| 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
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”
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”
Chicago Filmmakers is offering a free in person seminar on Illinois tax incentives for independent productions, co-presented with the Illinois Film Office and Full Spectrum Features. Followed by an info session for the Chicago Digital Media Production Fund. There are many reasons to film in Illinois – diverse communities and locations, Chicago sights and architecture, talented … Continue reading “Chicago Filmmakers is offering a free Illinois Tax Incentives Seminar”
Today, Thursday May 14th, The Indie Film Town Hall met to discuss the future of production in Illinois. The panel included Christine Dudley (IPA) Angie Gaffney (IFA), Peter Hawley (Illinois Film Office), Anthony Kaufman (Chicago International Film Festival Industry) Brenda Webb (Chicago Filmmakers), Colette Ghunim (Mezcla Media Collective). The discussion was led by Angie Gaffney, … Continue reading “Chicago Filmmakers hints at Reeling festival going virtual”
On Thursday, May 14th, the Independent Film Alliance Chicago, the Chicago International Film Festival and Industry days are hosting their first Indie Film Town Hall, bringing together Chicago’s independent film and media-making community during these difficult times. From 1-2 pm CST, grab your lunch and join panelists from Chicago’s indie film and media organizations as they discuss the challenges that face … Continue reading “The first Indie Film Town Hall meeting on Thursday”
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”
The Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO) plans to invest $500,000 through the Illinois Film Office Workforce Training Program to enable more women and minorities to access job opportunities within the film industry. As the industry grows, more minority groups are moving toward film production as a career, making up 49% of the … Continue reading “IL Film Office strives to increase minority presence”
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”
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”
The woman who helped Illinois make hundreds of TV shows and generate $2.5 billion in revenue talks about the ever-changing Midwestern filmscape Christine Dudley joined the Illinois Film Office at the exact time when the Illinois Film Office needed Christine Dudley. Combining exceptional legislative knowledge with a “modest background in production,” she helped guide the … Continue reading “Interview with former IFO Director Christine Dudley”
The Midwest Independent Film Festival is proud to present Pooh: The Derrick Rose Story, as part of our First Tuesdays screening series, directed by Scott Diener. Derrick Rose became the youngest MVP in NBA history and a celebrated superstar for the Bulls in his hometown of Chicago. Rose’s gritty style on the court was forged … Continue reading “‘Pooh: The Derrick Rose Story’ screens at MIFF”
Zacuto USA founder Steve Weiss is happy to find himself back in the director’s chair after a seven-year hiatus as co-producer/director on a series of up-close-and personal discussions on the practical business side of independent filmmaking.
Shot with multiple cameras, the webshow, “FilmFellas,” appears on the social network site Vimeo the first and 15th of the month.
Weiss said the purpose of the show is to go beyond the cash- and-carry trade and to give Zacuto’s customers personalized insights into the complex world of indie filmmaking.
Congratulations to our friends and advertisers who have received nominations for a Chicago/Midwest Emmy. The 62nd Chicago/Midwest Emmy Awards will broadcast virtually in November. Regions covered by the Chicago/Midwest Chapter include Chicago, Illinois; Peoria-Bloomington, Illinois; Rockford, Illinois; South Bend-Elkhart, Indiana; Green Bay-Appleton, Wisconsin; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Wausau-Rhinelander, Wisconsin; and Madison, Wisconsin. Here is the complete list … Continue reading “2019-2020 Chicago/Midwest Emmy Nominations List”
