Pandemic

CHICAGO – When we last checked in with actor and filmmaker Ashton Swinford, she had just completed her hilarious web series ”Miss Information”. She is back with a new short film, equally funny, in the white privilege satire “Basic Witches.”

CHICAGO – Although this former Chicago-based actor has moved on to Los Angeles, she continues as a filmmaker with her excellent second short, “Pick Up.” Clare Cooney wrote, directed and is featured in this poignant journey, as two ex-lovers figure out their current status in the midst of the world pandemic.

CHICAGO – A cinema treasure, the Gene Siskel Film Center, reopens in-theater screenings on Friday, August 6th, 2021, the first since the pandemic closure in March of 2020. During the closure, they also named a new Director of Programming, Rebecca Fons.

CHICAGO – It’s time again for live theater in Chicago, and The Factory Theater – in anticipation of their 2021-22 Season – is launching “Quiet Please! It’s A Silent Auction,” an online silent auction through the month of August (the 1st-31st). An amazing array of goods and services are available for bidding, and can be accessed by clicking here.

CHICAGO – Local filmmaker Michael Glover Smith broke through the after-the-pandemic ceiling with his recently completed fourth feature film, “Relative.” The ten day production, shot primarily in Chicago’s Rogers Park neighborhood, follows the adventures of a family negotiating the youngest son’s graduation gathering.

CHICAGO – The Asian Pop-Up Cinema (APUC) of Chicago wishes everyone a HAPPY CHINESE LUNAR NEW YEAR … the Year of the Ox. To celebrate the day, how about a FREE Chinese Film Series, and an interview via Zoom with the President of APUC, Colin Hara. Mr. Hara has been part of the Governing Board of the cinema series since 2018, and is in his third year as president.

CHICAGO – One of Chicago’s most traditional film festivals will be doing what so many others have done in 2020, going virtual and online. The 36th Chicago Latino Film Festival (CLFF) will take place September 18th-27th. For a full schedule, click here. Founder and Executive Director Pepe Vargas talked to HollywoodChicago.com about the fest.

CHICAGO – How does a film festival still go on while the pandemic continues? Sophia Wong Boccio, the Founder and Curator of Chicago’s Asian Pop-Up Cinema (APUC), has found a way … have Opening Night (and other dates) at the Drive In.

CHICAGO – At the point HollywoodChicago.com last talked to author Lorraine Evanoff, it was during the summer reading season, during the time her latest novel “Pinot Noir” – the second novel featuring financial sleuth Louise Moscow – was winning awards and appearing on best seller lists.

CHICAGO – When the world stopped in March during the pandemic quarantine, there was an online kids-and-play concept invented by two sisters that really took off. “Paper People Play” is a deceptively simple website that evolves the paper doll form, bringing it to 21st Century children. Kristin and Brooke Broadwell were the co-creators, and the story of the concept is fascinating.