
Chan C. Smith brings her storytelling skills to Tessa Films
Chan C. Smith, a Chicago native who’s taken her skill as a storyteller to such genres as publishing, media and documentary film, is set to make her mark on the
Chan C. Smith, a Chicago native who’s taken her skill as a storyteller to such genres as publishing, media and documentary film, is set to make her mark on the
The United Center, home of the Chicago Bulls and the Chicago Blackhawks will be used as a mass vaccination site that prioritizes access for seniors and equity for the hardest hit populations. The
2112, Chicago’s business incubator focused on the development of entrepreneurs in creative industries, has partnered with Comcast Business on the development of a Startup Studio, with additional support provided by
This is tasty. On November 19, 2020, Provence Rosé Group (PRG) will present “A Perfect Pairing,” a special virtual Thanksgiving and rosé wine event featuring Food & Wine Magazine’s 2018 Sommelier of the
The 56th Chicago International Film Festival announced a slate of four narrative feature film projects in active development that will be pitched live in front of a virtual audience and a panel of distinguished industry judges during the Festival’s Industry Days on Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020. Now in its sixth year, The Pitch at Industry Days has established itself as a leading industry showcase spotlighting bold, original work from the Chicago region. Past projects from The Pitch at Industry Days have gone onto completion, including Jennifer Reader’s Signature Move, and two films showing at last year’s Chicago International Film Festival: Knives and Skin, also directed by Jennifer Reeder, and Haroula Rose’s Once Upon a River. This year’s filmmakers represent a diversity of voices that continue to reinforce the breadth and vitality of Chicago-area filmmakers and projects: from a sci-fi comedy horror film set in the suburbs to a drama set along the Mexico-American border, to the story of a sexual assault within a Black community and an estranged daughter in an Iraqi-American family who impersonates her recently deceased father. See below for loglines. The winning pitch receives an awards package of in-kind goods and services worth tens of thousands of dollars. Contributors include Keslow Camera, IFA Chicago and The Story Stage at CineSpace, Chicago Media Angels, Ramo Law PC, and the Sundance Institute. “Right now, during the pandemic, it’s the perfect time to develop, workshop, hone, and fine-tune feature film projects and make them great,” said Chicago International Film Festival and Industry Days Senior Programmer Anthony Kaufman. “The Pitch is a terrific way for the Festival to support and encourage local filmmakers and help push their projects forward.”
The Illinois Lottery is extending its highly successful ‘You Can’t Hide Winning’, integrated marketing campaign from agency O’Keefe Reinhard & Paul to add additional support for the introduction of new instant
The International Latino Cultural Center of Chicago announced that the 36th Chicago Latino Film Festival will shift to a virtual format and will take place from September 18-27. The Festival was originally scheduled for April
The Chicago International Film Festival, presented by Cinema/Chicago, today announced this year’s Industry Days will be held virtually for a global audience, October 12-18, 2020. Early Bird accreditation is now available for qualified
Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot announced the launch of ‘Chicago Connected’ a groundbreaking program that will provide free high-speed internet service to approximately 100,000 Chicago Public Schools (CPS) students in their
The State of Illinois and City of Chicago are now operating in Phase 3 of their respective reopening plans and there is a lot of film production news and information to share. In addition to
Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot today announced the lineup of Chicago and national celebrities who have come together to celebrate and pay tribute to the over 35,000 graduating high school seniors
Millennium Park at Home begins Memorial Day weekend with House Music, Gospel Music and Blues Music concerts to launch the new online series of music, arts and recreation programming. Mayor
Steppenwolf Theatre Company’s Pants Optional: A Steppenwolf Soirée is a one-of-a-Kind Online Fundraiser Entertains with Live Music, Celebrity Guests and Surprise Appearances. (Video of event below) Steppenwolf Theatre Company replaced
A message from the Illinois Production Alliance. As a film industry professional, you no doubt have seen, read or been sent a wide array of proposed production safety guidelines. That is
Chicago camera and equipment rental house Camera Ambassador has announced that it will reopen for business beginning this Friday, May 1st. “Beginning May 1st, we’re officially open with curbside pick
Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and Citadel today announced the launch of Stay Home. Hit Play., a twice-weekly video series on WTTW that will bring engaging, educational programming from Chicago institutions to
As productions across the globe come to a halt during the COVID-19 pandemic, most filmmakers have found themselves with a lot of time on their hands. Some have turned to
When employers wouldn’t step up, Teamsters Local 727 stepped in—recently purchasing thousands of masks for distribution. On March 21, Governor Pritzker mandated a “shelter in place” order that outlined the
There are now 22,025 confirmed coronavirus COVID-19 cases and 794 deaths in Illinois. The pandemic has ravaged the economy from local independent movie theaters to Boeing. One of the hardest
CHICAGO TONIGHT, correspondent/producer Paris Schutz reports live from Chicago neighborhoods highlighting community challenges and solutions The sudden onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has radically altered everyday life for Chicagoans as