Interview

CHICAGO – When a locally filmed romantic Christmas movie was released last week on HULU, the audience comfort and joy for this genre was proven once again by its TOP TEN trending status on the streaming service. The merry elf director behind “Reporting for Christmas” is Chicago-based Jack C. Newell.

CHICAGO – Opening Night of the 40th Chicago International Children’s Film Festival’s (CICFF40) is November 3rd, and Festival Director Deidre Searcy presents a night at Chicago History Museum. For details/tickets, click CICFF.

CHICAGO – As Chicago’s Black Harvest Film Festival enters its third decade, new leadership are providing the filmmaker’s showcase. The theme for 2023 is “Revolutionary Visions,” and putting the program together is Lead Film Curator Jada-Amina and Fest Coordinator Nick Leffal. Opening Night is November 3rd, and for a list of films/info, click BLACK HARVEST.

CHICAGO – When one man wanted to screen independent films beyond Chicago, he founded the Lake County Film Festival (LCFF). That Founder and now Executive Director is Nat Dykeman, and the 13th LCFF will take place over the next two weekends, with Opening Night on Halloween. For details and tickets, click 13th LCFF.

CHICAGO – The director debut is the flourishing element of any film festival, and the Chicago International Film Festival (CIFF) has always been a nurturing place for the latest cinema talent. “Pet Shop Days” is the debut of director and co-writer Olmo Schnabel, and screened at the 59th CIFF.

CHICAGO – The stature and talent of actor Matthew Modine has loomed large for nearly two generations. He began his career in his early twenties, and continues to make an impact as he takes on new roles … for instance, that of a social worker in “Hard Miles,” which screened at the 59th Chicago International Film Festival (CIFF).

CHICAGO – Season 17 of Chicago’s Asian Pop-Up Cinema’s (APUC17) had their Closing Night on October 7th, 2023, with a special screening of “Killing Romance” … part of their South Korean Film Showcase … which included an appearance by SK movie star Lee Sun Kyun, who also had a prominent role in the Oscar Best Picture “Parasite.”

CHICAGO – Stand-up comic Liz Miele is a true comedy veteran, even in her current youth. She began her career at age 16 and has kept up with the evolution of both comedy and reaching an audience, as evidenced by her YouTube specials garnering millions of views. She brings her act to Chicago on October 22nd, 2023 (7:15pm), at the Den Theatre on Milwaukee Avenue. For tickets and info, click LIZ MIELE.

CHICAGO – The After Dark series at the 59th Chicago International Film Festival (CIFF) encompasses the “genre” category of films … horror, sci-fi, fantasy and the just plain bizarre. And the programmer behind it is film veteran Raul Benitez. For more info and After Dark line-ups, click AFTER DARK.

CHICAGO – It’s five times the fun for the fifth time. Filmmaker Jack C. Newell and Rebecca Fons of the Gene Siskel Film Center will conduct their 5th “Destroy Your Art” event. The idea is a filmmaker creates a film, shows it once to the audience, and then destroys it forever. This will take place this year at the historic Music Box Theatre on Tuesday, September 26th, 2023. For more information, including tickets, click DYA.