Film News

CHICAGO – What made the 1960s the petri dish for the counterculture had to do with many of that movement’s participants trying new things in the “underground.” When Sony released its first home video capability in 1968, many like-minded individuals – who wanted to use the technology to gather alternative news – set out to change the world. The result is a new documentary, “Here Comes the Videofreex.” The Gene Siskel Film Center in Chicago will offer a premiere screening and panel discussion on May 19th, 2016. For details, click here.

CHICAGO – Last night (Thursday, May 5th), the 2016 CineYouth Film Festival – which is associated with the Chicago International Film Festival and Cinema/Chicago – kicked off with “Nocturna,” a European animated film from the famed GKIDS distributor (“A Cat in Paris”). The 2016 festival runs through Saturday, May 7th, with a full schedule of film related youth activities on Friday and Saturday. For the full schedule, click here.

CHICAGO – The Asian Pop-Up Cinema Series, spotlighting a variety of diverse Asian films, continues its 2016 season with the film, “I Am a Monk,” directed by Yukinori Makabe. Makabe-san will make an appearance at the screening, beginning at 7:30pm on Wednesday, March 16th, 2016, at the AMC River East Theater in Chicago.

CHICAGO – It has been two weeks of films and culture for the 32nd Chicago Latino Film Festival, but all great things come to a conclusion. Thursday, April 21st, 2016, will be the final film gathering of the festival, at the Chicago History Museum, with a showing of “No Kids,” from Argentina.

CHICAGO – Hot off the PERFECT SCORE review for (click the title) The First Monday in May comes a fashion event at the historic Music Box Theatre in Chicago, on April 21st, 2016, It will be the first time the theatre will host a fashion show – in conjunction with a screening of the film – and it will be curated by Elle Val, an online Chicago boutique.

CHICAGO – The hottest two days of the 2016 CIMMfest – the Chicago International Music & Movies Festival – is of course on the last two weekend days. After conferring their Baadasssss Award to Documentarian Gordon Quinn of Kartemquin Films on Friday, April 15th, it’s time for the Saturday/Sunday blitz to begin.

CHICAGO – It’s Week Two of the 32nd Edition of the Chicago Latino Film Festival, and the films, programs and filmmakers are creating a big buzz over at the AMC River East 21 Theatre, where all the festival films are being shown. The huge variety of movies from Latino countries all over the world has brought in the film buffs and fans, making Chicago again the place to be for film.

CHICAGO – The aim of the LUNAFEST Short Film Festival is to promote awareness regarding women’s issues, to highlight women filmmakers and to bring together women in their communities. The Wilmette (Illinois) Theatre of Chicagoland is hosting the 15th Annual LUNAFEST on April 15th, 2016 (7pm), with a screening of the main traveling program of six short films, plus two more shorts by local women filmmakers, followed by a panel discussion moderated by film critic Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com.

CHICAGO – The 32nd edition of the Chicago Latino Film Festival Kicks Off on Friday, April 8, 2016, with the Mexican film “Illusions S.A.” (“Illusiones S.A.”). All films are at the AMC River East 21 in Chicago.

CHICAGO – One of the big hits on Netflix is the updating of the Gen-X classic sitcom, “Full House,” naturally entitled “Fuller House.” Taking on the role of Stephanie Tanner in both incarnations is Jodie Sweetin, who has just started a stint as a fan favorite on the 22nd season of “Dancing With the Stars.”