The 60th edition of the Chicago International Film Festival will arrive in this October, but first, the storied institution presented its annual gala on Saturday, June 1st, with very special guests taking center stage. Oscar nominated actor and Chicago native John C. Reilly, whose vast career includes everything from Boogie Nights to madcap comedy Talladega Nights to the indie thriller Hard Eight, was honored at the opulent gala, as was critically acclaimed Chicago filmmaker Jennifer Reeder.
Here is a gorgeous gallery of fabulous photos from the gala, courtesy of the Chicago International Film Festival and photographer Barry Bercheisen…
Al Roker with John C. ReillyAl Roker with John C. Reilly and Jennifer ReederAl Roker with John C. ReillyAl RokerCIFF’s Mimi Plauche and Vivian TengAl RokerBrenda Robinson, John C. ReillyCIFF’s Mimi PlaucheFestival Founder Michael KutzaCinema Chicago Board Chair Charles DroegeCineYouth filmmaker Carlos LermaCIFF’s Mimi Plauche and Vivian Teng with John C. ReillyCIX Lab filmmaker and actor McKenzie ChinnDirector Haroula Rose and producer Sue BerghoefFilmmaker Davy ChouCIX Lab filmmaker and actor McKenzie ChinnFilmmakers Alex Thompson and Kelly O’SullivanCIFF’s Mimi Plauche and Vivian Teng with John C. ReillyJennifer ReederJennifer ReederJennifer ReederJohn C. ReillyJohn C. ReillyJohn C. ReillyL-R Alex Thompson, David Pasquesi, Brett Neveu, Kelly O’SullivanCIFF’s Mimi Plauche and Vivian Teng with Al RokerScreenwriter Brett Neveu with Actor David PasquesiActor Regina TaylorFilmmaker Steve JamesCIFF’s Mimi Plauche and Vivian Teng with Jennifer ReederCIFF’s Mimi Plauche and Vivian Teng with Steppenwolf’s Glenn Davis
Reilly, an Oscar nominee for the 2002 film version of the musical “Chicago,” participated in previous Chicago film festival editions, including a 2011 Master Class. In a statement, the DePaul University graduate described the festival as “a great friend and supporter to films and filmmakers all the way along in its 60-year history and to me personally. I’m honored to be celebrated by this legacy institution and everything and everyone it represents.”
The festivities were hosted by legendary newsman Al Roker. “Cinema/Chicago has spent the last 60 years bringing innovative year-round programming to the people of Chicago, and helped cement Chicago as a destination for filmmakers and film lovers alike,” said Al Roker.
The event, which celebrated the diamond anniversary of the Chicago International Film Festival and its incredible history and impact on Chicago’s culture of film, was held Saturday, June 1, 2024, at the Geraghty, located at 2520 S. Hoyne Ave.
The 60th Anniversary Cinema Soirée Committee was chaired by Brenda Robinson and included Chaz Ebert, Sonia Evans, Jason Delane Lee and Yvonne Huff Lee, and Gigi Pritzker and Cinema/Chicago Board members Charles Droege (Board Chair), Lee Blackwell Baur, Jacolyn Bucksbaum, Philip Clement, Jon Harris, and Bill Melamed.
“There has never been a more crucial time to celebrate and support cinema in Chicago,” said Cinema Soirée Chair Brenda Robinson, executive producer of films including Rebecca Hall’s PASSING and the Rev. Al Sharpton documentary LOUDMOUTH. “Cinema/Chicago represents the best Chicago has to offer, an iconic institution serving a vibrant, robust film community. And indeed, Cinema/Chicago and its programming brings the best world cinema has to offer to our communities, year-round.”
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…
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…
It's time to circle August 15 through the 18th on your calendar. Brothers Larenz Tate, Larron Tate & Lahmard Tate will headline this year’s XL Film Fest in Chicago. Actor…
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…
Alternating Currents, happening August 15-18, 2024, hosts the Quad Cities’ largest annual film festival, featuring dozens of film screenings from rising filmmakers, showcasing many of the best independent and short…
