Director

CHICAGO – The first awards show of the season takes off on Thursday, November 2nd, as the BEST OF THE MIDWEST Awards will be presented by the Midwest Film Festival at CineCity Studios in Chicago. Tickets are rapidly selling out, so click on BEST OF THE MIDWEST for the levels of tickets that are available.

CHICAGO – Actor/filmmaker Clare Cooney began her career in Chicago, and is returning to represent her debut as feature film director for “Departing Seniors,” a North American Premiere on Opening Night (October 11th, 2023) at the 59th Chicago International Film Festival (CIFF). For tickets and info, click SENIORS.

CHICAGO – If you’ve watched any cop procedurals on TV or otherwise, you’ve seen the recitation of the “Miranda Warning” (you have the right to remain silent, etc.), but what you may not have known is the incredible true story behind that recitation. Director Michelle Danner is the filmmaker behind “Miranda’s Victim.”

CHICAGO – It’s five times the fun for the fifth time. Filmmaker Jack C. Newell and Rebecca Fons of the Gene Siskel Film Center will conduct their 5th “Destroy Your Art” event. The idea is a filmmaker creates a film, shows it once to the audience, and then destroys it forever. This will take place this year at the historic Music Box Theatre on Tuesday, September 26th, 2023. For more information, including tickets, click DYA.

CHICAGO – When the term “A Star is Born” is used, behind that moment is hours of toil and stick-to-it-tiveness that actors and creators must go through. In that process is the Irish actor/writer and director Tania Notaro, who recently brought her short film “Glitterbug” to the Chicago Irish Film Festival.

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for “The Fabelmans,” an autobiographical film from America’s most famous modern movie director, Steven Spielberg, in theaters on November 23rd.

CHICAGO – Recently topping over its 100th episode, the popular “Media Path Podcast” continues its eclectic journey through the podscape and the two host’s curiosity. Focusing on pop/media culture for boomers and beyond, Fritz Coleman and Louise Palanker covers the show biz culture of the 1960s, ‘70s and other fancies of that era.

CHICAGO – The “Best of the Midwest,” the Awards Ceremony of Chicago’s Midwest Film Festival, were presented on November 3rd, 2022, at CineCity Studios in Chicago. The Grand Prize film was the short “Period Drama,” a clever twist on a woman’s coming of age. Emma Thatcher was a two-trophy BMA recipient, garnering Best Actress and Best Director for her debut feature “Provo.”

CHICAGO – Filmmaker Alex Thompson makes a triumphant return to the Chicago International Film Festival (CIFF) with his second feature, “Rounding,” screening on October 15th & 16th. CLICK ALEX T for info/tickets.

CHICAGO – A filmmaker’s feature debut is a special moment, made more special when the debut takes place in the filmmaker’s Chicagoland roots. Ms. Alex Heller screens “The Year Between” at the 58th Chicago International Film Festival (CIFF) on October 14th (8:30p) and 16th, 2022.