Women in Film Chicago Inaugural Emerging Talent Series: Females in Focus

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Women in Film Chicago Inaugural Emerging Talent Series: Females in Focus
Celebrating the Short Films of Chicago’s Emerging Female Talent, March 19th at the Cultural Center

The Chicago chapter of internationally renowned Women in Film (WIF) will expand their already robust event rotation with a new series, Emerging Talent: Females in Focus. The series will profile Chicago’s emerging female filmmakers at a reception and screening held on Monday, March 19th, from 6 – 9 pm, at the Chicago Cultural Center’s Claudia Cassidy Theatre.

The evening will feature the short films of award-winning filmmakers Mary Kay Cook (Wednesday’s Child), Grace McPhillips (Fitting) and Anna Jung (Off Into Space). A pre-screening cocktail reception, WIFC-moderated Q&A with the filmmakers and post-show networking will round out the night.

The event is free and open to the public, but seating is limited and RSVP is strongly encouraged at wifchicago.org.

About Women in Film Chicago: Women in Film Chicago (WIFC) is a non-profit membership organization for all creative content professionals. With a focus on driving the advancement of women in this industry, WIFC provides a dynamic network to facilitate the exchange of ideas and opportunities and builds a solid educational platform to accelerate the professional development of its members.

The Chicago chapter of this diverse organization is dedicated to promoting the professional and educational advancement of its members, men and women alike, while contributing to the overall success of Chicago as a provider of high-caliber emerging media, digital, commercial, television, independent and major film production. Wifchicago.org

About the Filmmakers:
Mary Kay Cook, producer of “Wednesday’s Child” is an award-winning independent film producer with credits spanning multiple mediums, including features, commercials, shorts and music videos. Her work has been featured at film festivals, on television, and online. Mary Kay is the President of the Advisory Council for the Midwest Independent Film Festival, serves on the KMRC Endowment Campaign Cabinet, and is a proud member of SAG, AFTRA, AEA, and Women In Film Chicago. She works as a producer at Potenza Productions, a full service digital production company.

Grace McPhillips, producer, co-writer, and actress of “Fitting” is the owner of Sterling Rock Productions, specializing in creative fiction films. She also produces online content for Green Dream Group, a building diagnostics and training firm, which she co-owns with her husband. She served from 2007-10 on the board of the Illinois Production Alliance, helping to secure the Illinois Film Tax Credit; and proudly serves on the SAG council, which she is thrilled to see merge with AFTRA in April. Grace also created and spearheads the Chicago Acting in Film Meetup, a co-mentoring NFP for 250+ working actors, now in its 5th year.

Anna Jung, director of “Off Into Space”, is Chief Creative Director and owner of silentRebel, which specializes in creating authentic, story-driven content told by real people or based on real events. Anna got her start in film & advertising at DDB Chicago, working on accounts like JC Penney, McDonald’s and Dell. After an education at one of the world’s top agencies, Anna honed her creative skills at an independent start-up before branching out on her own. From producing work for Fortune 500 brands to creating original content for television and film, Anna never tires of the creative process and considers herself lucky to love what she does. Anna sits on the advisory board of Women in Film Chicago, and is an active member of the Midwest Independent Film Festival and IFP Chicago.

About the Films:
“Wednesday’s Child”: Kelly Marble discovers her entire existence has been a series of experiments for books written by her parents. After this shocking revelation, she hatches a plan to force them into admitting the truth, but life takes an unexpected turn.

“Fitting”: Two women – one in a bridal dress, the other adorned as a bridesmaid (again!) – randomly reconnect in a bridal fitting room after an 8 year-hiatus, and discover how different their lives have become. Hilarity ensues. (*Official selection of the 2012 Vancouver Women in Film Festival)

“Off Into Space”: One guy, one night, one unbelievable catch: a quirky and lighthearted mini-doc that explores how hope springs eternal through Mike Pantazis, the Chicago super-fan who garnered national media attention with his famed 1995 leap* from the stands of Soldier Field. (*Named in 2012 by ESPN SportsCenter as “one of the top 10 leaps of all time”; Official selection of the Midwest Independent Film Festival’s Advertising Community Shorts program.)

Full Screening Runtime: 45 mins.
Filmmakers’ photo provided by Heather Stumpf of Popio Stumpf Photography