Big Teeth Productions, a Chicago-based creative production studio, will celebrate its 20th anniversary on September 15. In honor of the milestone they will kick off the weekend of September 13-14 with their 9th annual Big Teeth Sixty Second Film Fest, a beloved part of the Ravenswood Art Walk. The full program runs under 15 minutes and plays three times every hour.
“We’re excited to celebrate with friends and family, clients and partners on Friday and then open our doors to new Big Teeth fans over the weekend,” Jaffe says.
September 13 – 14
11am-6pm
Big Teeth Sixty Second Film Fest
4001 N Ravenswood Ave # 301, Chicago
The festival itself inspired the launch of the Big Teeth Small Shorts Film Festival (BTSSFF), now in its 6th year, dedicated to celebrating short films from around the world and the filmmakers who create them. BTSSFF is held twice yearly at Facets.
Weathering Industry Changes and Growth
When asked about the two-decade marker, owner and Executive Producer Elise Jaffe reflected on the company’s resilience: “We’ve weathered a lot of changes in the industry and technology, which were to be expected, but a global pandemic and a couple recessions on top of that… that’s where the real pride comes in.”
Jaffe, who graduated from the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business program in 2022, credits constant education paired with flexibility and transparency as crucial to keeping the business thriving. Well, that and developing strong relationships with clients and crew while always having a little fun on the job.
A Family Business Built on Partnership
The interconnected nature of work and personal life has been central to Big Teeth’s success. Elise and her husband Gregg started the business after dating for only eight months. Now married for almost 18 years, the couple runs not only the business but also all three film festivals annually while raising two children alongside their two dogs. They are currently working on their first feature documentary, UnScarred. The film tells the stories of survivors who have been physically scarred by trauma or illness, and have found empowerment and reclamation through the art of tattoo.
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