Film News

CHICAGO – Writer, Director and Actor Emerald Fennell is leading a new revolution of commentary in her feature films. She began with “Promising Young Woman” in 2020 – for which she won an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay – and her follow-up is “Saltburn,” which screened at the 59th Chicago International Film Festival on October 19th.

CHICAGO – David Dastmalchian’s star is rising rapidly. The actor, who studied locally at DePaul University, brought his new role on film – “Late Night with the Devil” – to the 59th Chicago International Film Festival. A reprise screening will take place on October 19th, 2023. Click LATE NIGHT for info and tickets.

CHICAGO – Michael Shannon is also a film director. The distinctive actor, who has wowed cinema fans with his performances over the years, showcased his directorial debut at the 59th Chicago International Film Festival (CIFF) with “Eric Larue.” Shannon did a master class on directing, walked the Red Carpet and appeared at the film screening.

CHICAGO – It’s officially launched! The 59th Chicago International Film Festival (CIFF) began on October 11th, 2023, with a Block Party near the historic Music Box Theatre and continues through October 22th. HollywoodChicago.com caught up with the director of the Opening Night film, “We Grown Now,” and offers a preview to this weekend’s Industry Days.

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 – The greatest annual 11 days of Chicago cinema is about to commence … the 59th Chicago International Film Festival (CIFF)… and like last year will kick off with a block party in the vicinity of the historic Music Box Theatre on Southport Avenue.

CHICAGO – Season 17 of Chicago’s Asian Pop-Up Cinema’s (APUC17) wraps up with a South Korean Cinema Showcase on October 6th-7th, 2023, featuring a special in-person appearance by actor Lee Sun-Kyun of the Oscar Best Picture “Parasite,” representing his new film “Killing Romance.” For appearance details and ticket info, click

CHICAGO – The distinctive voice of actor Robert Stack rang out 35 years ago, heralding in one of the first “true crime” TV series, “Unsolved Mysteries.” For one day only, Chicago will participate in a screening at the Wrigleyville’s Alamo Drafthouse on October 4th, 2023 (4pm), of the new documentary “Unsolved Mysteries: Behind the Legacy.” For more information and tickets, click UM:BTL.

CHICAGO – The queer community is everywhere in this spinning world, even Cuba. A new filmmaker, Hansel Porras Garcia, spotlights a story of Cuba in his debut feature film “Febrero” at the Chicago Reeling2023 International LBGTQ+ Film Festival on September 27th, 2023. For details and tickets, click FEBRERO.

CHICAGO – Week Three of Season 17 Chicago’s Asian Pop-Up Cinema’s (APUC17) will focus on some outside-the-norm Asian countries including Iran, Afghanistan and Mongolia, including in-person appearances. For details and ticket info, click APUC17.