One of the high points of the Chicago International Film Festival has always been the incredible parade of great Hollywood actors it has honored during the summer gala. This year, its 50th, does not disappoint.
Oscar winner Kevin Kline will be honored with the Festival’s Career Achievement Award at the Saturday, June 18 gala at the Four Seasons, a key event in CIFF’s 50th anniversary celebration.
“Kevin Kline is one of the most versatile performers of his generation and truly deserving of the award,” says CIFF founder/artistic director Michael Kutza of the festival’s choice this milestone year.
Click here for ticket information or call 312/683-0121, ext. 131.
DGA DIRECTOR DAN MOORE will be honored at a private invitation-only retirement dinner May 1 at Del Frisco’s. DGA president Paris Barclay will lead the celebration of Moore’s 28 years of dedicated service and wish him the best of luck in his new life. Moore steps down April 30. No replacement has been named as yet.
DISNEY’S PIXAR ANIMATION ARTISTS have Chicago on their world tour, Aug. 22-23, where they will present a master class in Story Development and Animation, geared to 2D/3D animators, story writers, storyboarders, character designers, producers, editors, trainers and educators, et al.
Reason for this early heads up is that space is limited for the two full days of instruction and the last class in Chicago was sold out within a few days after the announcement was made. Click here to get more info and register.
ROGER EBERT’S LEGACY will be celebrated at Cannes this year, – he attended about 35 of the festivals – with the screening of Steve James’ doc, “Life Itself,” based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning critic’s memoir of the same name
After showcasing at Sundance, James edited the film to include four extra minutes of Ebert at Cannes.
It’s also the first time a Kartemquin film will screen at the international Festival, May 14-25.
“One of the best images we’ve used to market the film is Roger’s Cannes press pass from 1980, so it’s really going full circle,” said Kartemquin’s Justine Nagan. We’re so happy for Steve and Chaz Ebert to have the film shown at such a wonderful venue.”
ROY SKILLICORN’S SEED MEDIA roster of directors continues to expand with the addition of Jason Lindsey of the Chicago area, a director,DP and photojournalist, whose client roster includes Amazon.com, Budweiser, Buick, Merck, lots of tourism and outdoor adventure spots … The Traveling Picture Show signed Midwest director Joe Shaak.
We hear business is picking up, so send news of your latest and greatest to ruth@reelchicago.com.
