David Miller of Mindlight Films, who runs the Sangamon St. Studios in the former Orbis facility, is producing “Finding Preet,” an HD romantic comedy feature, for IV Entertainment. Production started May 6. DP is Joseph Farris of Visions of Light. Miller produced Juan Frausto’s “Once Upon a Time in the Hood,” which was lauded at the Chicago Latino Film Festival and is due for release from Breakaway Films/Maverick Entertainment and HBO Latino. Reach Miller at 773/ 562-3731.
Maat Media starts production at the end of May on its debut feature, the DV martial arts pic “Panthera.” Director Mansa said Maat plans to shoot another DV feature every five months for the straight-to- video market. Followup films could be the martial arts revenge drama “Dragonfly,” or the vigilante motorcycle girl-gang actioner “Throttle.” Maat is at 5157 S. Michigan. Call 773/373-4396.
Tony DeGuide of Windy City Casting is directing the horror movie “A Voice from the Grave 2,” a followup to DeGuide’s feature debut which he made last year. “Voice 2” stars Joe Estevez and William Smith. Call 630/351-1400 or see www.avoicefromthegrave.com.
Los Angeles filmmaker Jeremy Martin is set to direct the feature “Soul of an Angel” here. Martin’s Soul of an Angel Productions is at 5542 Hazeltine Ave., Suite 2, Los Angeles, CA 91401.
Mark Selz’ 2003 HD horror film “Unaware” starring Joe Estevez and Robert Z’Dar premieres Saturday, July 10 at 6 and 10 p.m. at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie; $5. Selz’ first film, the teen slasher pic “Short Cut Road,” is out on DVD from Sub Rosa. Call 847/ 679-9501 or see www.unawaremovie.com.
The Cherry Bomb’s second edition of free, advertising-supported DVD series containing shorts by local filmmakers and original spots for local businesses was released May 7. Copies are available from sponsoring establishments. To participate in a future release contact Rich Seng at chicagofreedvd@hotmail.com.
Aaron Covich and Colby Hanik screened the first cut of their DV feature “Envying Alice” at Decatur’s Avon Theater May 1. Production wrapped in February and post should be done by end of summer. Reach Covich at aaron@semaphoremedia.com.
The locally-made extended shorts “Confessions of a Ghost” by Andy Hannon and “I Am James Mason” by Keith Dukavicius have their world premiere Saturday, June 19 at 8:15 p.m. at the Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N. State. Hannon and Dukavicius will attend. See www.siskelfilmcenter.org.
Three of the eleven features in the Hollywood Black Film Festival this June 22-27 were made in Chicago: Mike Merrill’s “Even Trade,” Elliott Porter’s “Player in Training,” and Steven Foley’s “Strange as Angels.” See www.hbff.org.
? by Ed M. Koziarski, edk@homesickblues.com
