Chicago

CHICAGO – It’s always darkest before the dawn, and an entire genre of film is available to remind us of that chilling thought. The historic Music Box Theatre presents “Noir City” – August 17th-23rd, 2018 – an annual celebration of “film noir,” the dark category of film drama that usually takes place at night, and features a rogues gallery of dames, gumshoes, coppers and crooks. Hosting for the 10th straight year is Eddie Muller, a recognized world expert on noir and also the host of Turner Classic Movie’s (TCM) “Noir Alley.” For more information, including tickets, click here.

CHICAGO – First Tuesdays in Chicago have a new face and a new attitude. Amy Guth – who is a filmmaker, author and broadcaster – was named in July as Executive Director of the Midwest Independent Film Festival, the monthly fest event that convenes every first Tuesday during the year. Her first presentation opportunity for 2018 is tomorrow night (Tuesday, August 7th) at the popular Female Filmmakers Night. For the short film line-up, more information and ticket purchasing, click here.

CHICAGO – One of the Windy City’s greatest annual cultural events will open its 2018 edition at the Gene Siskel Film Center. The 24th Black Harvest Film Festival runs from August 4th through 30th, 2018, and features a cornucopia of African American themed features and shorts celebrating stories, dreams, history and legacy. Many of the screenings will include filmmaker appearances, including the Opening Night short film overview, “A Black Harvest Feast,” featuring “Training Wheels” (directed by Sanicole), “Shotgun Wedding” (Derek Dow), “Stuck” (Praheme) and “Riverment” (Shaya Racquel).

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Loni Anderson of ‘WKRP in Cincinnati.’

CHICAGO – It’s coming back! One of the best annual pop culture entertainment and comic book gatherings returns to Chicagoland once again, as the Wizard World Comic Con will make its yearly visit to the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Ill., the weekend of August 23rd through the 26th, 2018. Besides the fan costumes, vendor booths and comic book legends, Wizard World has appearances from TV and movie celebrities, highlighted in 2018 by David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson (“The X-Files”), Ben Savage (“Boy Meets World”), Henry Winkler (“Happy Days,” Barry”) and Nichelle Nichols (“Star Trek,” Original Series).

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Chicago Fest Crowd at Emo Nite LA.

CHICAGO - Emo Nite LA performed at the Wicker Park Fest on Friday, July 27th, 2018. Emo Nite has origin in three friends (Babs Szabo, T.J. Petracca and Morgan Freed) performing at a small dive bar, and has grown into a full-blown phenomenon. Of course, they have been able to bring together some of the most incredible names in music who have become part of this Emo Nite “family”… including Halsey, Sonny Moore (Skrillex) & From First to Last, Chris Carrabba (Dashboard Confessional), Mark Hoppus (Blink 182), Post Malone, Demi Lovato and so many more.

They have been able to throw regular events in dozens of markets across the country, and have had spots on lineups at festivals like Life is Beautiful, Slam Dunk, BUKU and Vans Warped Tour. They have created successful clothing collabs with companies like OBEY, Urban Outfitters, PLEASURES, Rose in Good Faith, OWSLA and more. But above all else, they are ever changing the idea of what a music event can be.

CHICAGO – That’s a wrap! The Chicago 48 Hour Film Project (48HFP) goes into its final stage for 2018 with the Premiere Screenings of the short films – created in 48 hours by over 60 production teams – at the Music Box Theatre in Chicago on July 29th and 30th, with the “Best of” screening and Awards Ceremony on Thursday, August 3rd. Producer Jerry Vasilatos oversaw judging and the 48HFP itself for the fourth straight year, in its 14th edition in Chicago. For film line-ups and ticket information, click here.

CHICAGO – The end is near for the 2nd Annual Cinepocalypse Film Fest at the historic Music Box Theatre in Chicago, as they present “Killer Klowns from Outer Space” for their Closing Night Film on Thursday, June 28th (8:30p), with cult writer/directors (and brothers) Stephen and Charles Chiodo making an appearance on behalf of the film. For ticket information, click here.

CHICAGO – The buzz of the Chicago film week is the 2018 Cinepocalypse Film Festival at the Music Box Theatre. And there is no better excitement than a World Premiere, and director Yedidya “Jed” Gorsetman is doing just that with his new film, “Empathy, Inc.” For complete information about the screening, click here.

CHICAGO – The dark, mysterious film genre of noir has been a hand-in-glove for most of the cinema’s epic history. Director Kevin Epperson’s latest short film, “The Courtship,” uses all the familiar tools within the noir theme… the use of black&white, plus the roles of the hapless mark and the mysterious dame… to showcase the story of online dating gone awry. Epperson will be screening “The Courtship” at the Landmark Century Centre Cinema in Chicago, on Thursday, June 21st, 2018, at 7pm (click link below for more details).

CHICAGO – Ethan Hawke has made 2018 his year, and on June 7th the Gene Siskel Film Center of Chicago recognized his recent artistic achievements and his career by honoring him with their annual Renaissance Award. The event included a Red Carpet walk, and an on-stage talk with his friend, actor Vincent D’Onofrio.