Chicago State University’s Award-Winning Films Set to Stream on TUBI

Two award-winning shorts produced by CSU CINEMA, the student film program in the Department of Communications, Media Arts & Theatre at Chicago State University, are set to stream on Tubi. Beginning February 1st, Tubi will feature Whole, co-directed by Ericka Henderson, Ryonn Gloster & Evelio Zavala and written and produced by Ryonn Gloster and Contentment, directed by Skyy Dade and written and produced by LaToya Johnson.

The opportunity to stream on Tubi came about this fall when Shannon Henderson, Director of the HBCU First Look Film Festival, formed a partnership with Tubi, encouraging the popular streaming platform to expand its portfolio of shorts by Black filmmakers.

Christine List, Executive Producer and faculty member in charge of CSU CINEMA shared, “CSU CINEMA produces films by CSU students via a unique series of courses in screenwriting, production, post production and distribution. Students shoot with the Arri Alexa 35, mix on a Sound Devices 833 and have access to CSU’s newly built movie sets in our production studio.” According to List, “CSU received 1.6 million dollars to equip the department’s film labs and facilities. This has allowed us to train students on the same equipment they’ll work with when they go out into the industry.”

CSU’s Department of Communications, Media Arts & Theatre is also one of the few film programs in Chicago to partner with Cinespace Studios. Once students complete the CSU CINEMA program, graduates are eligible to be recommended for the Cinecares paid internship program at Cinespace Studios.”

CSU CINEMA produces student shorts in a variety of genres. ‘Whole‘ is a thriller focusing on the impact of honor culture and female genital mutilation. Whole received the award for Best Student Film at the Collected Voices Film Festival and was an official selection of festivals around the globe receiving premieres in London, Harlem and Nairobi. Chicago-based Full-Spectrum Features chose Whole as part of its annual emerging filmmakers showcase at the Gene Siskel Film Center.

‘Contentment’ is a dramedy starring a mix of student and professional actors. The story humorously depicts a Black man’s search for purpose. The project was an official selection of the Silver Room Block Party Film Festival, the Berlin Indie Film Festival, the Kwanzaa Film Festival, the Orlando Urban Film Festival and the Chicago Southland Film Festival.

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