Michael Kutza

CHICAGO – The Chicago International Film Festival is a competitive fest, and the 53rd edition presented its awards on October 20th, 2017, at the AMC River East Theatre in Chicago. The winner of the Gold Hugo as Best Film was “A Sort of Family” (Argentina), directed by Diego Lerman.

CHICAGO – On August 22nd, 2017, the first slate of films were announced, and the official poster was revealed, for the upcoming 53rd Chicago International Film Festival. Festival Founder & CEO Michael Kutza unveiled the poster design, by artist Edwin Smeege, and Artistic Director Mimi Plauché gave the first sneak peek of films at the fest.

CHICAGO – It was show time for two-time Oscar winner Jane Fonda, as she accepted a Career Achievement Award from Cinema/Chicago at the Radisson Blue Aqua Hotel, and participated in a tribute night – moderated by Chicago Sun-Times Film Critic Richard Roeper – on Saturday, July 29th, 2017.

CHICAGO – Two time Oscar winner Jane Fonda will grace the Windy City, as she accepts a Career Achievement Award from Cinema/Chicago, and will participate in a tribute night on Saturday, July 29th, 2017. The event will take place at the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, and will feature an on-stage conversation with Fonda, moderated by Richard Roeper of the Chicago Sun-Times. The evening is sponsored by SAGE Private Wealth Group, and includes partners American Airlines, Sound Investment AV, Chloe Wine Collection and Wansas Tequila.

CHICAGO – Cinema/Chicago – the parent organization of the Chicago International Film Festival (CIFF) – announced today that Mimi Plauché will take over as Artistic Director for the festival, effective immediately. She assumes the position formerly head by Michael Kutza, the Founder of CIFF. Kutza will continue with the festival as President & CEO, overseeing operations, the branding of Cinema/Chicago, fundraising and the education programs.

CHICAGO – The 13th annual CineYouth Festival – presented by Cinema/Chicago – starts on Thursday, May 4th, 2017, at the Music Box Theatre in Chicago, kicking off a three day festival run. The opening night film is the animated “My Entire High School Sinking into the Sea,” a debut by director Dash Shaw, who will make an appearance on behalf of the film for the CineYouth Festival.

CHICAGO – It was an evening to honor the past, current and future brands in TV media at the 53rd Chicago International Television Awards Night on Thursday, March 23rd, 2017. TV advertising creator Joe Sedelmaier, WGN-TV Entertainment Reporter Dean Richards and Amazon Studios – represented by Development Executive Jill Arthur – were the individual honorees at the ceremony.

CHICAGO – One of the hottest new shows on HBO is “Crashing,” a quasi-autobiography of the star of the show, comedian Pete Holmes. Last week, at the Chicago International Television Festival, Holmes stopped by and presented the latest episode.

CHICAGO –The 53rd Chicago International Television Awards, a companion celebration to the Chicago International Television Festival – and presented by Cinema/Chicago, the organization who presents the Chicago International Film Festival – will take place Thursday, March 23rd, 2017, and will honor entertainment reporter Dean Richards, advertising guru Joe Sedelmeier and the newly-formed-but-already-influential Amazon Studios. The entire television festival will take place from March 21st to the 23rd at the AMC River East 21, and screenings are free and open to the public. Click here for a complete schedule and details.

CHICAGO – The recently completed 52nd Chicago International Film Festival offered a world perspective on cinema, and honors the films that will influence the arts culture for years to come. Their Awards Night was October 21st, 2016, and was hosted by Richard Roeper, film critic of the Chicago Sun Times. The recipient of the top prize of the fest, the Gold Hugo, was “Sieranevada” (Romania), directed by Cristi Puiu.