Slideshow, Interviews: Red Carpet Portraits at Chicago Intl Film Festival Gala, June 1, 2024

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John C. Reilly, Career Achievement Award honoree.

CHICAGO – The Red Carpet was for rock … er, cinema … stars at the the 60th Chicago International Film Festival (CIFF) Summer Gala, and the directors, actors and film VIPs were present and feted. Patrick McDonald and Photographer Joe Arce of HollywoodChicago.com were also there, and got the stars to pose and talk.

Hosted with raucous glee by “Today Show” personality Al Roker, the night was a luminous event with brilliant speeches, highlighted by Career Achievement Awardee John C. Reilly, who thanked his born-and-bred Chicago upbringing for his movie star career. Also honored was filmmaker Jennifer Reeder (“Knives and Skin”) who received the Tour De Force Award for her progressive feminist filmography, and took us through her journey in a screenplay speech format. CIFF Founder Michael Kutza was also honored, and received a standing ovation.

Also among the Red Carpet attendees were documentarian Steve James (“Hoop Dreams”), co-filmmakers Alex Thompson & Kelly O’ Sullivan (the upcoming “Ghostlight”), filmmaker Davy Chou (“Return to Seoul”), actor/CIFF Black Perspective co-chair Regina Taylor, filmmaker McKenzie Chinn (“Olympia”), filmmaker Haroula Rose (“All Happy Families”) and actor/improver David Pasquesi (TJ & Dave).

The 60th Chicago International Film Festival’s (CIFF) Summer Gala kicks off a milestone year for the famous fest. HollywoodChicago.com photographer Joe Arce got the Exclusive Portraits on June 1st, 2024.. Click “Next” and “Previous” to scan through the slideshow or jump directly to individual photos with the captioned links below. All photos © Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com, except McKenzie Chinn.

1. CIFFGALA1: John C. Reilly, Career Achievement Award honoree.
2. CIFFGALA2: Host Al Roker, 60th CIFF Summer Gala.
3. CIFFGALA3: Filmmaker Jennifer Reeder, Tour De Force Award Honoree.
4. CIFFGALA4: CIFF Founder Michael Kutza, who started the festival in 1965.
5. CIFFGALA5: Documentarian Steve James (“Hoop Dreams”).
6. CIFFGALA6: Co-filmmakers Alex Thompson & Kelly O’ Sullivan (the upcoming “Ghostlight”).
7. CIFFGALA7: Actor/CIFF Black Perspective co-chair Regina Taylor.
8. CIFFGALA8: Actor/Filmmaker McKenzie Chinn (“Olympia”).
9. CIFFGALA9: Filmmaker Haroula Rose (“All Happy Families”).
10. CIFFGALA10: Filmmaker Davy Chou (“Return to Seoul”).
11. CIFFGALA11: Actor/improver David Pasquesi (TJ & Dave).

Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com got the interviews with the above cinema stars, and they start below with links to Reilly and Roker, and the rest coordinated with the order they are in for the Slideshow above.

CLICK HERE for a profile and Red Carpet interview of 60th CIFF Summer Gala Career Achievement Honoree, actor John C. Reilly.

CLICK HERE for a profile and Red Carpet interview of 60th CIFF Summer Gala Career Achievement Host Al Roker.

Jennifer Reeder …

Michael Kutza over the years …

Steve James …

Alex Thompson & Kelly O’Sullivan …

Regina Taylor …

McKenzie Chinn …

Haroula Rose …

Davy Chou …

David Pasquesi …

By PATRICK McDONALD Editor and Film Critic/Writer HollywoodChicago.com pat@hollywoodchicago.com