First Chicago Film Project starts shooting in August

FULL SPECTRUM FEATURES, Eugene Sun Park’s non-profit production company dedicated to diversity in film, will start shooting the romcom feature “Signature Move” in August with a Chicago crew and cast.

The screenplay, written by actress Fawzia Mirza and Lisa Donato, is being directed by Jennifer Reeder and shot by DP Christopher Rejano.

The story is about a Pakistani-Muslim lesbian former lawyer (Mirza’s own background and played by Mirza), Zaynab, by taking care of her TV-obsessed, conservative but sweet mom, Parveen. Zaynab is inspired to join an underground wrestling group to help find her identity.

Parveen will be played by multi-honored Shabana Azmi, considered one of Bollywood’s greatest Indian actors

Film and theatre actress Audrey Francis (“Chicago Med,” “Chicago PD”) plays Jayde, Zabnab’s wresting (and life?) mentor.

“Signature Move” is the first film from alternate weekly NewCity’s Chicago Film Project, launched by Brian Heiggelke, NewCity’s founder, editor/publisher.

Producers are Heiggelke, Sun Park and Mirza; Hugh Schulze is an associate producer.

FILMMAKER / ACTOR JAY DAVIS is in post production on his fourth feature, “Not Another Black Movie,” that he produced and shot and Donte “Diesel” Willams directed.

Starring Damon Williams, Janet Hubert, Ava Vernonica, Rodney Perry and Davis.

Two of Davis’ previous features have distribution deals with Maverick Entertainment Group of South Florida.

His comedy spoof, “Not Another Zombie Movie,” set for national release Sept. 13, is about two friends who find themselves trapped in undead-infested Cyrene City where they attempt to lead a group of unconventional survivors to safety.

Williams and Jack Johnson directed. Starring Black Jack Johnson, Jay Davis, Will Cummings and Harold Dennis.

Davis’ earlier comedy, “Shots Fired,” is an action comedy about two opposite detectives who are forced to force together on the biggest case of their careers, is currently available at Best Buy, Walmart, Barnes & Noble and Amazon Prime.

KING IN CHICAGO,” the 2008 documentary by producer / director Seth McClellan will be rebroadcast on WTTW/11 Thursday, Aug. 4 at 8 p.m. to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s work with the Chicago Freedom Movement, about the complications and contradictions they faced as they fought to desegregate housing.

McClellan wrapped his new doc, “Little Wound’s Warriors,” about high school students on the Great Sioux Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, established in 1889 on the border of South Dakota and Nebraska, bigger than Delaware and Rhode Island combined.

SEND YOUR INDIE PROJECT NEWS to ruth@reelchicago.com or phone 312/274-9980.