FILMS

A queer geriatric nurse learns one of life's hardest lessons when he falls in love with one of his elderly patients. Directed by Alexander Zorn Produced by Zoe White, Jacob Zorn, Alireza Khatami and Torence Johnson

An elderly man bakes a pie in an effort to reconnect with his wife. Bittersweet is a story about family, grief and tradition. William grieves his lost wife by baking her favorite pie recipe. He keeps the memory of her alive when he passes along this tradition to his granddaughter. I hope audiences find Bittersweet relatable as we, or those close to us, have all experienced loss and heartbreak. The grief William experiences and overcomes is universal and I want all who view his journey through this small process to connect with the bitter and sweet side of life.

BREAK is a romantic look at life, love, and sweet summertime through the lens of two high-school kids on the brink of adulthood. AG, a pragmatic introvert, is forced to leave the big city and return to his old hometown in the rural midwest. Sparks fly when he reunites with his idealistic childhood pal MARLI. They spend their vacation at the local roller rink, getting buzzed and getting into trouble as the dog days of summer melt away. But what happens when summer ends? Directed by Lucas Guy Taylor

5th grade activists canvas the trains of Chicago in hopes of garnering community support to change the name of a park currently named after a slave owner to Frederick Douglass Park as part of their grass roots campaign curriculum. Directed by: Cai Thomas

Generation One explores the perspectives of the American-born children of Arab Muslim immigrants as they navigate their layered identities. The film follows the life of a Palestinian-American named Hamoody as he decides to leave his tight-knit Arab community and pursue his independence. With vignette interviews from five other Arab-Americans to supplement Hamoody's story and expound upon certain themes, Generation One sheds light on a range of unique challenges found between the hyphens. Directed by Sohib Boundaoui Produced by Assia Boundaoui

Everyone he knows is into wrestling, but Bobby doesn't understand that world. Alone in his bedroom, he escapes the pressures and stresses of his family in an imagined world of fantasy, fabulousness and dance. Directed by Stephanie Jeter Produced by Kimberly Wehr

Kim finally landed a big date, but she needs to prepare, so she calls in her squad to help get her ready. A short film by Claire McFadden. Shot by Rudy Rubio in Chicago, IL.

Last Call is a three episode series that follows three families across the city of Chicago during the last night before they are forced to close their local businesses that have been open for generations. The series captures communities grappling with losing a place they consider their home as they struggle to find what comes next. Directed by Cai Thomas, Ankur Singh Directed by Cai Thomas and Ankur Singh

On a quest to become a celebrity photographer, Shiro is invited to a party hosted by the student government president and popular varsity athlete Donte James. During an intimate moment at the party, Donte becomes both a subject and a love interest to Shiro as he lets his guard down for the first time. Directed by Max Zuckert Produced by Maalik Falsetto

A young, confused, closeted gay man searches for connection and cameraderie on the southside of Chicago in the 70s and 80s in this short experimental documentary. Directed and Produced by Martin Mulcahy

A young Chinese-American cook, on the cusp of a cross-country move from Chicago to LA with her girlfriend, is held back by unfinished business with her family and memories of her late grandmother. Directed by Rey Tang Produced by Lauren Loesberg and Maddie Hong

Periphery is a unique and abstract retrospect that dissects the struggle of being black in America. Narrated by excerpts from the 1960 interview between James Baldwin & Canadian Television the dialogue perfectly accompanies the collage of visuals and stunning composition, while taking the audience on a journey through the filmmaker's mind. Directed by Lonnie Edwards Produced by Moses Edwards and Todd Walton

To process the death of his wife, a grieving husband embarks on a road trip with his daughter to the place where it all began, the place where he and his wife fell in love. Miles - Timmy H. Barron Madison - Bela Nikolic Annie - Callie Johnson Winner - Best Short Film - 2020 Lake Michigan Film Festival Winner - Best Student Film - 2019 Big Picture Film Festival Winner - Best Young Actress - Bela Nikolic - 2020 Branson International Film Festival

An orchestral cinemagraph portraying the historic reversal of Chicago’s main waterway. Produced by Orbert Davis & Mark Ingram for Orbark Productions, LLC Music composed by Orbert Davis, performed by Chicago Jazz Philharmonic

In 1971 the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art was founded in Chicago by a doctor, two artists, and a misfit group of volunteers. This is their story. The First Lions uncovers the history of the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art's founding in 1971 in Chicago and the Institute's early years. Exploring the stories of Ukrainian-American artists working in modern and contemporary art methods in post-WWII Chicago, The First Lions follows the handful of founding members still living, while exploring the past through archival photographs and films. The film serves as a time capsule for the oral histories of the aging founders, as well as a catalyst for new conversations and research of Ukrainian-American art in the US. Directed by: Erin Babbin, Michael Sullivan

Chicago is a lot more than the violence the media presents to us. Find the good in Chicago as we take a deep dive into the Puerto Rican People's Parade, tracing its origins through years of police brutality, racial discrimination, and resilience. Watch the vibrant colors of the Puerto Rican flag fly through the air of the windy city as the parade passes by, and listen to the rhythm of reggaeton as you discover the strong and diverse roots Puerto Ricans have in Humboldt Park. Chicago es mucho más que la violencia que los medios nos presentan. Encuentra lo bueno en Chicago mientras nos adentramos en el Desfile del Pueblo Puertorriqueño, trazando sus orí­genes a través de años de brutalidad policial, discriminación racial y resiliencia. Observen cómo los colores vibrantes de la bandera puertorriqueña vuelan a través del aire de la ciudad de los vientos mientras pasa el desfile y escuchen el ritmo del reggaeton mientras descubre las fuertes y diversas raí­ces que tienen los puertorriqueños en Humboldt Park.

Six days a week, eight months a year, for 22 years, Cecil Locke has set up his 26 foot-long 200-pound collapsible chess table along Michigan Avenue. Touch and Go Chess Party is an experimental documentary featuring Cecil and his table - a unique street art installation and a staple of the chess community in Chicago and Michigan Avenue visitors alike. Touch and Go Chess Party Directed, Produced and Edited by Paul Restivo Shot by Adam Korolev Starring Cecil Locke

"TRANSPARENT DELUSION" Animation/video poem “Transparent Delusion” is an attempt to solidify the transient sensation of how the varied locations appear in our dreams could have connections with each other. With a map of our very own dream world, hopefully, we are able to lucidly explore from here to there, from today to yesterday. "The locations in different dreams seem to be in the same world, like an alternative earth. Took place somewhere near a river, a dream that I didn’t remember having for years came back to me after I woke up from a dream about a tranquil neighborhood. The reason for this is that, I suppose, these two locations are close to each other in the dream world. I then realized that If I had a map of that world, I would be able to travel between them. I excitedly shared this new discovery with somebody, and they said it is kind of beautiful." directed by Haomin Peng music composed by Kyxus Seward

A young foster girl, navigates a difficult home life with the help of an older foster brother to dream beyond the present and pursue dreams of being a dancer. Directed by Stephanie Jeter Produced by Kimberly Wehr and Dre Robinson