PHOTO BOOTH: Elevated Films Chicago Kickoff

Go big or go home. That was the mantra as Elevated Films Chicago took over the 17th floor Town Hall – which also happens to be an NBA-sized basketball court – for its Season Kickoff at 167 Green Street in the River West neighborhood of Chicago.

This year, Elevated Films Chicago is ramping up its mission to raise awareness for independent film and create opportunities for the next generation of filmmakers as it will be partnering with the Become a Filmmaker program. Become A Filmmaker program director Liliane Calfee introduced the evening’s film program and talk about the exciting plans coming up this year. The team then played some of the wonderful shorts previously produced through the program, and debuted new work from other Chicago filmmakers.

Here are some photos from the festivities…

Here is the lineup of films from Thursday night’s season kickoff…

“Birthday” – Become a Filmmaker
“Big Drip” NEW – Become a Filmmaker
“Without Dying” – Become a Filmmaker
*Secret Project* NEW – Alex Thompson
“Heart” – Merawi Gerima
*Secret Project* NEW – Kelly O’Sullivan
“My Duduś” SXSW ’22 – Coy Coyote
“Dunes” – Jennifer Reeder
“It Takes a Village” NEW – Glamhag & Sarah Squirm

Big Night for Become a Filmmaker

Since 2016, the Become a Filmmaker youth program, an intensive six-week summer documentary filmmaking course, has provided underserved youth with new economic pathways and the tools to share their voices with the world. The program, a partnership made possible by the Chicago Housing Authority’s nonprofit partner Springboard to Success and DePaul University’s School of Cinematic Arts, part of the College of Computing and Digital Media, has helped participants gain technical filmmaking skills and learn the power of their personal narratives.

And here are a few final photos from the big night…

If This Is the First You’re Hearing of Elevated Films Chicago…

Elevated Films Chicago is a non-profit organization whose mission is to raise awareness for independent film and create opportunities for youth arts in Chicago, by hosting independent film events showcasing today’s strongest filmmakers and their work, and youth arts mentorship & outreach programs bringing up the next generation of filmmakers.

Click here for more from Elevated Films Chicago!