Author name: Kasey Martin

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The two films slated for the Festival’s Centerpiece and Closing Night are Greta Gerwig’s solo directorial debut, Lady Bird, to be screened on Wednesday, October 18 and the Closing Night presentation, Guillermo del Toro’s The Shape of Water, which was recently honored with the Golden Lion at the 2017 Venice Film Festival, with a special tribute to star Michael Shannon, an actor with deep Chicago roots.

”The Festival has a longstanding tradition of not only showcasing first features by emerging directors but also the filmmaking debuts of celebrated actors, from Alan Rickman and Faye Dunaway to Liv Ullman and, more recently, William H.[…]

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Renowned Performer to Receive a Career Achievement Award at 21st Black Perspectives Tribute; Full Black Perspectives Program Also Announced

Actress Alfre Woodard will be honored with a Career Achievement Award as part of the 21st edition of the Festival’s Black Perspectives Program, which is generously supported by AARP Illinois. The award will be presented on Saturday, October 21 at a special event during the Festival to be held at the AMC River East 21 (322 E.[…]

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The 16 films selected for the New Directors Competition, celebrating first- and second-time feature filmmakers have been selected. With nearly half of the films directed by women—a new milestone in this competition—each filmmaker makes their World, North American, or U.S. premiere at the Festival’s 53rd edition. The films in the New Directors Competition introduce audiences to the world’s next generation of remarkable talents.

The New Directors Competition has long represented the defining spirit of the Chicago International Film Festival, which has been discovering and showcasing the work of new and rising talents for more than five decades.[…]

A Letter from Mimi Plauché, Artistic Director:

Welcome to the 53rd Chicago International Film Festival. It is an honor to serve as the new Artistic Director of Cinema/Chicago and the Chicago International Film Festival. Following the tradition pioneered by Michael Kutza, this year’s program is electrifying, challenging, and entertaining. We continue our passion for presenting highly anticipated awards-season contenders side by side with indie treasures and exciting new discoveries.

It’s another great year for film. This year’s program has an eclectic mix of genres and styles from dark comedies that will make you laugh in spite of yourself to intense psychological thrillers that will keep you on the edge of your seat and insightful documentaries that will dare you to engage with the world in deeper ways.[…]