Podcast

CHICAGO – One of the most influential documentary makers in film history is Chicagoan Steve James of Kartemquin Films. His lens has commented upon not only the seminal “Hoop Dreams” (1994), but “Stevie” (2002), “The Interrupters” (2011), the Roger Ebert bio doc “Life Itself” (2014) and the recent “America to Me.”

CHICAGO – One of the prime Chicago-centric documentaries at the 56th Chicago International Film Festival is “For Madmen Only: Stories of Del Close.” Del Close was a legendary instructor in the Chicago comedy improv scene, and director Heather Ross created this multi-layered doc of his comic force.

CHICAGO – One of the great and now traditional Fall cinema events in Chicago is the Shortcut 100 International Film Festival, and this year there will be a hybrid of in-person and virtual/online events associated with the 8th annual short film celebration.

CHICAGO – Fact or fiction is a current debate in news programming, especially as people naturally digest “the news” that makes them comfortable. A new five-episode web series created by filmmaker Ashton Swinford, “Miss Information,” is a satire-oriented show that seeks to entertain and educate viewers on the bias, fake news and bot infiltration that litters social media.

CHICAGO – When a prominent and influential producer made the transition into solo directing, she sought stories that matched her intuitive and natural passions. Lydia Dean Pilcher chose “A Call to Spy,” a World War II-era drama that focuses on three women who defied their obstacles and became early war heroes.

CHICAGO – A Chicago director comes into focus with her debut film, “Once Upon a River” with a Chicago screening beginning on Friday, October 2nd, 2020, at the historic Music Box Theatre. Director Haroula Rose – with Bonnie Jo Campbell, the author of the source novel of the film – sat down last year for HollywoodChicago.com at the 55th Chicago International Film festival regarding the film.

CHICAGO – The 38th edition of Chicago’s REELING LGBTQ+ fest – virtual and online in 2020 – kicked off on September 24th with the film “Breaking Fast.” Portraying the mother of main character Mo is Rula Gardenier, a former Chicago actor who now lives in Los Angeles.

CHICAGO – As an artist, it doesn’t get any more high profile than filmmaker and man-as-happening maestro Lonnie Edwards. Edwards will be showcasing his latest short film, “Periphery,” as part of The Chicago Onscreen Local Film Showcase, a health-friendly outdoor screening event on Saturday, September 12th, 2020.

CHICAGO – It’s a special day when a filmmaker has a world premieres of a new short work, and Ashton Swinford has picked The Midwest Film Festival (MFF) – on Wednesday, August 26th, 2020 – as the showcase for her directorial debut, “Red Flag.” The MMF is having their first event since the pandemic, and it will take place at Chicago’s new Drive-In on Throop Street, with the theme of Female Filmmaker

CHICAGO – When comic performer Ray Hui submitted his one minute film to the Asian Pop-Up Cinema’s “Stay-At-Home Short Film Competition” back in May, he didn’t realize that three months later his “2020 A Year in Review” would still be relevant. So add predictor-of-the-future to his long resume of comedy and performance.