Film News

CHICAGO – The end of the 2019 academic year means graduation is nearing, and Chicago’s Columbia College – offering a curriculum that blends creative and media arts, liberal arts and business for nearly 7,000 students – is celebrating with their undergraduate “Advanced Practicum.” The short film program, which combines collaborative talent for directors, producers and post-production, is part of the day-long events of the college’s “Manifest Urban Arts Festival.” For more information about Advanced Practicum, click here.

CHICAGO – The 2019 CineYouth Festival launched on Friday, April 26th, and the kickoff featured a Sundance Film Fest award winner, “Jawline.” The documentary, directed by Liza Mandelup, is a ripped-from-the-now overview on the impact of teenage life through the creation of social connections online rather than in reality. The 15th edition of the CineYouth Fest will feature 64 films from 18 different countries, all produced by filmmakers who are 22 years old or younger. All the screenings, workshops and other happenings are FREE and open to the public. For more information, click here. The CineYouth Festival runs through Sunday, April 28th.

CHICAGO – The future of filmmaking will be on full display this weekend as Cinema/Chicago – the facilitators of the annual Chicago International Film Festival – presents the 2019 CineYouth Festival. The 15th edition of the Fest will feature 64 films from 18 different countries, all produced by filmmakers who are 22 years old or younger. The Opening Film on Friday, April 26th, is ‘Jawline,’ and director Liza Mandelup will appear on behalf of the film. The screening is FREE and open to the public at the historic Music Box Theatre in Chicago, register for tickets by clicking here. The CineYouth Festival runs through Sunday, April 28th.

CHICAGO – For every grand name in history, there are behind-the-scenes performers who contribute to that history just as profoundly. One such person was “Father Ted” of Notre Dame, profiled in Patrick Creadon’s new documentary, “Hesburgh.” The film opens Friday, April 26th, 2019, at the Music Box Theatre in Chicago.

NEW YORK CITY – The 18th edition of the Tribeca Film Festival will open with a love letter to a New York City Harlem neighborhood icon. The legendary Apollo Theater will screen the Opening Night film, “The Apollo,” on April 24th, 2019. This documentary chronicles the unique history and contemporary legacy of this New York City landmark, and kicks off the two week festival, Wednesday, April 24th through Sunday, May 5th.

CHICAGO – Season Eight of Chicago’s Asian Pop-Up Cinema (APUC) concludes another memorable run on Wednesday, April 24th, 2019, with “Tracey,” its Closing Night film from Hong Kong. The story of sexual orientation and gender truth is directed by Jun LI, who will appear on behalf of the film at AMC River East 21 in downtown Chicago.

CHICAGO – Korea Week continues in Season Eight of Chicago’s Asian Pop-Up Cinema (APUC) on Wednesday, April 17th, 2019, and the film presented will be “Memories of a Dead End.” The story of emotional healing is directed by Hyun-young Choi, who will appear on behalf of the co-produced South Korean/Japan film at AMC River East 21 in downtown Chicago.

CHICAGO – One of the exciting weekend film festivals in Chicago is DOC 10, a celebration of non-fiction filmmaking at its highest level. And no one knows that more than Steve Cohen, the co-founder – with Paula Froehle – of the festival. Cohen and Froehle not only help facilitate and curate DOC 10, but also produce documentaries through their Chicago Media Project. The Closing Night Film of DOC 10, on April 14th, 2019, is “Biggest Little Farm.” For more information and tickets, click here.

CHICAGO – One of the great predictors of Oscar worthy films is Chicago’s DOC 10 festival. The Chicago Media Project presents its fourth annual documentary fest, a weekend of 10 prominent documentaries that end up either making a national statement or nominated for awards (last year’s fest included Oscar nominees “Minding the Gap” and “RBG”). It all takes place at the Davis Theatre in the Lincoln Square neighborhood from April 11th-14th, 2019, and opens with “Knock Down the House.” For more information and tickets, click here.

CHICAGO – The 35th edition of the Chicago Latino Film Festival (CLFF) is coming to a close, and their final night film is “El Reality” on April 11th, 2019, at the AMC River East 21 in Chicago’s Streeterville neighborhood. This Closing Night event and its gala after party (at Chez, 247 East Ontario) celebrates the whole festival, concluding after a two week run. For more information and tickets, click here.