In storytelling, there are four P’s: people, place, purpose and plot. The South Side Short Film Series, Reel Black Filmmakers, a program of the Community Film Workshop of Chicago, will feature five short films exemplifying the power of the four P’s.
South Side Short Film Series, Reel Black Filmmakers on Wednesday, February 23 from 7-8:30p via Zoom.
The featured filmmakers are cohorts from the Production Institute at the Logan Media Center, which is a partnership with the Community Film Workshop of Chicago and the Jonathan Logan Family Foundation Media Center at the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts at the University of Chicago.
“I’m excited that we’re able to highlight unique stories from South Side filmmakers for the second year in a row. It’s encouraging to see how these filmmakers worked collectively and diligently to complete their short films,” stated filmmaker Derek Grace, lead instructor for the Production Institute.
Featured filmmakers include:
- Cathleen Campbell, ‘Unsung Heroes in Chicago’
Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. could never have led the famous March on Washington if an unsung group of Black Chicago businessmen had not secretly raised emergency funds to keep the Movement moving forward. - Devorah Crable, ‘Thread’
A college administrator’s rabid frustration with an unscrupulous car dealer triggers an emotional breakdown that leads her to consider a murder plot involving Chicago’s colorful underworld. - Lional ‘Bro. El’ Freeman, ‘Feeling First: A Recipe for Inspiration’
Conjuring the natural powers of food and music with the world’s first intersectional vegan cookbook and sound design album, this documentary explores the creation of the world’s first vegan cookbook and sound design album that celebrates the interdisciplinary pairing of nourishing food and music with healing recipes and sound. - Rigoberto Gomez, ‘Amor Eterno’ (Love Eternal)
After being in catatonic state of depression and anxiety for 29 days, Cortez battles his mental health and institutionalized racism to retrieve his mother’s corpse from the state—one day before they will cremate her—to bury her with dignity and grace. - Vick Lee, Journal-a-Scene
An artsy couple decides to write a film together and disputes the storyline. It’s a curious and meta jaunt through the fifth wall.
“They are providing us with stories and perspectives that we don’t often see on big screens. It was an honor to be their lead instructor,” Grace added.
Margaret Caples, executive director of the Community Film Workshop, stated that “each year the cohorts produce stories about the uniqueness of our hometown and the expansiveness of our experiences.” The series highlights the emerging talent of new and veteran filmmakers from Black and underserved communities on the South Side of Chicago.
“I am very excited about the upcoming screenings of the 2021 Production Institute in the Reel Black Filmmakers’ South Side Short Film Series. The series underscores the capacity of the Production Institute to impart critical video production skills and knowledge to its program participants,” shared Kamau Tyehimba, filmmaker and co-founder of Reel Black Filmmakers.
Tyehimba praised the leadership of Margaret Caples, executive director of the Community Film Workshop of Chicago, and her core instructional team of Derek Grace and Keisha Chavers.
The South Side Short Film Series is free. Registration is required. REGISTER HERE
For more information on the Community Film Workshop of Chicago and Reel Black Filmmakers, go to: cfwchicago.org
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