Filmmaker Friday Chicago marked its first anniversary last week with a vibrant mixer and panel discussion at the Lincoln Park Room—capping a full 12 months of monthly gatherings that have galvanized the city’s film community.
Since its launch in June 2024, the series has welcomed over 1,250 unique attendees through 15 events, creating an expanding hub for directors, cinematographers, editors, actors, sound mixers, and more. The anniversary celebration featured a dynamic panel of production designer Jibril Love, director Jerry S. Gonzalez, and filmmaker/screenwriter Jennie McMurtry, known for founding Chicago Film Events.
Host and founder Armin Korsos reminded the audience of the deeper value behind these meetups, “Filmmaking can often be a lonely process. You might spend 10% of your time on set – the rest is spent in pre-production, post-production, pitching, planning, editing. It’s in those stretches in between where community becomes essential. That’s where Filmmaker Friday comes in.” He emphasized the power of consistency, noting that the monthly cadence has been pivotal in building lasting creative bonds.
Panelists shared compelling outcomes. Gonzalez credited Filmmaker Friday for giving him the momentum to write and direct his first feature, calling the events ‘door‑openers’. Love highlighted the event’s role in fostering authentic connections—something difficult to replicate online. McMurtry underscored the importance of grassroots organizing, urging filmmakers to ‘build the rooms yourself,’ rather than await an invitation.
Over the past year, the event series has become more than a collection of mixers—it’s been a proving ground for ideas, a home base between projects, and a springboard for collaboration. With community growth fueled by free attendance (RSVP required), strategic partnerships with venues like the Chicago Cultural Center and CineCity, and monthly engagement, Filmmaker Friday has firmly rooted itself as an essential fixture of Chicago’s creative ecosystem.
As the night concluded, Korsos offered a heartfelt invitation, “It means a lot that you showed up. Let’s keep this going — see you at the next one.”
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