – Best of the Midwest Awards (BMAs) on Tuesday, February 1st at CineCity Chicago. Starting at 7:00pm, guests are invited to enjoy networking, an open bar, groovy DJ tunes, and lite bites. 8:00pm begins the exciting awards ceremony that includes clips from each nominated film, special guests from the community … Continue reading “Midwest Film Festival presents The Best of The Midwest Awards”
Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and the Chicago Film Office at the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) announced a new initiative to strengthen Chicago’s TV and film industry. The new “Chicago Made” workforce development program and public awareness campaign are based on recommendations from the City of Chicago’s COVID-19 Recovery Task Force outlined … Continue reading “Mayor Lightfoot and DCASE announce new Chicago Made’ TV & Film Initiative”
The Regal Mile Studios, a proposed $60 million film studio planned for Chicago’s South Shore neighborhood received preliminary approval from a Chicago commission. The Plan Commission unanimously approved a proposal for a “state-of-the-art media campus” with 220,000 square feet of studio space on a 6.5-acre plot in the far southwest corner of South Shore. A … Continue reading “South Shore’s Regal Mile Studios receives city approval”
2112 and the Center for Creative Entrepreneurship (CCE) announced the launch of SyncChicago, an initiative to grow Chicago’s commercial music licensing industry. Funded by a Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) CityArts Program grant in support of the Year of Chicago Music, SyncChicago will focus on promotion, advocacy, and education to increase revenues … Continue reading “2112 launches SyncChicago to support music licensing”
Full Spectrum Features, the Chicago-based non-profit committed to driving equity into the film industry, announced the five producers selected for its second annual Chicago Independent Producers Lab, a year-long project incubator designed to cultivate Chicago’s vibrant independent film industry. In partnership with the Chicago Film Office’s Independent Film Initiative, the Lab offers one-on-one customized mentorship … Continue reading “Chicago Independent Producers Lab selects 5 producers”
Chicago State University (CSU) connects local film and television professionals with industry leaders during a free virtual four-day Black Media & Entertainment Industry Conference, April 27-30. Sponsored by the Department of Communications, Media Arts & Theatre Department at CSU, this power-packed event features keynote speaker Louis Carr, President of Media Sales for BET Networks. Among … Continue reading “Black Media & Entertainment Industry Conference at CSU”
The Indie Film Town Hall series brings together Chicago’s independent film and media-making community during these difficult times. In a series of lunchtime meetings over Zoom, members of Chicago’s indie film and media organizations will discuss the challenges that face our industries and actions we are taking in support of each other and Chicago-area creators. … Continue reading “Indie Film Town Hall: Legal and Insurance Challenges”
With the world slowly reopening, the film, advertising and TV industries are in search of answers, especially with COVID-19 and demonstrations still ongoing. With economic and political uncertainty pushing insecurities, filmmakers, actors, and other collaborators look to the Illinois Film Office and Chicago Film Office. This week, the Chicago Film Office website posted their Be … Continue reading “Chicago Film Office lists new production guidelines”
The Indie Film Town Hall series brings together Chicago’s independent film and media-making community during these difficult times. In a series of lunchtime meetings over Zoom, members of Chicago’s indie film and media organizations will discuss the challenges that face our industries and actions we are taking in support of each other and Chicago-area creators. … Continue reading “Indie Film Town Hall: Production and New Protocols”
Round Two of the Indie Film Town Hall was held on Thursday, May 28th. The Town Hall meetings bring together Chicago’s independent film and media-making community during these difficult times. In a series of lunchtime meetings over Zoom, members of Chicago’s indie film and media organizations will discuss the challenges that face our industries and … Continue reading “Round two of the Indie Film Town Hall was held Thursday”
The Chicago Film Office, Rubinstein Law, and Emanuel Congregation present a new screenwriting competition for Chicago-based feature and television scripts. Accepting Features and TV Pilots The Chicago Film Office, Rubenstein Law Firm, and Emanuel Congregation present the Chicago Social Justice Screenwriting Competition. This competition aims to further the voice of the disenfranchised though narrative media … Continue reading “Chicago Film Office presents screenwriting competition”
A quintet of leaders gathered to announce another record-breaking year of film, television, and media production in Illinois this morning at Kennedy-King College’s 6,000 square foot sound stage in Englewood. According to the Illinois Film Office, the industry helped add nearly $560 million to the economy last year. Manifesting itself in job creation and local … Continue reading “Illinois production scores another record-breaking year”
A cohort of young professionals assured industry leaders that the future of Chicago production is in good hands at Cinespace Chicago Film Studios on Monday afternoon. Highlighting the Wrap Party for the Mirkopoulos Internship Program, each member of the group had just finished working as temporary crew on Chicago Fire / PD / Med, and … Continue reading “CineCares’ Mirkopoulos Internship cohort keeps it going”
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”
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”
“As long as I can stand up and work, I will try to contribute.” Kenneth Tsang Kong Chicago’s Asian Pop-Up Cinema festival honored Chinese-born actor and director Kenneth Tsang Kong with a career achievement award before the premiere of The Attorney during the finale of its 2019 Fall Program on Thursday night at AMC River … Continue reading “Kenneth Tsang accepts lifetime achievement award”
Film leaders echo the inspiration of emerging creators at Founder’s Circle fundraising event A panel of young professionals made it clear that Free Spirit Media is worth the hype that it consistently generates during an event at the Arts Club of Chicago on October 1. Explaining the organization’s worthiness to a room full of … Continue reading “Free Spirit Media succeeds at ‘Building Bridges’”
Event auction prizes include lunch with IFO Director Peter Hawley, CFO Director Kwame Amoaku, and Cinespace Chicago President Alex Pissios IFP Chicago’s new associate board is proud to announce that their first annual fundraiser will be hosted by Lagunitas at the Lagunitas brewery facility near Cinespace Studios at 2607 W 17th St. on September 30, … Continue reading “IFP throws first annual fundraiser at Lagunitas”
Master Classes with Oscar and Sundance winners are just a few of the events scheduled for October 17-20 program The 55th Chicago International Film Festival announced today the program for Industry Days (October 17-20, 2019) with an impressive list of guest speakers to inspire and illuminate the film and entertainment community. A … Continue reading “ChiFilmFest unveils Industry Days agenda”
The Midwest Independent Film Festival presents ‘When Billy Broke his Head… and Other Tales of Wonder’ Tuesday August 6 at Landmark The Midwest Independent Film Festival is proud to partner with ReelAbilities Chicago to present the 25th anniversary screening of When Billy Broke His Head… And Other Tales of Wonder, on August 6, 2019. The … Continue reading “MIFF, ReelAbilites partner for August First Tuesday”
In this season of gilt-edged motion picture awards, it is gratifying and rewarding that Chicago is making an appearance among the innumerable categories of endeavor that go into film production.
GRITTY CHICAGO LOCATIONS are an integral part of a 90-second web video made for Team Nike and the World Festival of Basketball in recognition of Chicago’s sports authenticity and the toughness of the city.
