Chicago International Film Festival

CHICAGO – If Peter Bogdanovich had only been a film writer and critic, he still would have made a major contribution to cinema culture. But he also chose to direct, and besides producing arguably one of the best American films ever made (“The Last Picture Show”), he continues to work and fulfill his creative vision.

CHICAGO – It’s Week One of the 52nd Chicago International Film Festival, and with so many film opportunities to experience, what are some of the highlights? The intrepid film reviewers of HollywoodChicago.com has been sampling the cinema fare for the first week, and offers the following capsule summaries.

CHICAGO – The 52nd Chicago International Film Festival kicks off on Thursday, October 13th, 2016, with the highly anticipated film, ‘La La Land.’ The modern day musical, directed by Damian Chazelle (“Whiplash”) features Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling as two star crossed lovers.

CHICAGO – The 2016 52nd Chicago International Film Festival (CIFF) Kicks Off on Thursday, October 13th, with the Opening Night Film, “LA LA Land.” After the first night ceremony, the main event starts, and navigating this amazing selection of films can make or break the most ardent film fan. HollywoodChicago.com offers the following tips on what to “seek out” during the two week cinema buffet.

CHICAGO – Last night (Thursday, May 5th), the 2016 CineYouth Film Festival – which is associated with the Chicago International Film Festival and Cinema/Chicago – kicked off with “Nocturna,” a European animated film from the famed GKIDS distributor (“A Cat in Paris”). The 2016 festival runs through Saturday, May 7th, with a full schedule of film related youth activities on Friday and Saturday. For the full schedule, click here.

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Michael Kutza, Founder and Artistic Director, Chicago International Film Festival.

CHICAGO – 50 years ago today – Thursday, November 4th, 1965 – a 22-year old filmmaker named Michael Kutza realized his dream of bringing the cinema world to Chicago, with the opening night of the first Chicago International Film Festival. 50 years later, founder Kutza just finished overseeing the 51st festival.

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Sarah Silverman represented her new film, ‘I Smile Back.’

CHICAGO – The Red Carpet was well trod during the 51st Chicago International Film Festival. with film stars, directors and other personalities taking their walks in representing their films during the two weeks of the event. Photographer Joe Arce took the Exclusive Portraits, and Patrick McDonald got the soundbites.

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Artist and filmmaker Agnés Varda

CHICAGO – With the 51st Chicago International Film Festival now history, photographer Joe Arce of HollywoodChicago.com has collected his portrait highlights. Opening Night – October 15th, 2015 – was a Red-Carpet Extravaganza, with many notable personalities of the Festival making their way through the gauntlet of press and photographers. HollywoodChicago.com was also there, to collect some voices behind the images.

CHICAGO – The future of filmmaking was on display at the 51st Chicago International Film Festival at the City & State Short Film program. Subtitled “Feel the Illinoise,” the collection included works by directors Bradley Bischoff, Joel Benjamin, Ed Flynn, Andy Berlin, Jake Zalutsky and Weija Ma.

CHICAGO – The 2015 awards ceremony at the 51st Chicago International Festival took place on Friday, October 23rd, and Andrew Davis – International Competition Jury President – announced that the French film “A Childhood” was the recipient of the prestigious Gold Hugo Award for the festival’s top film.