Joe Maggio

CHICAGO – The 2011 Best of the Midwest Awards were presented on Tuesday, December 6th at the Rockit Bar and Grill in downtown Chicago, an annual ceremony that celebrates Chicago’s Midwest Independent Film Festival. HollywoodChicago.com’s Patrick McDonald and Ignatiy Vishnevetsky, the co-host of “Ebert Presents: At the Movies,” were among the presenters.

CHICAGO – One of the nice surprises of the Chicago International Film Festival was the opening night presence of a true Chicago-based film. “The Last Rites of Joe May” stars Dennis Farina as an aging small-time hood, taken in by single mother Jenny Rapp, portrayed by Jamie Anne Allman. The production was directed with sublime power by Joe Maggio.

CHICAGO – The Chicago born-and-bred actor Dennis Farina has had many opportunities in his career to distinguish himself in a variety of roles, but never has he carried a film as well as his turn in the recent “The Last Rites of Joe May.” Farina imbues the title character with raw emotion, feral toughness and a touch of fear.

CHICAGO – The red carpet was put to good use on the opening night of the 2011 Chicago International Film Festival on October 6th. The 47th annual edition of the two week festival featured stars Dennis Farina, Gary Cole and Jamie Anne Allman walking the carpet before the showing of their film “The Last Rites of Joe May.”

CHICAGO- Earlier today, Cinema/Chicago announced that the 47th Chicago International Film Festival will premiere with the film “The Last Rites of Joe May.” The film stars longtime film and Chicago theater actor Dennis Farina.

CHICAGO – New York filmmaker Joe Maggio is fascinated by the pursuit of redemption, particularly in stories featuring characters who may not entirely be worthy of it. His 2001 debut feature “Virgil Bliss” followed a man fresh out of prison as he attempted to build a new life. Maggio’s 2008 drama “Paper Covers Rock” told the story of a suicidal mother who fights to maintain custody of her daughter.

CHICAGO – Most film fans don’t have the time, money, or connections to get to film festivals in their own city, much less ones that take place out of town. The festival circuit has created many an independent film hit but most of them don’t make their way to even Chicago much less the small towns of America. Now you can bring the film festival experience home with IFC Direct.