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CHICAGO – The excellent new film “Babes,” which screened at the 2024 Chicago Critics Film Festival (CCFF) on May 4th, was the feature film director debut from a familiar name … Pamela Adlon (“Better Things”). Ms. Adlon walked the Red Carpet at Chicago’s historic Music Box Theatre.

Pamela Adlon at the 2024 Chicago Critics Film Festival
Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com

“Babes” is a hilarious riff on women friendships/bonding and an unexpected pregnancy. Eden (Ilana Glazer, also co-writer) and Dawn (Michelle Buteau) are besties, having grown up together in New York City, and are now firmly in different phases of adulthood. When carefree-and-single Eden finds herself pregnant after a one night stand, she decides to have the baby on her own, and her friendship with Dawn will face its greatest challenge. “Babes” is a hilarious and heartfelt comedy about the bonds of friendship and the messy, unpredictable challenges of being adult and becoming a parent.

Pamela Adlon is a mighty force of show biz awesomeness. In her early career, she was in the classic films “Say Anything … “ and “Grease 2.” She made name recognition with her husky-voiced characterization of Bobby Hill on the seminal animated series “King of the Hill,” which led to a varied animation VoiceOver career. She also had major supporting roles in “Californication” and “Louie” (on which she also produced and wrote episodes). But her big TV splash was on FX’s “Better Things,” the five-season series that she co-created, wrote, produced, directed and starred in.

Pamela Adlon Strikes Another Pose
Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com

HollywoodChicago.com photographer Joe Arce got the Exclusive Portraits of Pamela Adlon at the Chicago Critic’s Film Festival on May 4th, 2024. May the forth be with her.

The 11th Chicago Critics Film Festival runs through May 9th, 2024, at the Music Box Theatre, 3733 North Southport, Chicago. For the CCFF website, click here.

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

© 2024 Patrick McDonald, HollywoodChicago.com

NASHVILLE – I recently had the extraordinary opportunity to attend a performance at The Listening Room Cafe, where I was treated to an unforgettable evening featuring the “Next from Nashville” lineup. The showcase was nothing short of exceptional. Amidst this lineup of talent, one performer truly stood out to me … Zandi Holup.

Zandi Holup and the other performers had acoustic guitars in hand and standing microphones as their sole companions, inviting the audience into their world of music with nothing but their instruments and voices, bridging the gap between performer and listener. All the performers sang original music, effortlessly captivating the audience with soul-stirring melodies and heartfelt lyrics.

Zandi Holup
Photo credit: ZandiHolupMusic.com

Zandi’s profoundly felt vocals carried an aura of authenticity that immediately drew me in. With a style characterized by raw, unfiltered storytelling, Zandi’s music seemed to flow effortlessly from a deep well of personal emotion and introspective thoughts. Each note she sang and every lyric she expressed carried a deep-rooted weight, inviting the audience into her world of genuine disclosure and heartfelt resonance. She seemed to feel every word she sang and as a result the audience felt the emotion, experiencing each song with her on a personal level.

Originally hailing from Pennsylvania and now calling Nashville home, Zandi Holup’s music resonates with the spirit of iconic folk singer-songwriters such as Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, and Joni Mitchell. Her authentic blend of folk country music thrives on storytelling, reminiscent of legends like Dolly Parton, underscored by her emotive vocals.

Recognized as a 2023 “Artist to Watch” by The Nashville Briefing, Zandi Holup has since secured publishing and record deals with Arthouse Entertainment, TurnTable Music – in collaboration with Universal Music Publishing – and Big Loud Records, setting the stage for her forthcoming October 6th release, “Gas Station Flowers.” In the meantime, her single “Wait for You” soared to the top of Spotify’s all-genre Fresh Finds playlist, accumulating over a million streams.

“Rising status” is the key phrase to describe the ascension of Zandi Holup, marked by organic growth and grassroots support. In the the spirit of luminaries like Steve Earle, Amanda Shires and Ann Wilson of Heart … all of with whom Zandi have shared a stage … the spotlight is shining on her.

For more information about Zandi Holup (including her upcoming U.S. Tour Dates), click ZandiHolupMusic.com. For more music coverage and concert photos by HollywoodChicago.com Music Editor Jeff “Doc” Doles, click here.

Review by: Jeff Doles, Music Editor, HollywoodChicago.com
Published by: Patrick McDonald, Site Editor, HollywoodChicago.com

© 2024 HollywoodChicago.com LLC

CHICAGO – The 2024 Chicago Critics Film Festival is off and running, and the third day – Sunday, May 5th – screens and the 30th Anniversary of a modern classic and a highly anticipated upcoming release. “I Saw the TV Glow” by Jane Schoenbrun and “Little Women” (the 1994 version) anchor a full day of cinema heroics. For the full schedule, info and tickets, click CCFF May 5th. For individual films, click titles below.

30th Anniversary, LITTLE WOMEN

Little Women
Photo credit: ChicagoCriticsFilmFestival.com

Based on the classic 1868 novel about love, family and the female spirit, Louisa May Alcott tells the domestic saga of the March family in post-Civil War America with a cast that includes Winona Ryder, Susan Sarandon, Clare Danes, Christian Bale, Kirsten Dunst, Gabriel Byrne, Samantha Mathis, Eric Stoltz and Trini Alvarado.

CAPSULE REVIEW: Greta Gerwig’s 2019 re-imagining aside, the 1994 version – directed by Gillian Armstrong – of the oft-filmed classic combines the elements of 1990s filmmaking with a tilt towards the more classical elements of the book, combined with a turned-up volume of the feminine spirit elements of Alcott’s enduring Great American Novel. Winona Ryder as Jo and Susan Sarandon as Marmee are particularly memorable. (Shown in 35mm at 11:30am).

I SAW THE TV GLOW

I Saw the TV Glow
Photo credit: ChicagoCriticsFilmFestival.com

Owen (younger - Ian Foreman, older - Justice Smith) is just trying to make it through life in the suburbs when his classmate Maddy (Bridgette Lundy-Paine) introduces him to a mysterious late-night TV show, “The Pink Opaque” … a vision of a supernatural world beneath their own. In the pale glow of the television, Owen’s view of reality begins to crack.

CAPSULE REVIEW: The film is a journey of two people towards identity, in visual elements that are a kaleidoscope of cinema technique. The days of 1990s cable television are lovingly reproduced, as the TV show itself is filtered through a glow of a fantasy memory and borrowed videotapes. We’re all looking for something, after all. Director Jane Jane Schoenbrun is scheduled to appear for a post screening Q&A. (7:15pm).

The 11th Chicago Critics Film Festival is the the only such festival in the country curated by film critics, and highlights the 2024 films from the early year festivals like Sundance, SXSW and more. Other films on May 5th are ”The Dead Don’t Hurt” directed by Viggo Mortensen, ”The Remarkable Life of Ibelin” by Benjamin Ree and ”The Last Stop in Yuma County” by Francis Galluppi.

The 11th Chicago Critics Film Festival runs from May 3rd through May 9th, 2024, at the Music Box Theatre, 3733 North Southport, Chicago. For the CCFF website, click here.

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

© 2024 Patrick McDonald, HollywoodChicago.com

CHICAGO – Doc10, the annual Chicago documentary film festival, highlights a cautionary note for its 2024 Closing Night film on Sunday May 5th, at Chicago’s Davis Theater. ‘War Game’ is a look into a consequence exercise with expert participants playing roles, regarding a “what-if” the insurrection that occurred on January 6th, 2021 would escalate into a more coordinated attack … including the use of extremists within the military for the potential coup. Click WAR GAME for information and tickets.

The participants who took roles in the exercise … and all will appear at a Q&A on Doc10’s Closing Night … include former Montana Governor Steve Bullock, former North Dakota Senator Heidi Heitkamp, retired Major General Linda Singh and National Security Expert Elizabeth Neumann. Also appearing will be CEO Janessa Goldbeck of the VetVoice Foundation, the organization that expedited the war game, and the filmmakers of the “War Game” documentary, Jesse Moss and Tony Gerber.

‘War Game’ is the Closing Night Film for Doc10
Photo credit: Doc10.org

What if the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol spiraled further out of control? And U.S. military personnel and paramilitary groups joined forces to overthrow the government? That’s the scenario of “War Game,” a vivid and compelling docu-thriller that follows a future simulation exercise set on January 6, 2025, with prominent government experts portraying roles in the hypothetical crisis as a kind of “stress-test for our National Security System.”

CAPSULE REVIEW: When my late father, in his final year, watched the 2021 insurrection, the sadness on his face was palpable. “War Game” is so chilling because it is so real. We as a nation witnessed January 6th, and we also realize that the divisions have not cooled down three years later. The exercise shown in the documentary is not political fiction, it is an unfortunate likely scenario. Will I sit in front of a TV in 2025 and watch the democracy crumbling down? I can only hope not, in the name of my father. (7pm).

The Doc10 festival is facilitated by CMP (formerly the Chicago Media Project), founded in 2014 to support media that sparks people to action, connects people through engaging experiences, shares great media content and innovates to find new ways to support media-makers. For more information, click CMP.

The 2024 DOC 10 Film Festival runs through May 5th, at the Davis Theater and Gene Siskel Film Center, Chicago. For the DOC 10 website, click here.

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

© 2024 Patrick McDonald, HollywoodChicago.com

CHICAGO – “The Fall Guy” is one of those movies where what’s happening on the margins is so much more interesting than the main event. And the promotional campaign for it is far superior to the film itself. Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt have the romantic chemistry to fuel a high octane action comedy … but “The Fall Guy” never steps on the gas.

Gosling’s Colt Seavers is a stunt man in love with a camera operator Jody Moreno (Blunt). The film begins promising enough with a single take trip through the behind the scenes set of an unnamed action movie with Colt and Jody flirting over walkie talkies while he prepares for a big fall. However then the movie grinds to a halt after Colt breaks his back, ghosts Jody and washes up as a parking valet while trying to forget a career in the movies. He’s talked back onto set when the egotistical star Tom Ryder (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) goes missing while shooting a sci-fi western blockbuster being directed by, you guessed it, Jody.

”The Fall Guy” is in theaters beginning May 3rd. Featuring Ryan Gosling, Emily Blunt, Hannah Waddingham, Winston Duke, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Stephanie Hsu. Written by Drew Pearce. Directed by David Leitch. Rated “PG-13”

Continue reading for Spike Walter’s full review of “The Fall Guy”

The Fall Guy
Photo credit: Universal Pictures

Continue reading for Spike Walter’s full review of “The Fall Guy”

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Ben Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on May 2nd, reviewing “Unfrosted,” featuring Jerry Seinfeld as lead role, co-writer and his debut as director. Streaming on Netflix beginning May 3rd.

The year is 1963, and Seinfeld is Bob Cabana, product developer at the Kellogg’s cereal company in Battle Creek, Michigan. He reports directly to company owner Edsel Kellogg III (Jim Gaffigan), and lives the prototype early 1960s American Dream life with John F. Kennedy, Walter Cronkite, Tony the Tiger (Hugh Grant, in a stretch) and daily milk man deliveries. Kellogg’s rival is Post Cereals, also in Battle Creek, owned by Majorie Post (Amy Schumer). Kelloggs is facing off with Post … with the help of food developer Donna “Stan” Stankowski (Melissa McCarthy … to be the first to create a toaster pastry for America’s breakfast tables. The race is on.

”Unfrosted” is streaming on Netflix beginning May 3rd. Featuring Jerry Seinfeld, Jim Gaffigan, Melissa McCarthy, Amy Schumer, Hugh Grant and Bill Burr. Written by Jerry Seinfeld, Spike Feresten, Andy Robin and Barry Marder. Directed by Jerry Seinfeld. Rated “PG-13”

CLICK HERE for Patrick McDonald’s on-air review of “Unfrosted”

Unfrosted
Photo credit: Netflix

CLICK HERE for Patrick McDonald’s on-air review of “Unfrosted”

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Ben Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on May 2nd, reviewing “The Fall Guy,” featuring Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt in an adaptation of an 1980s TV series. In theaters on May 3rd.

Ryan Gosling is Colt Seavers, a stunt man for the movies, particularly doubling for famous action star Tom Ryder (Aaron Taylor-Johnson). As the film begins, it’s established that Colt has a relationship with Jody (Emily Blunt), but the relationship is severed after Colt breaks his back with a stunt gone wrong. After a year goes by and he’s healed, Colt gets a call from Movie Producer Gail (Hannah Waddingham from “Ted Lasso”), hiring him back to work on a film that Jody is directing. When a murder occurs and Colt is framed for it, he suddenly involved in more than just stunts

”The Fall Guy” is in theaters beginning May 3rd. Featuring Ryan Gosling, Emily Blunt, Hannah Waddingham, Winston Duke, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Stephanie Hsu. Written by Drew Pearce. Directed by David Leitch. Rated “PG-13”

CLICK HERE for Patrick McDonald’s on-air review of “The Fall Guy”

The Fall Guy
Photo credit: Universal Pictures

CLICK HERE for Patrick McDonald’s on-air review of “The Fall Guy”

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for the “The Idea of You,” adapted from the popular novel by Robinne Lee, directed by Michael Showalter and featuring Anne Hathaway. Streaming on Prime Video beginning May 2nd, 2024.

Anne Hathaway is Soléne, a woman on the cusp of her 40th birthday who birthed a daughter when she was in her early twenties, and is now divorced from her ex Daniel (Reid Scott). Through a series of wacky circumstances, she meets a boy band singer named Hayes (Nicolas Galitzine), who is s member of AUGUST MOON, a favorite of her now high-school-aged daughter Izzy (Ella Rubin) … when she was in seventh grade. Hayes is now 24, Soléne is decidedly older, but they instantly connect and begin a relationship. When it takes a turn to serious love, social media and the clickbait press takes notice, and the love connection starts to disrupt everyone’s lives. It’s up to Soléne to make the right decision about the coupling.

“The Idea of You” is streaming on Prime Video beginning May 3rd. Featuring Anne Hathaway, Nicolas Galitzine, Ella Rubin, Reid Scott and Anne Mumolo. Screenplay adapted by Michael Showalter and Jennifer Westfeldt. Directed by Michael Showalter. Rated “R”

CLICK HERE for Patrick McDonald’s audio review of “The Idea of You.”

The Idea of You
Photo credit: Prime Video

CLICK HERE for Patrick McDonald’s audio review of “The Idea of You.”

CHICAGO – Opening Night at the 2024 Chicago Critics Film Festival (CCFF) on May 3rd will include the last film of popular South Korean (SK) Actor Lee Sun-kyun, entitled “Sleep” (click here for tickets) The world was rocked on December 27th, 2023, when the report came through that that actor – who had a prominent role in the 2019 Oscar Best Picture “Parasite’ – had died at age 48 from an apparent suicide in Seoul (SK), months after his appearance in Chicago during the Asian Pop-Up Cinema.

“Sleep” follows newlyweds Hyun-su (Lee Sun-kyun) and Soo-jin (Jung Yu-mi), whose domestic bliss is disrupted when Hyun-su begins speaking in his sleep, ominously stating, “someone’s inside.”  From that night on, whenever he falls asleep, Hyun-su transforms into someone else, with no recollection of what happened the night before. Overwhelmed with anxiety that he may hurt himself or their young family, Soo-jin can barely sleep because of this irrational fear. Despite treatment, Soo-jin begins to feel that her unborn child may be in danger.

Lee Sun Kyun in ‘Sleep,’ screening at the 2024 CCFF on May 3rd
Photo credit: ChicagoCriticsFilmFestival.com

CAPSULE REVIEW: A relatable problem becomes a scenario with a high creep factor. Lee Sun-kyun takes his final bow with a strange parallel to his real life, as his character is haunted with “someone inside.” Director Jason Yu creates an atmosphere of paranoia and madness, all due to the factor of disrupted sleep. As is noted with the character interpreted by Lee Sun-kyun and the actor himself, it can happen to anyone. (Midnight).

After beginning his career in musical theatre, Lee Sun-kyun was relegated to minor and supporting roles onscreen as he began in TV and film. His breakthrough was in SK TV’s “Coffee Prince” and the medical drama “Behind the White Tower,” both in 2007. He gained more popularity with “My Mister,” which is currently on Netflix.

In film he got award-winning notices in Paju (2009), and arthouse credibility with “Oki’s Movie” (2010) and “Nobody’s Daughter Haewan” (2013). In “Parasite,” Lee portrayed Park Dong-ik, the patriarch of the wealthy family in the film. Besides the Oscars, Lee scored an Ensemble Award from the Screen Actors Guild. In his appearance at APUC’s Closing Night, Lee was representing his role as Jonathan Na in “Killing Romance,” with a nearly perfect comic performance.

In a flashback interview to October of 2023, Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com talked to Lee through an interpreter.

HollywoodChicago.com: When you were filming ‘Parasite,’ was there anything you experienced on set or saw when it premiered that told you that this could be the Academy Award Best Picture, or was the whole journey to that trophy just one big surprise, and why either way?

LS-k: Because the film received the Palme d’OR at Cannes we were hoping that the film would received some recognition at the Oscars, because it was the first Korean film that even had a chance.

When all the nominations came out, I expected that director Boon Joon-ho could win, but I never thought we had a chance at Best Picture. So when our director won, we thought the day was over. You cannot imagine how surprised and excited we were when they called the film for Best Picture. I’ll never forget it.

HollywoodChicago.com: And how did your career change after all the awards, or did it?

LS-k: I got a bump … there were several offers to do international films. But my English isn’t very good, and although I probably should have worked harder on learning the language the offers that came in Korea were steady, because ‘Parasite’ raised our profile. There has been an uptick both in Korean cinema and culture, so I hope it provides opportunities for our younger actors coming up.

Lee Sun Kyun Accepts APUC’s Excellent Achievement in Film Award, October of 2023
Photo credit: AsianPopUpCinema.org

HollywoodChicago.com: Why do you like working for directors like Boog Joon-ho and Lee Won Suk, even when you’re doing something that you’d never thought you would do in a film?

LS-k: First, I respect and like both directors, but their styles are completely different. Bong Joon-ho is a planner, from script to storyboard. Everything to seem finished inside his head before he steps onto the set. With director Lee, especially since ‘Killing Romance’ is a comedy, we had a lot of different approaches and discussions on set, as well as room for improvisation.

HollywoodChicago.com: Finally, what was your favorite moment as a performer in ‘Parasite’?

LS-k: I liked the scene where the daughter brings in a peach, and the housekeeper vomits blood … but as far as my contributions to the film it was really the opportunity to work with Bong Joon-ho. My first scene was driving, and there were just butterflies in my stomach. 

The 11th Chicago Critics Film Festival runs from May 3rd through May 9th, 2024, at the Music Box Theatre, 3733 North Southport, Chicago. For the CCFF website, click here.

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

CHICAGO – The Closing Night of the 2024 Cinema Femme Film Festival will be the short film showcase, based on letter writing themes, as the “Sincerely, Yours” block will start at 7:30pm, and “P.S.” will begin at 9:30pm. Both programs will be at Chicago’s historic Music Box Theatre. For more information and tickets, click SINCERELY or P.S.

Presented by Cinema Femme Magazine, the film festival emphasizes the importance of supporting emerging female and non-binary filmmakers, and connects those filmmakers to their Breaking Down Walls mentorship and retreat. The letter writing themes will include locally produced short films by Linh Tran (“Video Funeral”), Krista Kane (“Except”), Alison Torem (“Road Head”), Bridget Francis Harris (“Places of Worship”) and Lua Borges (“Madonna”).

Cinema Femme Short Film Festival
Photo credit: CinemaFemme.com

Festival Director Rebecca Martin Fagerholm is also the Managing Editor of Cinema Femme magazine. She founded the publication and began the film festival in 2018 because she wanted to create a platform for female and non-binary voices in the film community, and has hosted film screenings throughout Chicago and virtual panel discussions through the festival.

In a video clip, writer/director Linh Tran talks about “Video Funeral” …

Trailer, the Cinema Femme Short Film Festival …

Cinema Femme Magazine presents the 6th Cinema Femme Short Film Festival, with in-person shorts programs on May 1st, and one more virtual events on May 2nd, 2024. For all information about Cinema Femme, click here.

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

© 2024 Patrick McDonald, HollywoodChicago.com

CHICAGO – Doc10, the annual Chicago documentary film festival, opens on May 2nd, 2024, with a new documentary about the famous avant garde rock band entitled “DEVO,” directed by Chris Smith. who will appear live, with the band participating via Zoom. Click DEVO for more information and tickets.

This spirited and irreverent portrait of the legendary new wave ban DEVO charts the unlikely rise of the musical innovators from Akron, Ohio. From Kent State radicals in the 1970s, galvanized by political unrest, to unlikely icons of the 1980s, featured in Honda Scooter commercials and mainstays of the early days of MTV … they are not men, they are DEVO. The film is directed by Chris Smith, known for his breakout debut “American Movie,” and goes beyond the typical bio-doc to channel the absurdity and edginess of the sonic provocateurs of DEVO, with the help of their own bizarre and hilarious archival materials. “Whip it, whip it good!”

’DEVO’ is the Opening Night Film for the 2024 Doc10
Photo credit: Doc10.org

The 2024 Doc10 festival will take place Thursday, May 2 through Sunday, May 5 at the Gene Siskel Film Center in Downtown Chicago and the Davis Theater in Chicago’s Lincoln Square neighborhood. For the complete list of documentaries and schedule, click 2024 DOC 10.

The 2024 DOC 10 Film Festival runs from May 2nd through May 5th, at the Davis Theater and Gene Siskel Film Center, Chicago. For the DOC 10 website, click here.

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

© 2023 Patrick McDonald, HollywoodChicago.com

CHICAGO – The 2024 Chicago Critics Film Festival (CCFF) kicks off on Friday, May 3rd, with “Sing Sing” and continues through May 9th with an amazing cinema week featuring the best of the winter/spring bold face film fests, special guests, revivals and surprises! Click on 2024 CCFF for tickets and schedule.

The 11th CCFF
Photo credit: ChicagoCriticsFilmFestival.com

In “Sing Sing,” Divine G (Colman Domingo), who is imprisoned in New York State’s infamous Sing Sing prison, finds purpose by acting in a theatre group alongside other men who are incarcerated. The story uses actual incarceration actors alongside Domingo and the other professionals, and the guests for Opening Night includes director Greg Kwedar, and actors Clarence “Divine Eye’ Maclin, Paul Raci and Sean “Dino” Johnson.

CAPSULE REVIEW: The redemptive power of pretending to be something else is on display in this remarkable tale, filtered through the intense experiences of both society’s law breakers and rejected persons (including a majority people of color). Frustrations, revelations and a calming influence follow the troupe to their stage play, where all the men in this case are merely players, in a fascinating journey. (6:30pm).

The 11th edition of the Chicago Critics Film Festival is the the only such festival in the country curated by film critics, and highlights the 2024 films from the early year festivals like Sundance, SXSW and others. Opening Night will also feature “Cuckoo,” directed by Tilman Singer and “Sleep” by Jason Yu. The Closing Night film on May 9th will be “Ghostlight” by local legends Kelly O’Sullivan and Alex Thompson. More capsule film reviews of the Festival offerings will be published at HollywoodChicago.com at various times during the six day event.

The 11th Chicago Critics Film Festival runs from May 3rd through May 9th, 2024, at the Music Box Theatre, 3733 North Southport, Chicago. For the CCFF website, click here.

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

© 2024 Patrick McDonald, HollywoodChicago.com

CHICAGO – The Midwest Film Festival (MFF) presents “Impact Shorts Night” on April 29th, 2024, and a big part of the new programming and direction for the longtime film networking fest is their new Operations Director NK Gutiérrez. For tickets and info, click IMPACT.

“Impact Shorts Night” is an evening of films that make a difference … powerful shorts that not only tell compelling stories but also tackle important societal issues. The line-up features “Teacher of Patience” by Carmen Vincent, “Queer” by Ariana Alejandra Vargas, Sure as the Wind by Mike Ambs and Greg Shewchuk, plus The Inside Singers by Daniel Kolen. The evening begins at 6:30pm with a Networking Reception, followed by a Community Spotlight (details below), the short film screenings (with filmmaker Q&As) and an After Party at the Emerald Loop Bar & Grill in Chicago’s Loop.

April 29th, 2024, at the Gene Siskel Film Center
Photo credit: MidwestFilm.com

In April’s Community Spotlight conversation, the MFF welcomes The Simple Good, an organization that equips youth to become positive change-makers through art and dialogue. Our networking reception will feature artworks created by these young individuals.

The MFF’s new Operations Manager is NK (Nicole Kristine) Gutiérrez. She is a classically trained dancer, vocalist, actor and filmmaker, most recently booking recurring roles in Showtime’s “The Chi,” NBC’s “Chicago Fire” and her 4th run of the hit show, “La Gringa,” at the 2022 Puerto Rican International Theater Festival in San Juan. Besides the MFF, she is the co-chair of the Black Harvest Film Festival and co-lead of the Film Club at Soho House Chicago.

In Podtalk interview by Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com, NK Gutiérrez on the Impact of “Impact Shorts Night” and more …

In a video clip, NK gives the pitch (“arf” says the pooch) …

The Midwest Film Festival has been a staple in Chicago’s film community for since 2004. At the beginning of 2020, the festival was reinvented with a a new outlook and name, facilitated by Executive Director Erica Duffy. It remains one of the most influential and provocative film festivals in the city.

The Midwest Film Festival Presents Impact Shorts Night, beginning at 6:30pm on Monday, April 29th, at the Gene Siskel Film Center, Chicago. For more info on The Midwest Film Festival, click here.

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

© 2024 Patrick McDonald, HollywoodChicago.com