2015 Chicago Film Festival Focuses Spotlight On Architecture

Published: October 5, 2015 | Filed under: Festival News

Bringing space- and design-themed films to Chicago from around the world; Featuring Two North American Premiers and Four U.S. Premieres

The 51st Chicago International Film Festival (Oct 15-29, 2015), in conjunction with the Chicago Architecture Biennial, announce the Festival’s Spotlight: Architecture+Space+Design program. Spotlight: Architecture+Space+Design is supported by its Program Partners: Chicago Architecture Biennial, The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, Tribune Media, Italian Film Commission, and Italian Trade Agency. This year’s Spotlight features two North American Premieres and four USA Premieres. More information about the program may be found at http://www.chicagofilmfestival.com/spotlight.

From Tokyo to Milan to Sao Paolo, the international selection showcases 11 new feature films, including notable portraits of architects, designers and buildings (Concrete Love – The Bohm Family, Why A Film About Michele De Lucchi?, The Infinite Happiness) and beautifully photographed depictions of contemporary and futuristic cities (Obra, Invention, Under Electric Clouds). From subways to skyscrapers, from down-and-out squatters to glass-house-dwellers, these films portray a range of people and characters interacting with extraordinary places and spaces.

In addition to the program of shorts, Chicago Film Archives Program and feature-length films (all listed below), the Spotlight features a discussion with architect Helmut Jahn on Sat, Oct 17 at 6:00pm at the AMC River East 21. World-renowned for his progressive architecture and constant innovation, Jahn has designed 16 buildings in Illinois, including Chicago’s own United Airlines Terminal. He also designed skyscrapers in major cities around the world. Jahn will discuss his remarkable 49-year career in architecture and his unique vision, using clips from modern and classic films that showcase his designs and reflect his philosophy. Rounding out the Spotlight: Architecture+Space+Design program, on Wednesdays throughout the Chicago Architecture Biennial (Oct-Dec 2015), local and visiting architects and designers will present Architects on Film. This program features films that have touched their lives and careers in conjunction with the Chicago International Film Festival’s year-round programming. This highly curated selection ranges from films that have influenced architecture to those that can spark conversations about the intersection between film, architecture, philosophy, and society. Screenings will be followed by conversations with presenters. This is a free event! No ticket required.

“We’re thrilled to have the Chicago International Film Festival as a Program Partner of the Chicago Architecture Biennial. The lineup of films in both the Spotlight and Architects on Film Programs dovetails with the objectives and philosophy of the Biennial,” says Biennial Public Programs Manager Kate Keleman. “Our collaboration is producing an insightful and unexpected conversation about the intersection of architecture and film. The Biennial-related film series expand both the Biennial and the Film Festival, two significant projects that encompass a global point of view.”

“Selecting the films for the Spotlight Architecture program was an exciting challenge for the programming team, as we stretched our ideas about the interplay between film, architecture and design. The creativity and diversity of the films in the program has exceeded our expectations. It’s a great honor to be a part of the inaugural Chicago Architecture Biennial,” added Festival Programming Director Mimi Plauché.

View the 2015 Festival lineup at ChicagoFilmFestival.com/films. The full festival schedule is available at ChicagoFilmFestival.com/schedule. Individual tickets and multi-film passes are available at ChicagoFilmFestival.com/tickets.

SPOTLIGHT: ARCHITECTURE+SPACE+DESIGN (Ticketed)

All films listed will receive their Chicago premiere at the Festival unless otherwise Festival screenings will be held at the AMC River East 21 Theater (322 E. Illinois St.). Program subject to change.

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