Chicago

CHICAGO – Poet and Activist Lina Ramona Vitkauskas is also a first generation Lithuanian-American. In keeping an eye on the situation in her homeland – part of the Baltic States that broke independently from the old Soviet Union – she discovered a new documentary about the Russian infiltration in the country’s political structure. “The Master Plan” breaks down the several-year campaign by Vladimir Putin to divide opinions and politics, to disrupt the region and confuse the recent independence. Sound familiar? A FREE screening of “The Master Plan” will take place on Tuesday, November 14th, 2017 (7pm) at the historic Music Box Theatre in Chicago.

CHICAGO – The Fall Season Five continues for the Asian Pop-Up Cinema series in Chicago as they roll down the alley for “Split,” Wednesday, November 1st, 2017, at the AMC River East 21 Theatre. This South Korean bowling comedy is directed by Choi Kook-hee. Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com will make an appearance as “the bowler,” with Ron Falzone of Columbia College moderating. For complete details and to purchase tickets, click here.

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That’s the Ticket! Jon Lovitz portrays Lincoln Groome in ‘Chasing the Blues.’

CHICAGO – The Chicago International Film Festival has always been a proponent of local filmmaking, and the 53rd edition of the Fest had a special Red Carpet for a Chicago film. “Chasing the Blues” was filmed in the Windy City, with stars Jon Lovitz, Grant Rosenmeyer and director Scott Smith, who all walked the Carpet on October 14th, 2017. HollywoodChicago.com interviewed the principle cast and crew before the world premiere of “Chasing the Blues” at the festival.

CHICAGO – The filmmaker/creative group known as Women of the Now are keen to present happenings in Chicago, decorating their events with installations and themed entertainment. Their next gathering, the last big bash of the year, will take place on Saturday, October 7th, 2017, at Camera Ambassador (details below) and is called “Deities of the Divine.”

LOS ANGELES – Hugh Hefner was the man who turned the key to the sexual revolution when he founded Playboy Magazine in 1953. What started in an apartment in Chicago became a worldwide empire as the Playboy brand and image was embedded into American consciousness. Hefner died on Sept. 27, 2017. He was 91.

CHICAGO – REELING (Reeling17), Chicago’s LGBTQ+ International Film Festival in America, closes its 35th edition in Chicago at the Landmark Century Centre Cinema on Thursday, September 28th (details below). Closing Night will feature an unique film called “Sunday Church,” featuring Luka Kain, Margot Bingham and Regina Taylor and written/directed by Damon Cardasis – his debut film.

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Tyler Blackburn portrays Jack in ‘Hello Again.’

CHICAGO – Opening Night was a “reel” party as the 35th edition of “Reeling2017,” Chicago’s LGBTQ+ International Film Festival, kicked off at the historic Music Box Theatre on September 21st, 2017. The opening film was ‘Hello Again,” directed by Tom Gustafson, and featured Tyler Blackburn (“Pretty Little Liars”) and Jenna Ushkowitz (“Glee”). All three walked the Red Carpet before the screening, joined by screenwriter Cory Krueckeberg, and HollywoodChicago.com was there for Exclusive Photos and interviews.

CHICAGO – The second-oldest LGBTQ+ international film festival in America, REELING (Reeling17), launches its 35th edition in Chicago at the historic Music Box Theatre on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2017. The opening-night film will be the musical “Hello Again” with appearances by featured cast members Tyler Blackburn (“Pretty Little Liars”) and Jenna Ushkowitz (“Glee”) along with director Tom Gustafson and screenwriter Cory Krueckeberg.

CHICAGO – On September 20th, 2017, Chicago’s Asian Pop-Up Cinema will kickoff their Fall 2017 film series, their Season Five. “The Gangster’s Daughter,” a Taiwanese drama about a rebellious teen reunited with her gangster father, will begin the series on Wednesday, September 20th, 2017, at the AMC River East Theatre in downtown Chicago, with director Chen Mei-Juin will be in attendance. For complete details and to purchase tickets, click here.

CHICAGO – When the filmmaker faces his biggest screen, what will his art mean? Director Brian Zahm is about to find out, as he screens his short film “Marquee” on the state-of-the-art 40 foot LED screen at Chicago’s Millennium Park Summer Film Series on September 5th, 2017 (6:30pm). The short will be an appetizer for the main event, the screening of “Wayne’s World” as the feature presentation. The program will be the final films in the popular series at Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park.