Filmscape Chicago, the Midwest’s leading film and television production expo, is back for its 2025 edition, promising two days of innovation, education, and networking for the film and media production community.
Now in its sixth year, Filmscape Chicago continues to draw filmmakers, technicians, students, and industry leaders from across the country. The 2025 expo will feature an impressive lineup of workshops and panels covering topics such as cinematography, lighting, virtual production, post-production, and more. Registration is open and required for all attendees, though the event remains entirely free to the public.
This free event will take place on June 21–22, 2025, at CineCity Studios, located at 1414 S Western Ave in Chicago.
A key highlight this year is the expanded exhibitor floor, where attendees can interact with the latest gear and technology from leading manufacturers and service providers in the film and television industry. Additionally, the event places a strong emphasis on community through initiatives like Youth Day and ongoing educational programming available throughout the year.
Beyond the annual expo, Filmscape Chicago provides year-round resources and sessions aimed at supporting creatives in a rapidly evolving media landscape.
Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out, Filmscape Chicago 2025 offers a dynamic space to learn, connect, and explore the future of filmmaking.
For more information and to register, visit here.
Agenda – Saturday, June 21, 2025
9:00 am – 10:00 am
Main Stage
Green-light Your Career: A Guide to Success in The Film and TV Industry
Actionable strategies to transition from aspiring creative to industry professional. Learn how to adapt existing experience, enhance your industry knowledge, find job opportunities, and maximize your network.
Jennifer Haire
Keys to the Production Office
Desmond Huey
Filmscape
10:00 am – 4:30 pm
Showfloor Open
10:45 am – 12:45 pm
Cinematography Lab
Intro To Set Lighting
10:45 – 11:45 am
MBS Lounge
PERG, a part of ESTA Coffee Hour
PERG shines a light on the challenges and opportunities faced by professional rental companies. It focuses the collective expertise of its members to shape solutions that best serve us all. PERG strives to be the voice of the motion picture equipment rental industry and set a standard of operations and ethical behavior.
Erin Grabe
ESTA
10:45 – 12:45 pm
305 – Discussion Room
Mastering Emotional Depth: Exploring Layers in Acting for Powerful Audience Connection
I will talk to our filmmakers about how the actor can participate in the overall process of drawing an emotional response from the viewing audience alongside the other elements of the film. The other elements are screenplay, direction, editing, lighting, sound and score. I will have two to three trained actors available for demonstration. Because this is for film the actors will be seen on a monitor or screen. They may or may not be present in the building. I will also talk about and give a demonstration on Layering a character
Harold Dennis
Harold Dennis
10:45 – 11:45 am
304 – Discussion Room
Local 600 Sustainability Committee presents “Life Cycle of Electronics”
In collaboration with Ecofixr and Keslow Camera, learn how to be responsible camera and electronic device users. We will empower you with ways to get the most from your electronics, including a special presentation from Keslow Camera about production camera care and repair. We will explore the many steps involved with electronic consumption: the environmental impact, cost-saving techniques, local resources, best practices, and more.
Ellen White
Ecofixr
10:45 – 11:45 am
303 – Discussion Room
Demystifying Audio and Sound Engineering Workshop
Curious about audio and want to learn more about it? We will go over the duties and troubles as a sound mixer to people who are Directors, Producers, Editors, DPs, Gaffers, Locations, Costumes, Etc. If you want to make your projects better with audio, this workshop is very important for you to listen to!
Emerson Cole
Noise Boys LLC
Joshua Boshell
Noise Boys, LLC
10:45 – 11:45 am
302 – Hands on Room
Creating Eye-Popping Content Through Stop-Motion Animation
David Wall
Cineminiature
10:45 – 11:45 am
Main Stage
Making and Maintaining Meaningful Business Connections
Sarah Giroux
Sarah Giroux
Katelyn Henslin
Katelyn Henslin
Ellen Kaulig
Chicago Reader
Erica Duffy
Camera Ambassador
10:45 – 11:45 am
401 – Discussion Room
Frugal Filmmaking – Saving Money While Preserving Quality
The Frugal Filmmaking workshop focuses on how to maintain the quality of your project, while staying under budget and having fun. Covering Pre-production, Production, and Post, we share tips/tricks on how to direct/produce with joy, positivity, and practicality, all the while being frugal with cash.
Jon Silver
ShowPup Productions
11:45 – 12:45 pm
401 – Discussion Room
Image Based Lighting with Live FX from Assimilate
Alexander MacLean
Assimilate
11:45 – 12:45 pm
MBS Lounge
Chicago Film Events Coffee Hour
New to the Chicago scene or overwhelmed by all the events going on each week? Tired of losing industry connections to the doom scroll? Swing by to learn about the ‘Chicago Film Events’ app and community — find the right events, promote your work, and crew up using our Filmmaker Directory.
11:45 – 12:45 pm
402 – Discussion Room
You Have A Channel, Make It Your Job
Wondering how posting your content online can become your full time job? Come learn the basic ins and outs of monetizing on platforms such as YouTube, and how other revenue streams and growth strategies can contribute to your financial success.
Ben Deaney
MANA Talent Group LLC
11:45 – 12:45 pm
304 – Discussion Room
Script Lining and Shot Listing 101
A guide for understanding how to find mood, tone, and power dynamics to build out your shots, starting with the script.
Gary T. Walker II
Gary T. Walker LLC
11:45 – 12:45 pm
Main Stage
Film Loading Main Stage Class
11:45 – 12:45 pm
303 – Discussion Room
PA Safety: Protecting The Backbone of a Film Set
Ang Gardner
12:45 – 1:45 pm
Saturday Lunch
1:45 – 2:45 pm
Main Stage
Chicago Style Indie Filmmaking
A panel discussion of Chicago-based filmmakers to discuss the current state of the industry, plus the challenges and perks of working in the Midwest’s film capital.
Andrea Zile Bish
Emily Lape
Micahel Glover Smith
Jim Vendiola
Lori Felkor
John Mossman
1:45 – 3:45 pm
301 – Hands On Room
Film Loading Class
1:45 – 4:45 pm
402 – Discussion Room
Filmmaker (Or Student Film) Quick Start Guide
Take your project from plan to action. This session provides the pre-production framework required for successful principal photography.
Topics may include (but not limited to):
Production process overview & benchmarks
Requirements needed before filming
Production Planning
Getting the script production-ready
The script breakdown process
Jen’s iceberg principle
Production logistics
Pre-production & wrap checklist
Filming day benchmarks
Recommended reading
Jennifer Haire
Keys to the Production Office
1:45 – 3:45 pm
403 – Cinematography Lab
Intimacy in Cinematography
A deeper look at intimacy in filmmaking, joined by Intimacy Coordinator Enama Thandiwe and Directors George Ellzey Jr. and Kin Marie. We want to challenge the idea that you only need an intimacy coordinator for sexual and nude scenes. While crafting a scene from scratch, engage with us in a dialogue about everyday intimacy and the cinematography that follows.
George Ellzey Jr
Cottage Grove Productions
Gary T. Walker II
Gary T. Walker LLC
Kinnedy Broughton
Brain Studios
1:45 – 2:45 pm
MBS Lounge
Film Girlz Brunch Coffee Hour
2:45 – 3:45 pm
MBS Lounge
The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences; Chicago/Midwest Chapter Coffee Hour
3:00 – 4:00 pm
304 – Discussion Room
Preproduction for Virtual Production: Rethinking Planning for a New Creative Toolkit
Virtual production is more than just a new set of tools. It requires a different way of thinking about filmmaking. This session offers a practical and creative framework for approaching preproduction for virtual production workflows, especially for filmmakers and artists who are just beginning to explore the technology.
We’ll start by breaking down the core concepts behind virtual production, including what it is, what it is not, and how it changes traditional ideas of location, lighting, timing, and design. From there, we’ll explore how tools like Unreal Engine, LED volumes, and real-world location scanning techniques can support creative flexibility and improve production efficiency.
Whether you are preparing for your first shoot using virtual environments or simply trying to better understand how virtual production is changing the filmmaking process, this session will help you rethink what’s possible and give you a foundation to start building smarter, more efficient and more future-ready projects.
Derek Viramontes
Chicago Virtual Production
Scott Lynxh
LOCCOL
3:00 – 4:00 pm
Prepro for VP
3:00 – 5:00 pm
401 – Discussion Room
Easyrig Operator Workshop
Whether you’re new to Easyrig or a seasoned pro, this workshop will show you how to get the most from your rig. Learn how to reduce fatigue, improve stability, and dial in the right setup for your workflow. From location shoots to studio work to live events, you’ll leave ready to make Easyrig work for you.
3:00 – 4:00 pm
305 – Discussion Room
How to Self-Tape an Audition
This class takes the stress out of self-taping auditions. From setting up your equipment, positioning yourself in the frames to sending the edited result to casting. For this class Talent Agent Joey Joelle of SCE Agency will tackle all your questions, hurdles and common mistakes, and practice recording a slate (and full body profile) in groups or individually, quick video editing tips and which apps to use best. We definitely recommend to bring your smartphone & tripod for this one!
Joey Joelle
SCE Agency
3:00 – 5:00 pm
302 – Hands On Room
Storyboarding
Jason Millet
Jason Millet Art
3:00 – 4:00 pm
Main Stage
The Director’s Guide To Basically Everything
Jay Holben
Jay Holben
Adakin Press
4:15 – 5:15 pm
MBS Lounge
Chicago Acting in Film Meetup Coffee Hour
Steve Scholz
Chicago Acting In Film Meetup
4:15 – 5:15 pm
Main Stage
Between the Dialogue: How Music Can Tell Your Story
Ethan Stoller
Ethan Stoller Music
Devin Delaney
Noise Floor, Ltd
Tim Corpus
Society of Composers & Lyricists
Jon Pierre (Deciius)
Deciius
4:15 – 5:15 pm
304 – Discussion Room
Understanding Distribution: The Next Step
This discussion explains the distribution process, what to expect, challenges and opportunities and best practices to navigate this highly competitive landscape.
Jared Hoffa
Pixquid
Rujanee Mahakanjana
Pixquid
Agenda – Sunday, June 22, 2025
9:00 – 12:00 pm
401 – Discussion Room
The Chicago Independent Film Symposium
10:00 – 2:30 pm
Showfloor Open
10:45 am – 12:45 pm
301 – Hands On Room
Film Loading Class
10:45 – 12:45 pm
403 – Cinematography Lab
Lens Testing w/ Jay
Jay Holben
Adakin Press
10:45 – 12:15 pm
304 – Discussion Room
Introduction to Film Breakdown and Scheduling
Get inside the mind of a First Assistant Director as this session explores how to dissect a script for production. Learn how key details—like cast, locations, and props—are identified and organized to build a shooting schedule. A practical introduction to the AD’s role in turning words into workflow.
Anthony Cabral
ACE Films
10:45 – 11:45 am
303 – Discussion Room
Lessons from Litigation: Understanding Talent Contracts.
Talent contracts can make or break the production, as the recent litigation over It Ends With Us shows. Join attorney Elaine Wyder of Convex Legal LLC for an in-depth discussion of talent contracts.
10:45 – 11:45 am
MBS Lounge
Women In Film Coffee Hour
10:45 – 12:45 pm
Main Stage
Chicago Film Office Keynote
Ellen White
Ecofixr
11:45 – 12:45 pm
303 – Discussion Room
Intellectual Property Headaches and How to Avoid Them
This course provides a brief primer on the main types of intellectual property that come up in the film industry, how to protect your rights in your work and brand, and best practices to avoid intellectual property problems down the line.
Ifti Zaim
Irwin IP LLP, now a part of Miller Johnson
11:45 – 12:45 pm
MBS Lounge
IFA Chicago Coffee Hour
12:45 – 1:45 pm
Sunday Lunch
1:45 – 3:45 pm
403 – Cinematography Lab
Creating The Visual – Presented by Rosco Labs
1:45 – 2:45 pm
Main Stage
Players: A Film Industry Podcast
Welcome to Players, a film industry podcast where we discuss, dissect, and demystify topics surrounding the world of making stories. In a business where information is everything, we invite you to the STAGE with us to listen in as we have conversations on navigating these trenches.
This is a special recording happening at Filmscape, so come be our LIVE audience and see what Demma and Imani have on their minds.
1:45 – 2:45 pm
304 – Discussion Room
The Art of Location Management
Discover the indispensable art of scouting, securing, and managing locations for film and television productions.
1:45 – 2:45 pm
401 – Discussion Room
Getting the Most Out of the Illinois Film Production Tax Credit
1:45 – 2:45 pm
MBS Lounge
IATSE L476 & L600 Women’s Committees’ Coffee Hour
1:45 – 2:45 pm
303 – Discussion Room
Grant Writing and Social Impact for Storytellers
In this hands-on course, you will learn how to effectively source and secure grant funding for your film projects and organizational initiatives. You’ll gain practical skills in writing compelling grant proposals, developing fundable narratives, and aligning your creative vision with the priorities of funders. The course also explores the principles of impact producing—crafting stories and campaigns that drive social change and engage communities. By the end, you’ll have the tools to turn your project into a powerful catalyst for impact and the strategic insight to fund it.
Tamarra Campbell
TMedia Impact Solutions LLC
1:45 – 3:15 pm
305 – Discussion Room
Practical Realities of The Job
Practical insights of a career in the film & tv industry are revealed.
Topics include:
1. Getting paid
2. Unemployment
3. Safeguards
4. Production safety awareness
Jennifer Haire
Keys to the Production Office
3:00 – 4:00 pm
Main Stage
XL Fest: Rising Creators
Troy Pryor
CREATIVE CYPHER’S XL FEST
George Ellzey Jr
George Ellzey Jr
LaTaryion Perry
Missed Turn Productions
McKenzie Chinn
Patrick Wimp
Digital Hydra
3:00 – 4:00 pm
304 – Discussion Room
Color in the Light the Science Class
This seminar goes into the biology, and physics of color so that we can understand how our bodies react to color and light. We will also look at how to use the latest measuring tool TM-30
Stephen Ellison
The Light Source USA Inc
3:00 – 5:00 pm
Location TBD
Demystifying Lighting and Grip Balloons:
Join Airstar, the inventor of helium lighting & grip balloons, to learn about the benefits of balloons on-set followed by a demonstration of their newest LED innovation, Infinity. Airstar balloon lighting is the premiere solution for film applications with challenging conditions and is affordable at any budget. Hosted by Airstar America’s national sales manager, Michael Cross.
Michael Cross
Airstar America Inc.
3:00 – 4:00 pm
303 – Discussion Room
Cover Your Assets: Protecting Your Creative Investment Through Chain of Title
Securing all necessary rights for your film is essential for distribution. If the distributor or insurer asks, can you prove that you have the rights for each component of your film? Join entertainment attorney Elaine Wyder of Convex Legal LLC to learn about how copyright, life rights, and more are created, obtained, documented, and sold. Avoid costly legal mistakes and safeguard your investment through complete chain of title.
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