Podtalk: Raul Benitez of Full Spectrum Features on Chicagoland Shorts Vol. 5, May 16, 2019

Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 15, 2019 - 9:18pm

CHICAGO – For the past five years, the film house of Full Spectrum Features have been presenting and then distributing a program of short films, which are based in Chicago and features the rising filmmaking talent in the Windy City. On Thursday, May 16th, 2019 (7pm), Full Spectrum Features presents Chicagoland Shorts Vol. 5, at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA).The event is free, and advanced tickets have been claimed, but there will be walk up opportunities that night. Click here for details.

’Exodus: Sounds of the Great Migration’ (Lonnie Edwards) in Chicagoland Shorts Vol. 5
Photo credit: Full Spectrum Features

The lead programmer of the Chicagoland Shorts is Raul Benitez of Full Spectrum Features, a veteran in film in the area for several years. He also currently programs for Comfort Film at Comfort Station Logan Square and at the Nightingale Cinema, plus has sat on the jury for the annual Cortadito Shorts Film Showcase at the Gene Siskel Film Center, and has helped program other local festivals. 

Film Programmer Raul Benitez
Photo credit: Full Spectrum Features

The films in the program for the Chicagoland Shorts Vol. 5 are “I Miss Jamie When She’s Gone” by Ashley Thompson, “Smart Nightmares” (animated) by Marisa Tolomeo, “Hall of Fishes” by Jennifer Bales, “Sheebop! Sheebop! Sheebop!” by Jiayi Chen and Cameron Warden, “Scaling Quelccaya” by Meredith Leich, “Exodus: Sounds of the Great Migration” by Lonnie Edwards and “Palenque” by Sebastian Pinzón Silva.

Full Spectrum Features NFP is a Chicago-based nonprofit organization committed to increasing diversity in the independent film industry by producing, exhibiting, and supporting the work of women, LGBTQ, and minority filmmakers. We also aim to educate the public about important social and cultural issues, utilizing the power of cinema to foster understanding in our communities.

In a Podtalk with Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com, Raul Benitez talks about the evolution of Chicagoland Shorts, the diversity of the program and his own interaction with the Chicago film Community.

Full Spectrum Features presents the premiere of Chicagoland Shorts Vol. 5 on Thursday, May 16th, 2019 (7pm), at the Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago. For more information on Full Spectrum Features click here.