Narrated By
Synopsis
A normal day in the recording studio for voice actress Candice takes a sudden turn when a former fling shows up as her scene partner. Past resentment and underlying chemistry threaten to ruin (or heighten?) each take of their erotic audiobook performance.
This film screens as part of Shorts Program 3: Black Perspectives.
Film Credits
- Stephen Szmed
- Khaya Fraites
- David Mason III
- Roberto De Cecco
- Khaya Fraites, Nehemiah Markos, Stephen Szmed
- Mario Gutierrez
Shorts 4: City & State
Synopsis
Chicago and Illinois-based filmmakers experiment with genre, topic, and form in this eclectic program by students, upcoming artists, and established directors.
In Bailey’s Blues, a Chicago-born musician turns up the heat in a confrontational interview. An ugly Christmas dinner leaves a young woman with one worthwhile family member in Madrina. The ever-mounting pressure of high school debate brings out the best and worst of its overachieving students and wise-cracking judges in Debaters. Your Tomorrow Will Be My Song is a vulnerable re-telling by Suni and Alondra, a real-life couple contemplating their trip back home to the Andes. In Chasing the Party, teenage exploration takes an unexpected turn when suburban best friends Melissa and Stephanie make their way into a bar with the fakest of IDs. The usual anxieties plague upcoming artist Anisa as she dodges gossip from art scene contemporaries, questions the value of her work, and navigates flaring tensions in It’s Just a Fucking Opening. In Make No Mistake: These Are the Glory Days, we witness moments of clarity, belonging, and acceptance as the band HOME IS WHERE tours the U.S. as an openly trans group with an openly trans audience.
Screenings & Events
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Sponsors
Documentary Program Partner
Documentary Program Patron
Cynthia Stone Raskin
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Bailey’s Blues
Synopsis
When a French journalist attempts to interview a Chicago-born blues musician, all of the bitter racial resentment of the 1960s bubbles up to the surface. What starts off as a generic interview becomes a chance for actual truth telling about the music business and society at-large.
This film screens as part of Shorts Program 4: City & State.
Media
Film Credits
- Shiloh Tumo Washington, Fabiola Auxila
- Shiloh Tumo Washington
- Shiloh Tumo Washington
- Corey Joon Clark
- Namir Smallwood, Pierre Lucas
- Adam Zanolini
- Candice Abioye, Alex Breland, Melissa Canon-Johnson, Amir George, Damon Jones, Hugh McIntyre, Amy McIntyre, Ifeoma Nkemdi, Messejah Washington
- Tumo Works, Blank Gaze Filmworks
- https://tumoworks.com/baileys-blues-2025
Madrina
Synopsis
A conflicted woman returns home for the holidays after two years of no contact. Under the leering eyes of family, she regains her voice in defense of herself and her autonomy. When she gets kicked out of Christmas dinner, she cherishes her one remaining connection with her godmother.
This film screens as part of Shorts Program 4: City & State.
Film Credits
- Miguel Silveira
- Miguel Silveira
- Miguel Silveira
- Alejandro Marin
- Magdaliz Rivera, Maria de la Caridad
- Francis Rodriguez
- https://www.missyhernandez.com/madrina-short-film
Debaters
Synopsis
High school strivers don their best business attire to compete at a congressional debate tournament. Rightful cynicism from the adults in the room gets directed at Anubhav, a first-timer who’s way out of his depth.
This film screens as part of Shorts Program 4: City & State.
Media
Film Credits
- Alex Heller, Angie Gaffney, Brittani Ward, Amy E. Powell
- Alex Heller
- Glenn Fellman
- Dagmar Weaver-Madsen
- Sripadh Pulligilla, J. Smith-Cameron, Kenneth Lonergan
- Eugene Sun Park, Jason Matsumoto
- Full Spectrum Features
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