FILMMAKER FOCUS
Chicago Underground Film Festival Announces Move to the Music Box Theatre, Honors 2026 Award Winners
The Chicago Underground Film Festival has announced the award winners from its 33rd edition, which concluded Sunday following five days of independent, experimental and underground cinema. CUFF33 was the festival’s…
The Northwest Illinois Region is celebrating a major professional achievement as Gary Camarano, Economic Development Director for Whiteside County and Executive Director of the Northwest Illinois Film Office, has been…
What makes people care about your film? For George Ellzey (pictured left), it’s giving them something to talk about. His films start conversations and provoke an examination of the human…
On Sept. 13, 2001, British filmmaker John Smith presented the first program of Conversations at the Edge just two days after the September 11 attacks. This fall, Smith returns to…
Media Burn is hosting a free and open to the public screening every third Thursday, beginning August 20 from 5pm-7pm. RSVP via the organization’s Eventbrite. As champions of vintage video,…
The Chicago Underground Film Festival (CUFF) announces the lineup for its 33rd edition, which runs September 23–27 at the Gene Siskel Film Center and the Harper Theater. The program presents…
Chicago Screenwriter and ISA Fast Track Fellow Melissa Birks Unveils New Feature Film in Development
In this exclusive interview, SCREEN sits down with Melissa Birks, the Chicago screenwriter behind a gripping new thriller that reexamines a legendary historical tragedy. The narrative follows Catherine O’Leary as…
Dances With Films: LA, the independent-focused film festival, has wrapped its 29th edition with the presentation of awards. Bandit, directed by Brian L. “BLT” Tan, won the Grand Jury Prize for…
Hekla, the acclaimed fifth feature by Chicago filmmaker Michael Glover Smith (Mercury in Retrograde), had its Los Angeles Premiere at a packed screening at the famed TCL Chinese Theaters on…
For screenwriter, director, and actor Benjamin Font, storytelling is an act of filling the void. Growing up in Lincoln, Nebraska – dead center of the continental United States – the…
A Chicago indie is celebrating a prestigious win in Florida, as director Michael Glover Smith announces premieres in Los Angeles and New York City this month. Smith’s fifth feature film, the acclaimed…
The Northwest Illinois Film Office just wrapped the Sixth Annual Northwest Illinois Film Festival: Shorts-A-Palooza 2026 at Morrison Tech, welcoming community members for an evening celebrating independent filmmaking from Northwest…
A deeply personal, unflinching look at mental health, homelessness, and the enduring bonds of family is at the heart of Cat’s Tail, a narrative short film currently in pre-production. Fiscally…
Michael Glover Smith’s ‘Hekla’ Packs the Music Box for Chicago Premiere, Sets Facets Encore for June
Riding a wave of publicity rare for a microbudget independent film, Michael Glover Smith’s fifth feature, Hekla, took the historic Music Box Theatre by storm for its Chicago Premiere. Cast,…
There is everything and nothing unusual about the life of Hekla Gudmunsdottir (Elizabeth Stam). The main character in Michael Glover Smith’s newest film, Hekla, she is an actor looking for a…
Houston has emerged as one of the nation’s most competitive production hubs following the launch of a landmark local incentive. By stacking a 31% state grant with a new 10%…
In celebration of Earth Day, Governor JB Pritzker today announced the launch of the first-in-the-nation incentive to promote environmentally sustainable film and television production. Under the expanded program, productions recognized…
DePaul University’s School of Cinematic Arts will host its Second Annual AI in Film Education Conference on Saturday, April 25, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the DePaul…
The documentary, Why Trump: Two Americas, will screen at Columbia College’s Furgeson Theater at 4 pm on April 28. A post-show discussion with writer / director Brian Schodorf, moderated by showrunner…
Imagine coming home one day and there’s a garden shed in your backyard that wasn’t there before. Imagine it’s locked and you can’t get into it. Imagine your partner won’t…
2026 is shaping up to be a banner year for Chicago filmmaker and author Michael Glover Smith. His latest feature film, HEKLA, began its festival run last month and has already…
‘Loafers’, a feature film hailed by Film Threat as marking “a generational shift in the depiction of 20-something[s]”, will hold its hometown premiere at the Chicago Critics Film Festival on…
Elizabeth Stam has won the “Big Damn Deal” award at the Covellite International Film Festival in Butte, Montana, for her lead performance in Michael Glover Smith’s Chicago indie feature HEKLA. This…
Commercial Directing Film School is proud to announce the 5th Annual Filmmaker Retreat Joshua Tree, taking place October 1st – October 4th, 2026. Reaching this five-year milestone, the retreat remains…
Governor JB Pritzker, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), and Illinois film industry leaders have announced that film production expenditures in Illinois reached a record-breaking high of $703…
Chicago Filmmakers, the presenting organization of the Onion City Experimental Film Festival, is pleased to announce a dynamic lineup of eight competition screenings and five special event programs for its…
Milwaukee Film’s programming team is thrilled to reveal a first set of selections for the 2026 Milwaukee Film Festival (MFF26), presented by Associated Bank, which runs April 16-30. The 2026…
Chicago’s Elizabeth Stam, who not only starred in but co-wrote and co-produced Michael Glover Smith’s fifth feature, Hekla, has won the “Festival Spirit Award” at the 29th annual George Lindsey…
Milwaukee Film and Bridge33 Capital today announced the sale of the historic Downer Theatre to Milwaukee Film. The transaction marks the preservation of one of Milwaukee’s most cherished cultural landmarks…
While gearing up for the 2026 Milwaukee Film Festival to start on April 16, Milwaukee Film has a great selection of programming and events to keep audiences entertained throughout March….
Winter Hymns, written and directed by Nathan Deming and produced by Tim Schwagel and Zach Staads, will make its World Premiere at the 2026 Wisconsin Film Festival in Madison, Wisconsin….
Screenwriter Eric Anderson’s WWII horror script ‘Wolves’ has been named to the 2026 Grey List, marking his fourth consecutive year with a project recognized on the curated industry list (Oriole…
Michael Glover Smith‘s fifth feature film, HEKLA, which was shot in Chicago late last summer and produced by Sweet Void Cinema, will have its world premiere at the 29th annual…
The Patrick Lives On Film Festival is a yearly Renaissance for Chicago’s creative community. Attracting celebrities and professionals, students and artists, it heralds springtime with an abundance of food, drink,…
As the film industry navigates slower box office returns and declining production volume, Giggster has released a comprehensive ranking of all 50 U.S. states for filmmakers, revealing significant disparities in…
The Sundance Film Festival is back for one final run in Park City before heading to Boulder, Colorado in 2027. If you are making the trek to Park City this…
Director Nathan Deming has shared an exclusive behind the scenes look into the creation of Winter Hymns with a series of stills from the shoot. As announced in August of 2025, Tara…
Sundance Institute announced the lineup for the 2026 Sundance Film Festival’s annual Beyond Film talks and events, a series featuring artist conversations and experts from various fields being held Friday, January 23–Friday, January…
Now playing in select theaters and On Demand ‘Bulls’ is an independent film distributed by Vertical Entertainment that blends regional storytelling with themes and cultural currents resonating well beyond the Midwest. The…
Let’s start off the new year with some superb suspense. The New York Times has named this film one of “Five Horror Movies to Watch Now.” Starring Jennifer Harlow, Mark…
Milwaukee Film is ringing in the new year with a wide array of events and screenings this January at the historic Oriental Theatre. From brand new 4k restorations of Todd…
‘Loafers’, a modern take on the mumblecore classics of the mid 200s, will hold its world premiere as an official selection of Dances with Films New York, an indie bi-coastal…
CynCity Productions, the Chicago-based production company rooted in creative ownership, equity, and artist development, proudly announces the completion of principal photography on its highly anticipated independent comedy-drama series, ‘Messy Lola’. The…
For the fourth year, the Gene Siskel Film Center of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago is excited to welcome back “Settle In”, its popular series of “marathon”…
The Illinois Production Alliance (IPA) today announced that Governor JB Pritzker has signed SB 1911, a significant expansion and enhancement of the Illinois Film Production Tax Credit. The bill, part of a broader economic development…
The Chicago Film Critics Association (CFCA) today announces their 2025 award winners. Earning a record nine awards, Paul Thomas Anderson’s ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER was named Best Film, also earning Best Director,Best Supporting Actor (Benicio del…
Two holiday rom-coms filmed in the Chicago area are now available to stream for free on most major platforms. After premiering exclusively on Hulu as Top 15 new releases, the family-friendly…
The holiday romance movie Exes of Christmas Past was released this week on major streaming platforms like Tubi, The Roku Channel, and Pluto TV, where it can be viewed for…
After a wildly successful run on the festival circuit, the award-winning short film Maggie’s Not Okay will debut on the prestigious YouTube channel Omeleto to its 4 million subscribers on…
‘Local Area Network’, a new independent feature from Chicago filmmaker Glenn Garrabrant (‘Visiting Friends’), will make its world premiere at The Lake Street Screening Room on Saturday, December 13 at 7:00 PM, followed by an audience Q&A with…
Director Clint Bentley swung for the fence when he made Train Dreams, premiering November 21 on Netflix. Adapting a beloved novella, relying heavily on narration, spanning generations and casting an Aussie…
The separate camps inhabiting Brian Schodorf’s new documentary, Why Trump? Two Americas, are easy to recognize. One believes that racism harms the country. The other denies it exists at all. A…
Sonny Kruger’s Chicago-based web series “A Series About A Series” premiered its final episode and went out in style. What started out as a story written by one man has…
What do Tom Petty, Catwoman, and the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills have in common? They’re all right here as St. Louis Film Commissioner Kelley Hiatt stops by for a…
It’s no secret that Ethan Hawke is getting tons of attention for his performance in Blue Moon. The four-time Oscar nominee could be getting his fifth nom when the academy…
Director Gus Van Sant has created a mind-blowingly immense scope of films over his career. From Drugstore Cowboy and My Own Private Idaho to Good Will Hunting, Milk and dozens of others, he is one of the…
Spike Lee is one of the coolest people on earth. Besides winning the 2018 Oscar for BlacKkKlansman and a ton of other awards for a ton of other film, he…
After wrapping the film, Train Dreams, Joel Edgerton remembers hoping that he had “done enough of the right thing” to make his character worthwhile. After telling that to Screen Magazine on the red…
According to Wikipedia, the 2025 film Bugonia is an absurdist black comedy directed by Yorgos Lanthimos. An English-language remake of Korean director Jang Joon-hwan’s Save the Green Planet!, it follows two young men…
For years, filmmaker Bob Teitel could not stop thinking about what happened to Chicago’s 2014 Jackie Robinson West little league baseball team. “They weren’t able to really tell their story,”…
The subtitle of the original Frankenstein by Mary Shelley is The Modern Prometheus. In Ancient Greece, Prometheus is credited with the creation of humanity from clay. While I was watching Guillermo Del Toro’s…
“Lions and tigers and bears, oh my” except “Toto, we’re not in Kansas anymore”… we’re in Ukraine. That’s where Checkpoint Zoo, a documentary that follows the bold, brave rescue mission of 4,700 animals…
The breakout proof of concept short film GOOD GIRLS GET FED is slated for a special screening to open up an industry showcase hosted by RISE FLIX and North Hollywood…
A Film Over 30 Years in the Making… ‘Her Life Choice’ from Emmy Winner Toni Crey Now on Amazon Prime
A passion project that began more than 30 years ago is now out on digital, emerging at a critical cultural moment, as the national discourse on reproductive rights has once…
Production on Michael Glover Smith’s fifth feature film, HEKLA, wrapped last week after a two-week shoot that took place entirely on location in Chicago. The film, described by Smith (RELATIVE,…
Yes chef! And no, we are not talking about The Bear. There is a new restaurant-centered comedy filming in the Chicagoland area this month. Line Cooks is a coming-of-age mockumentary comedy…
Filmscape Chicago, the Midwest’s premier education event for film and television production, has announced its full slate of classes for the 2025 show, taking place June 21–22 at CineCity Studios…
Filmmaker Dalila Droege has a very unique horror short ramping up for production, and today is the day for you to help her push the film out of the gate….
It’s often said that the only constant in life is change, and short film Places of Worship stands as a testament to this in more ways than one. Brought to…
Big things are happening over at Chicago-based Journeywork Entertainment, owned and operated by post-production power couple C. Ryan Stemple and Ana Christian. Building on years of professional experience in a…
!['The Calling' World Premiere Set for Dances With Films on June 21 [Trailer First Look]](https://screenmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/the-calling-poster-200x300.jpg)
“The Calling,” the highly anticipated home-invasion thriller from director Mark Wilson will make its World Premiere at the 28th Dances With Films festival at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood…
Chasers made history earlier this year as the first narrative project to screen at both Sundance Film Festival and Slamdance. This ambitious 30-minute one-shot pilot was made possible through incredible…
When Producer Angie Gaffney and Writer/Director Jack C. Newell set out on their first collaboration, MONUMENTS, they set out to make a big movie for big screens. The film was…
![Michael Glover Smith Sets Fifth Feature Film 'Hekla' for August, Announces Cast and Crew [Exclusive]](https://screenmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/MichaelGloverSmith-1-200x300.jpeg)
Michael Glover Smith Sets Fifth Feature Film ‘Hekla’ for August, Announces Cast and Crew [Exclusive]
Award-winning Chicago writer/director Michael Glover Smith (Relative, Mercury in Retrograde) will begin principal photography on his fifth feature film, Hekla, in August, and his full cast and crew are set…
A short film with a mission, Tales of Harsh Gruder tells the story of an old friend from out of town who stops by his childhood pal’s place to reconnect…
Chicago-made thriller ROOM SIX debuts across the country tonight, wrapping up an auspicious festival run for first-time filmmakers Hobart Miller and Michael Panico. The suspenseful psychological horror-thriller nabbed Best Chicago…
Freestyle Digital Media, the digital film distribution division of Byron Allen’s Allen Media Group, proudly announces the acquisition of VOD rights to the psychological horror/thriller ROOM SIX, which will be…
Writer-director Larry Ziegelman’s latest short film, Grave Expectations, recently had its world premiere at the Idyllwild International Film Festival, where it won the Indie Spirit Award. The film is fresh off its…
Sundance will have a new home in 2027, and it will be Boulder, Colorado. The festival declared today, “We’re on the move in 2027. We’re thrilled to finally reveal that…
Filmmaker Johnny Lange is hosting a trip for those who attend his debut feature, Split Personalities Alternate Dimensions, on April 1 at Facets. Besides arranging therapy for viewers who require emotional…
The Patrick Lives On showcase and fundraiser is a multifunctional tradition of Chicago film. A cinematic presentation, a networking event and a celebration of food and drink, the annual testament…
The Northwest Illinois Film Festival’s Shorts-a-Palooza showcase will enjoy its fifth annual run on Wednesday, April 9. Hosted by the Northwest Illinois Film Office, the event showcases a stunning variety…
Writer-director Aaron Wertheimer is bringing his latest feature, Not If I See You First, to the big screen for its world premiere at the Music Box Theatre in Chicago on Wednesday,…
Chicago-based screenwriter Eric Anderson celebrates his third consecutive honor from The Grey List with The Lot, a campy, action-packed horror-comedy that puts an ancient Mayan bat-god front and center in a delightfully twisted small-town invasion. The Grey…
The Chicago-made documentary, Channels Changers, will make its television premiere on WTTW on February 20th. Chronicling the rise of Black advertising professionals, the film celebrates the creative pioneers who bucked a tradition…
A standing-room-only crowd of filmmakers celebrated Kartemquin Films’ housewarming event at the Kimball Arts center on February 6. Representing a motherlode of documentarian prowess, they dialed up the camaraderie with…
The Missouri Film Office and the Business Opportunities Division of the Missouri Department of Economic Development today announced that the Motion Media Production Tax Credit program authorized nearly $12.4 million…
![Packed House for 15th Annual Monday on Main Street During Sundance [Exclusive Photos]](https://screenmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/20250127_131857-200x300.jpeg)
The Sundance Film Festival descended upon Park City, Utah, and, of course, that means Monday on Main Street was right in the middle of it all. SCREEN was honored to…
Freestyle Digital Media, the digital film distribution division of Byron Allen’s Allen Media Group, proudly announces the acquisition of North American VOD rights to the small town drama feature film SINGLE CAR…
Cottage Grove, a short film written and directed by George Ellzey, Jr. and starring Sean Blake and Patrick Agada, is screening at the historic Music Box Theater as part of…
Chicago-based Emmy-nominated nonprofit streaming platform and media incubator Open Television (OTV) proudly announces the launch of OTV ATLAS, an artist-driven initiative designed to provide critical resources and support to intersectional…
Today the 2025 Sundance Film Festival awards were presented at a ceremony for the jury and audience award–winning films at The Ray Theatre in Park City, where independent storytelling was…
As FACETS celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2025, the iconic Chicago nonprofit art house cinema is unveiling exciting changes, including a new name, a fresh slate of programming and ambitious plans for…
Vince Lawrence started opening a lot of doors in 1984. That was the year when the self-described “nerdy Black kid” and his friend Jesse Saunders hunkered down in a Chicago bedroom…
After more than ten years at Instituto Cervantes, the International Latino Cultural Center’s (ILCC) monthly Reel Film Club series moves to Facets, 1517 West Fullerton Avenue, the original home of…
The Patrick Lives On Film Showcase is coming up in early 2025 and there is still time for you to submit your film to be considered for the showcase. The…
As firefighters battle to tame the wildfires that have devastated the Altadena and Pacific Palisades neighborhoods of Los Angeles, now may be the time to experience Hotshot. Before reading further,…
The Sundance Film Festival is back in-person and kicks off next week. If you are making the trek to Park City this month, here is a soiree for you to…
Filmmakers Antonio Piazza and Fabio Grassadonia mined historical records and their own life experiences to co-write and co-direct Sicilian Letters, a true story about the capture of the last remaining mafia…
2024 has been an exciting year for Michael Glover Smith, and 2025 is shaping up to be his busiest yet. The latest film from the Chicago filmmaker – the eight-minute…
On Thursday, Kansas City’s City Council approved amendments to the KC Film Development Program proposed by the Kansas City Film Office. Eligible productions can now receive an up to 12% cash…
The Patrick Lives On Film Showcase is coming up in early 2025 and there is still time for you to submit your film to be considered for the showcase. This…
“Love and loss are universal.” This declaration by O’Connor Casting’s Virginia Anello is at the heart of the SXSW and Fantasia hit, Adrianne & The Castle. Virginia stopped by SCREEN…
The red carpet premiere is here for Illinois indie production team Never Submit Entertainment’s latest feature film Hyde Out. The thriller will take to the big screen on Saturday, December 7…
Short film Fire F*cking Fire has been enjoying a lovely run on the festival circuit beginning with a New York premiere at Tribeca Film Festival, and a Best Short Film…
It’s amazing to think just how many options we have for watching stuff with our families these days. It’s hard to believe that at one point in our history, the…
Freestyle Digital Media, the digital film distribution division of Byron Allen’s Allen Media Group, proudly announces the acquisition of North American VOD rights to the small town drama feature film SINGLE CAR…
The family-friendly holiday romance movie Christmas on the Ranch will premiere exclusively on Hulu November 1, 2024. The heartwarming film follows a talk show relationship expert with her own romantic hang-ups…
The nonprofit Sundance Institute announced today the storytellers selected for the 2024 Latine Fellowship and Collab Scholarship. Now in its third year, the program aims to expand Latine representation in independent media…
Two festivals. Four awards. The Chicago-made indie feature Room Six has brought home awards on back-to-back weekends. The film just won the Best Chicago Horror Feature and Best Lead Actor…
Why Trump?, the 2024 presidential documentary from Chicago-based filmmaker Brian Schodorf, is now streaming on Tubi. To answer the question posed in the title, Schodorf journeyed deep into the heartland…
Room Six, the gritty indie thriller from first-time filmmakers Hobart Miller and Michael Panico, will be the closing night feature for the 15th Annual Grand Rapids Film Festival on Sunday,…
A Chicago-made short film is toasting a wrap on principal photography as it heads into post production. My Last Martini is a short film written for the screen and directed…
The World Premiere is here for an impactful Chicago-made short film. The strength of sisterhood is at the heart of director Alyssa Thordarson’s Chronic. The film will debut at the…
Chicago native Jeremy Piven brought Ari Gold to our television screens in Entourage, among other notable characters. Now, he’s taken on what he calls “the performance of his life” for…
The date is set. The filmed-in-Chicago indie Let’s Start a Cult will debut in theaters on October 25th. The filmmaking team has released its official poster. Here’s a look at…
Metro Chicago will be rockin’ this Thursday, August 15th… in more ways than one. Both stage and screen will be on full blast as Metro will be hosting a Premiere…
The wins keep coming for a hilarious horror short out of Chicago. Daily Planet Productions is thrilled to announce that their latest short film, “Room Tone,” has clinched two prestigious…
Filmmaker Kelly Rundle took a risk to help make the world a better place. During a new interview with Screen, the director explains how the Mississippi mud forced him into an…
Award-Winning Director Brian Schodorf Unveils A Riveting Exposé The Presidential debate and subsequent days have shown that political divide remains a hot topic. Simmering next, before more debates and conventions,…
Award winning director Brian Schodorf journeyed deep into Republican terrain to complete his newest documentary, Why Trump?, the first of a four-part series premiering on July 11. “Back in 2020, I had…
![Record Turnout for Filmscape Chicago [Photo Gallery]](https://screenmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/DSCF0684-200x300.jpeg)
A record-breaking crowd of film, television and advertising professionals descended upon CineCity Studios for Filmscape Chicago this past weekend. More than 1,000 attendees – a 40% increase from last year’s…
Mark your calendars, Chicago! The Premiere is a new comedy-drama film by Chicago filmmaker Jon Silver. The feature is now in the final stretch of post-production and will have its…
Your plans for this weekend are set: Filmscape Chicago is here. You can join film, television and advertising professionals June 22-23 at CineCity Studios all weekend for packed days of…
Chicago has lost one of the cornerstones of its film and television production community. Jacqueline “JJ” Ingram passed away this month, and her fellow filmmakers and collaborators are remembering her…
The Premiere is a new comedy-drama film by Chicago filmmaker Jon Silver. The feature is now in the final stretch of post-production after wrapping production throughout The Windy City this…
The theatrical premiere is here for a critically acclaimed Chicago-made indie. GHOSTLIGHT, co-directed by Chicagoans Alex Thompson and Kelly O’Sullivan, and written by O’Sullivan, and starring Chicago family of actors Keith Kupferer, Tara Mallen, and Katherine…
STAR VEHICLE, directed by Tiffany Yvonne Cox, and featuring an all-star cast of actors with deep Chicago roots, is finally available to the public. The film was recently released on…
The 60th edition of the Chicago International Film Festival will arrive in this October, but first, the storied institution will present its annual gala, with very special guests taking center…
A critically acclaimed festival darling is now ready to view in your living room. This week, Music Box Films digitally released Michael Glover Smith’s fourth feature-length movie, the Chicago-made RELATIVE,…
Black Cinema Collective (BCC), a cinema programs organization based in Seattle that centers local and global works by African and Afro-Diasporic filmmakers has launched a national call for their second microgrant…
Production has officially wrapped on How’d It Go, a new short film directed by Elizabeth Laidlaw (pictured left) of CBS’s The Red Line and written by award-winning playwright and filmmaker…
Michael Glover Smith’s fourth feature film, the critically acclaimed RELATIVE, will return to the Music Box Theatre in Chicago for an encore screening on Wednesday, May 15, ahead of its digital…
The Chicago Film Critics Association (CFCA), the Chicago-area print, online and broadcast critics group that celebrates the art of film and film criticism, today announces the Rotten Tomatoes Audience Award winners…
Jeremy Piven’s Chicago roots run deep and like any true Chicago-area native, this includes his sports fandom. It’s no secret he’s an avid Bears fan and by now we are…
Every great film begins with a superb screenplay, and Chicago writer Eric Anderson’s latest is earning accolades. Anderson’s horror thriller June was recently honored by The Grey List, a curated…
Production has wrapped in Chicago on the new short film Chronic, directed by Alyssa Thordarson and written by Lydia Ellis Curry. The film follows Ruth, whose sister and best friend,…
Filmmaker and screenwriter Ava Duvernay once stated, “In documentaries, there’s a truth that unfolds unnaturally, and you get to chronicle it.” Through its Introduction to Documentary Filmmaking, a six-week intensive class from April 3rd – May…
HANDLE WITH CARE, a new short film written and directed by Michael Glover Smith (MERCURY IN RETROGRADE), has won the George Lindsey UNA Film Festival‘s “Best of Show” award, its…
There is one weekend you can confidently ink into your 2024 calendar. Filmscape Chicago is set for June 21-23 at CineCity Studios, and registration is now open. Co-Founder Colette Gabriel…
![Inspiring and Impactful Night at Patrick Lives On Fundraiser [Exclusive Photos]](https://screenmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/IMG_1876-200x300.jpg)
It was an inspiring and impactful night in Chicago this past weekend. More than a dozen films led the 7th Annual Patrick Lives On Film Showcase and Fundraiser at Resolution…
The Chicago-made drama Long Division is now available for your viewing pleasure on Tubi. On the heels of this exciting premiere, Screenwriter and Executive Producer Ken Hoyd (pictured here with…
The worldwide digital premiere is here for Chicago’s latest festival darling. Freestyle Digital Media, the digital film distribution division of Byron Allen’s Allen Media Group, has acquired North American VOD…
Creative Cypher continues to break barriers in Black film as it releases its first animation project, Captain Zero. Captain Zero is one of nine projects already in various stages of production for…
Chicago filmmaker and screenwriter Curtis Matzke’s screenplays have led to award-winning and compelling work on the big screen, namely his films Sink and The Orchestra. Matzke’s next screenplay will be…
It’s been a thrilling month for director Clare Cooney and her team behind the horror feature Departing Seniors. On the heels of a prolific festival run with stops at the…
The theatrical and worldwide premieres are here for the horror thriller Departing Seniors. On the heels of a prolific festival run with stops at the Chicago International Film Festival and…
2024 has launched with a prestigious world premiere from a promising Chicago directing duo. Kelly O’Sullivan and Alex Thompson made a splash on the national indie film scene when their…
More than a dozen films will screen during the 7th Annual Patrick Lives On Film Showcase and Fundraiser at Resolution Studios on Saturday, February 24, 2024. Created by seasoned vets…
HANDLE WITH CARE, a new short film written and directed by Michael Glover Smith (RELATIVE) and starring Alyssa Thordarson (AFTER: A LOVE STORY) and Mickey O’Sullivan (CHICAGO PD), will have…
The Sundance Film Festival is back in-person and kicks off this week. If you are making the trek to Park City this month, here is a soiree for you to…
Eriq La Salle is well known for his thrilling work as a Golden Globe and Emmy-nominated actor, but it’s now his excellence as an author that is turning heads across…
The 7th Annual Patrick Lives On Film Showcase sponsored by Resolution Studios and Cinespace Studios takes place at Resolution Studios on Saturday, February 24, 2024. And there is still time…
2024 is here, and Elevated Films is opening the year with some thrilling and entertaining cinema. And even better… it’s free. Elevated Films Chicago plans to host screening events year-round…
2024 will launch with a prestigious world premiere from a promising Chicago directing duo. Kelly O’Sullivan and Alex Thompson made a splash on the national indie film scene when their…
Fitting Descriptions, a short film co-directed by Tiffany Bedwell and John Mossman, launched its festival run with a west coast world premiere on December 7th, the final day of the…
Everybody is working for the weekend. In this case, a talented collective teamed up in Detroit to bring the latest hit from pop quartet Big Time Rush entitled Weekends –…
Get ready to kick off an unforgettable cinematic experience as Sean Fahey’s For Kicks makes its grand entrance at the 11th Urban Action Film Festival in the heart of NYC!…
The Midwest Film Festival hosted an unforgettable evening celebrating the remarkable talent of Midwest filmmakers at the 2023 Best of the Midwest Awards (BMAs) last night, on Tuesday, November 2nd….
Chicago Filmmaker Zanah Thirus (pictured top left), recognized as one of Diversity in Cannes’ Top Ten Filmmakers of the Decade, is set to challenge societal norms and tickle funny bones…
As we bid a fond farewell to Halloween, let’s take a look at a new horror comedy series. Tom, Dick & Harry Creative Co. (TDH) released 350 W. Eerie, an original four-episode…
The 59th Chicago International Film Festival has announced THE PUNK SHOW IN CHICAGO as the winner of The Pitch at the 9th edition of Industry Days. Written and directed by Erika Valenciana, produced by Anuradha Rana, and…
The Independent Film Alliance (IFA) Chicago has named Wesley Julian its new executive director as it works to fulfill its mission to build and support Chicago’s independent film industry. Julian…
The uplifting, family-friendly holiday movie Reporting for Christmas will premiere on Hulu November 1, where it will be streaming exclusively this holiday season. The film will also be available to …
Sound Designer Mark Ruff helped Director Michael Gabriele transform one of the least noticeable yet most important filmmaking tasks into a short titled, Room Tone, that will screen at the Facets’ Chicago…
Chicago activist and entrepreneur Willie ‘JR’ Fleming attended the Chicago International Film Festival’s Opening Night Block Party with his sister Marlene Mcintosh on Wednesday October 11. Intending to see Minhal…
The theatrical premiere is here for a Chicago-made grand jury prize winner. Waiting for the Light to Change opens at the Gene Siskel Film Center this weekend through September 28th,…
In a groundbreaking cinematic endeavor, the gripping documentary Hotshot unveils the harrowing reality of Hotshot firefighters, the unsung heroes who combat wildfires without water. With the current fires in Hawaii…
If you ever picked up a comic in the 80’s, you are in for a treat, courtesy of one overachieving Marvel Comics aficionado. Chicago filmmaker Harry Bauer has been perfecting…
The Chicago- and Midwest-made thriller Silent As the Grave has just made its worldwide digital release, and the writer and co-director Brad Podowski is here to tell us all about…
The Chicago Film Critics Association (CFCA), the Chicago-area print, online and broadcast critics group that celebrates the art of film and film criticism, released their roster for 2023-2024 today, announcing…
Would you create a film if you knew it would only be seen once, and then immediately destroyed, never to be seen again? Four Chicago filmmakers are saying yes to…
Filmmaker Sean Fahey details the life of action star Eugene Thomas in For Kicks, a feature-length documentary premiering at the Chicago Underground Film Festival on September 17. Besides telling the story of an actor who…
Cinema is often at its strongest when we find ourselves inspired by individuals displaying extraordinary courage and conviction. Such is the case with Chicago filmmaker Brent Huffman’s latest documentary feature…
A fresh new comedy will be heading to your local theatres and film festivals in the new year. The microbudget comedy feature film Not If I See You First wrapped…
Mezcla Media Collective announced that Co-Founder Colette Ghunim is among the first cohort of 100 emerging changemakers selected to participate in the Obama Foundation’s Leaders USA program. The Obama Leaders…
A half-dozen shorts will screen continuously at the Cultural Center during DisFest, a free and accessible celebration of artists and performers with disabilities, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday,…
We could use a little more comedy these days. Good news: There is a microbudget comedy feature film ready to begin production later this month in the near North Chicago…
Shawn Papazian has built an impressive record of success in the film business throughout his career, including an Emmy nomination and collaborations with Leonardo DiCaprio’s Appian Way Productions. Now, he…
It’s a historic week for Chicago motion picture studio Bad Little Thing, Inc. Their debut feature film, the dramatic comedy The Crusades, will be released on VOD and Digital this Friday,…
A select group of indy filmmakers will showcase their work during Meet The Makers, an event hosted by Chicago’s Sinema Obscura at The Logan Theatre Lounge from 7-10 pm on…
We’ve all had dating woes. Some of us have had marriage woes. And almost all of us have taken pleasure at some point in the titillating TV turbulence that is…
When Hulu’s The Bear dropped last summer, it took the internet and the Chicago food scene by storm. Filmscape Chicago is the largest film and television expo in the Midwest…
Terrence Howard is best known among Chicago TV fans for his tenure as “Lucius Lyon” in the popular Fox series Empire, which filmed primarily in the Windy City. Born in…
The award-winning, Midwestern-based short film, A Cloudy Moon, screened at the Cannes Short Film Corner in May. An ode to cozy flirtations, wistful recollections and spontaneous song, the six-and-a-half-minute mini-musical captures…
Charles Jenkins’ music video for “God Be Praised” is an awe-inspiring visual spectacle that seamlessly intertwines the power of music, breathtaking cinematography, and the poignant beauty of a historical setting….
Fans are buzzing about the season finale, and the dynamic duo behind the show is here to talk all about it. The critically acclaimed HBO Original comedy series Somebody Somewhere,…
Daryl Sledge is bringing his next project back home. The Chicago native and Brooklyn resident is currently in pre-production on the feature film Why?. Why? is the award-winning debut novel…
The Telly Awards, the world’s largest honor for video and television across all screens, has announced its 44th annual winners after a record-breaking year for entries. Winners include some of…
The upcoming comedy About My Father unites actor-writer-comedian Sebastian Maniscalco with the great Robert DeNiro and an all-star supporting cast. The filmmaker in the director’s chair for this movie is…
As you begin making plans for the Summer, there is one weekend you can confidently ink into your calendar. Filmscape Chicago is set for June 24-25 at CineCity Studios. Today,…
Produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” is the final installment in the film series’ blockbuster trilogy. Written and…
Filmed in Kentucky, right in the heart of Oldham County. The comedy indie Going Nowhere is now out for your viewing pleasure and receiving great reviews. We have the trailer,…
On the set of About My Father, actor-writer-comedian Sebastian Maniscalco worked side-by-side with not one but two superstars: the great Robert DeNiro… and Sebastian’s Dad. DeNiro and Dad had a…
The premiere is here, and the daring duo behind the show is here to give you a sneak peek. The critically acclaimed HBO Original comedy series Somebody Somewhere, starring and…
The Third Annual Shorts-a-Palooza film festival takes place on Tuesday, April 18, at Morrison Tech in Morrison, Illinois. Hosted by the Northwest Illinois Film Office, the celebration highlights a stunning…
The premiere is here for a cornerstone of the Chicago production community. Patricia Frontain, who has served as Script Supervisor for more than 200 episodes of the popular NBC series…
The Grey List is a curated list of original, high-quality, market-ready feature and pilot scripts from writers over the age of 40, and the script for Oriole Park made the cut….
NBC crew members and an internationally renowned photographer are among the filmmakers screening shorts during the sixth annual Patrick Lives On Film Showcase, March 11 at Resolution Studios. They will join a…
Exciting news for documentary fans, a new film is about to hit your screens! The documentary, titled How (Not) to Build a School in Haiti, explores development, history, and colonialism…
Robert “Diggy” Morrison has been scoring films in Chicago for over thirty years. His latest endeavor has led him to the highly popular original series for BET, The Family Business,…
Michael Glover Smith’s fourth feature Relative, which launched a joint premiere theatrical run at the Music Box Theater and Gene Siskel Film Center last summer, is set to return to…
Five years ago, Don Hatton joined forces with a group of artists to start shooting an indie film that would eventually look like a blockbuster. Coordinating finance, locations and talent…
It’s time to get the band back together! So say Nora Kaye and Whitney Uland, who co-wrote, co-directed and co-star in The Cosmos Sisters, a dark comedy about two high school…
Director Patricia Frontain completed production on a Lifetime movie starring Mena Suvari in mid-November. Managing about 30 crew, she worked an “incredibly intense” 12-day schedule in Los Angeles to shoot…
Is Wolf Hound one of the most ambitious independent films ever made? It’s a question worth asking. This death-defying thriller from director Michael Chait, alongside the VFX expertise of Turncoat…
Submissions for Chicago’s beloved Patrick Lives On film festival will run from December 1 to February 15, 2023. Open to anyone from the Chicago film community, entries can represent any…
Estefania Bonilla Hernandez and Craig Whitney are on the brink of what could be one the most impactful films of the decade. After spending the past six years documenting the…
Quad Cities filmmakers Kelly and Tammy Rundle of Fourth Wall Films will premiere their new documentary An Infantryman from Hero Street during Veterans Day weekend, Saturday, November 12 on the…
Michael Giacchino is already widely acclaimed as the composer behind numerous Oscar-, Emmy-, and Grammy-winning scores for a growing number of feature film and television masterpieces, including eight Pixar movies….
Coming off a prestigious win at a film festival in New York and a high-profile Los Angeles premiere, a Chicago indie will continue to add more screening dates at fests and…
“The most hopeful film I’ve done.” So declares Oscar Nominated director Darren Aronofsky as he spoke with SCREEN’s Dan Patton in an exclusive interview. Aronofsky was in Chicago to present…
Chicago native Haroula Rose burst onto the independent film world with her debut feature and festival darling Once Upon a River, and she has now wrapped production in Chicago on…
The Blacklight is a suspenseful thriller that combines murder and magic with a large dose of the supernatural. It’s also funny as hell. Filmed partially throughout Northern Illinois, the low-budget indie…
Fourteen years ago, Michael Cook had an inspiration about escaping. The Illinois-based artist, writer and director felt that many Americans, including himself, could make good use out of a break…
The Chicago Film Critics Association (CFCA), the Chicago-area print, online and broadcast critics group that celebrates the art of film and film criticism, released their roster for 2022-2023 today, announcing the…
Passion, Planes and Pyrotechnics with ‘Wolf Hound’ Director Michael B. Chait and VFX Guru Ryan Urban
A Hollywood action thriller on an indie budget. That was the ambitious mission accomplished by director Michael B. Chait, VFX guru Ryan Urban, and their talented cast and crew. Wolf…
Chicago Filmmakers is pleased to announce that the Chicago Digital Media Production Fund (CDMPF) has awarded cash grants ranging from $3,000 to $20,000 to seven Chicago artists for the production…
OneChicago and Breaking Bad fans will see some familiar faces in the latest feature film from Chicago-based Lakefront Pictures. Chicago Fire star Christian Stolte and Breaking Bad mainstay RJ Mitte…
![Chicago Screenwriter Brett Neveu Teaming Up with Oscar Nom Michael Shannon for 'Eric LaRue' [Exclusive Interview]](https://screenmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Brett-Neveu-Michael_Shannon-200x300.jpeg)
Two Chicago powerhouses will be teaming up for a promising project this August. Two-time Academy Award Nominee Michael Shannon and Joseph Jefferson Award winning playwright Brett Neveu will be collaborating…
There is a slasher flick in the works in the Chicago and Illinois suburbs this month. Writer-director Clinton J. Phillips and his production company Three Feathers Films are bringing the…
Filmscape Chicago is here. The mantra for this year is “New Dates, New Venue, Same Mission,” and it’s a must-attend for anyone in the Midwest production community this weekend, June…
Chicago Film Project has announced the expansion of writer/director Michael Glover Smith’s (pictured here with his father at the theatrical premiere) fourth feature film, Relative, into suburban Woodridge and Wilmette…
![Tribeca World Premiere for Illinois Indie; Interview with Director Alex Heller and Producer Eugene Sun Park [Exclusive]](https://screenmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/full_theYearBetween-Still001-1920x1080-1-200x300.png)
A very personal story for an up-and-coming director is about make a very public World Premiere. The Year Between will debut at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City…
Oak Park residents Adria Dawn and David Tarleton, of Tarleton/Dawn Productions, are making their mark through their films for social change. On May 24th, Dawn’s birthday, the filmmaking partnership and…
Full Spectrum Features presents the Chicagoland Shorts Vol. 8 premiere at the Gene Siskel Film Center today, May 26 at 7pm with a post-screening Q&A. Click here to purchase your passes for tonight’s festivities. This…
The eight-episode Max Original limited series “The Staircase” debuted this month on HBO Max. Inspired by a true story, “The Staircase” explores the life of Michael Peterson (Colin Firth), his…
A Chicago filmmaker has a new pilot, it’s winning awards, and it’s here for you to watch right now. SCREEN brings you an exclusive chat with Sonny Kruger, creator of…
Newcity/Chicago Film Project has announced the World Theatrical Premiere of Michael Glover Smith’s fourth feature film RELATIVE in Chicago in June.
The nonprofit Sundance Institute announced today the names of the mediamakers selected for the new Humanities Sustainability Fellowship, a year-long program providing 20 U.S.-based under-resourced nonfiction mediamakers whose work and livelihood…
Illinois Production Alliance Executive Director Christine Dudley, Chicago Media Angels Executive Director Ted Reilly to discuss the expanded Illinois State Film Tax Incentive.
It’s been a busy year for cinematographer Christopher Rejano, and he is just getting started. This week marks the worldwide premiere of the highly anticipated horror feature Night’s End, which…
Many Chicagoans have been heading back to school of late, to either move up the ladder in their field or to pursue a new profession altogether. If you are looking…
Fact: On March 30, 1282, as the bells of Palermo, Sicily, tolled for Vespers, a Sicilian woman crying “Death to the Angevins!” led a people’s uprising against the French garrison…
A new colorist collective is off to an auspicious start. Matt McClain, Thrive Colour Founder/Colorist, announces the completion of the company’s work on three new feature films: A Day to…
It’s time for a fresh and honest take on the world of professional sports, and this scripted Chicago-made drama might be getting its call to the field. The pilot Devonte…
It’s always great to open your festival run with a win. And Michael Glover Smith’s fourth film, Relative, did just that. The dramatic feature, which was shot in Chicago last…
Back in 1996, Wayne Brejcha, current Co-Owner/Creative Director of Calabash, was just beginning his animation career at the Chicago-based studio when the first Space Jam movie entered his life. Directed…
Directors Steve Conry and Christian Schultz recently released this heartfelt documentary that celebrates the 10 year anniversary of world famous music festival, Electric Forest. Electric Forest is co-produced by Madison…
Two OneChicago fan favorites will be reuniting, though it won’t be in Chicago. Miranda Rae Mayo is reteaming with her former Chicago Fire co-star Yuriy Sardarov on Daddy, a dark…
Dave Wooley did not mind that Dionne Warwick hesitated to let him do a movie about her when he mentioned the idea five years ago. “When Dionne says she’s really…
Racial identity and female-driven storytelling are at the heart of the profound and elegant psychological drama, Passing. Vicky Cristina Barcelona actor Rebecca Hall makes her directorial debut with this feature,…
As The Matrix Resurrections trailer continues to break the internet, with well over 50 million views worldwide, the film has also shined a light on a highly touted VFX artist…
With “The Suicide Squad,” writer/director James Gunn and Warner Bros. Pictures have earned worldwide acclaim for creating what many consider to be the best DC Universe film of all time….
Director Curtis Matzke’s five-minute short, The Orchestra, premiered this month at filmshortage.com. A one-act thriller with virtually no dialogue, the film transforms a student music rehearsal into a crescendo of…
Are you a filmmaker, cinematographer, producer, editor, key grip, gaffer, or content creator or any genre or community? If so, your weekend plans are set. Filmscape is excited to announce…
Director John Mossman knows a thing or two about the good-guy-with-a-gun theory. A lifelong hunter and target shooter, he has witnessed its ability to upset liberals and thrill conservatives, to…
Capturing a single complete scene in one shot is quite an achievement. Capturing an entire feature length film in one shot is nothing short of historic. A single 91-minute take…
The new season of hit comedy Ted Lasso is off and running, and audiences are once again in love with the charming and uplifting show, led by Chicago comedy scene…
Is there anything better than a film that can make you laugh and scream at the same time? So it goes with the new horror comedy Werewolves Within, now in…
The best trips are never planned. When a straight-laced high school student has a regrettable first sexual encounter, she and her and slacker best friend have 24 hours to hunt…
An epic journey for a Marine veteran, and a very special event here at Screen. The gripping documentary Bastards’ Road brought home the coveted Audience Award at Slamdance as well as…
A buddy comedy set in the world of ladies arm wrestling? Yes indeed! Female-driven sports films are few and far-between, but today a fresh, funny, and critically acclaimed one is…
Triple Threat is leaping from its world premiere at the Cinequest Film & VR Festival to a rigorous festival run. But before the film begins its prolific roadtrip, writer-director Stacey…
SCREEN’s Joanna Kay talks with powerhouse female filmmaker Iram Parveen Bilal about her critically acclaimed new film I’LL MEET YOU THERE. Enjoy the uplifting interview below then click here to…
Writing, producing, and shooting a feature film in less than a month is quite a feat. But that’s exactly what happened. “We wanted to do something silly and we wanted…
God literally forbids she turn off a vibrator gone rogue, so an Orthodox Jew sets out on a quest to find someone who can. Screen’s Joanna Kay chats with director…
Who is THE FIXER? This short-form crime thriller is set to premiere at the Oscar-qualifying #HollyShorts Festival and stars the inimitable Danny Trejo. Screen’s Joanna Kay is chatting with Michael…
Dating ain’t what it used to be. Hilarious comedy SHIRi is set to premiere at the Oscar-qualifying #HollyShorts and Screen’s Joanna Kay is chatting with Director Micah Coate, Writer and…
The Oscar-qualifying short film showcase HollyShorts is bigger and better than ever, and this year, it’s virtual. Enjoy some of the best and brightest short form filmmakers from across the…
HollyShorts 2020 is here! Screen Magazine’s Joanna Kay is bringing you exclusive interviews with filmmakers from the short film spectacular, and today, Joanna takes a walk with THE PRIEST, a…
HollyShorts is here and one of the filmmakers starring in front as well as behind the camera is Andrea Rosen. Today in Filmmaker Focus, Andrea chats with SCREEN’s Joanna Kay…
Ever had a tornado hit your film set and crush your production van? Well, that is one of several remarkable stories from the making of the new critically acclaimed indie…
What is Tony Hawk’s favorite Tom Cruise movie? What was going through his mind when he hit that 900? And what about this new documentary of his that just released?…
What is Tony Hawk’s favorite Tom Cruise movie? What was going through his mind when he hit that 900? And what about this new documentary of his that just released?…
The explosive and controversial documentary IMMIGRATION NATION is now on Netflix and rattling viewers on both sides of this national debate. Screen Correspondent Joanna Kay sat down with co-directors Christina…
In turns disturbing, insightful, and moving, ASK NO QUESTIONS was described at its Slamdance premiere as a real-life version of BLACK MIRROR. Directed by Jason Loftus and Eric Pedicelli, the…
“Quietly magnificient and deeply resonant” raves Richard Roeper, as the story of a life-long factory worker who searches for purpose after his plant closes, WORKING MAN becomes available at an…
While the rest of us were sitting at home complaining about canned soup and network reruns, documentary producer extraordinaire, Emmy winner, and Kartemquin Films co-founder Gordon Quinn was in the…
These weeks in quarantine can be a catalyst of creativity for some filmmakers, and that is the case with Chicago independent filmmaker and advertising director Larry Ziegelman. Larry has a…
There’s a lot that has changed in the film world. One of the most exciting times for a filmmaker is getting into festivals and reading critics’ reviews of their films….
Nearly 20 years after the scandal, the story is finally out about the $24 million McDonald’s Monopoly fraud. “We’re just happy somebody told the story,” an FBI spokesman said, at…
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