Pandemic

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.

CHICAGO – It’s a special day when a filmmaker has a world premieres of a new short work, and Ashton Swinford has picked The Midwest Film Festival (MFF) – on Wednesday, August 26th, 2020 – as the showcase for her directorial debut, “Red Flag.” The MMF is having their first event since the pandemic, and it will take place at Chicago’s new Drive-In on Throop Street, with the theme of Female Filmmaker

CHICAGO – It’s no mystery that author Lorraine Evanoff – who just released her second “Louise Moscow Novel,” entitled “Pinot Noir” – loves the genre of intrigue, for her life has mirrored the adventures of her fictional super spy character. Where Louise Moscow begins is where Lorraine Evanoff has been.

CHICAGO – Seemingly ripped from the headlines, by way of “Dr. Strangelove,” the new Netflix TV series “Space Force” debuted on May 29th, 2020. Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com reviewed the series during the Eddie Volkman Show (Star 96.7 FM in Joliet, Illinois) on June 5th, 2020.

CHICAGO – It was inevitable that the iconic cartoon character Scooby Doo would get the modern animation treatment, and the new film “Scoob!” opens May 15th, 2020 on VOD platforms. Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com, reviewed the film during the Eddie Volkman Show (Star 96.7 FM in Joliet, Illinois).