CineYouth Announces Film Pitch and Challenge

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Danielle Garnier
pressoffice@chicagofilmfestival.com

THE 52^nd CHICAGO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL REVEALS NEW FILM PITCH INITIATIVE FOR STUDENTS AT THIS YEAR’S CINEYOUTH FESTIVAL

Panelists include Lauren McCarthy of Los Angeles’ Broad Green Pictures and Chicago filmmaker Stephen Cone

(CHICAGO, April 10, 2016) – Cinema/Chicago and the 52^nd Chicago International Film Festival are proud to announce this year’s Film Pitch at the upcoming CineYouth Festival. Running during the May 5-7^th Festival, the Film Pitch provides young filmmakers the opportunity to present their project to industry leaders from Hollywood and Chicago.

Supported by Presenting Partners Bloomberg Philanthropies and Columbia College Chicago, the CineYouth Festival, now in its 12^th year, will present the Film Pitch and their returning initiative the CineYouth Film Challenge on Saturday, May 7^th from 10am-3pm at Columbia College Chicago (1104 S Wabash). CineYouth is Chicago’s premiere international film festival for students ages 22 and younger.

The Film Pitch invites select student filmmakers to present projects in development or pre-production to a panel of established industry leaders. Up to four pitch participants will present their projects, take questions from the panel and then receive feedback on their projects. The panel will then chose a top pitch, awarding the winning filmmaker with a prize package valued at $500. Confirmed panelists include Lauren McCarthy, Vice President of Creative Affairs at Broad Green Pictures in Los Angeles, California and Chicago based filmmaker Stephen Cone. Students interested in participating can apply at http://www.chicagofilmfestival.com/cineyouth/film-pitch/

The CineYouth Film Challenge is a returning favorite, offering up to fifty students age 7-22 the opportunity to make a short film in less than eight hours. Participating students work in teams to plan, film and edit their project, which will be screened in its entirety at the CineYouth Award Ceremony on Saturday, May 7 at 6:30PM. No filmmaking experience is necessary.  Students interested in participating can sign up at http://www.chicagofilmfestival.com/cineyouth/film-challenge/

CineYouth strives to encourage the talent of young artists and to provide them with opportunities to tell their stories, network with their peers and be recognized for their creativity. The entire Festival is held at Columbia College Chicago (1104 South Wabash) and the full screening schedule will be announced April 7. Attendance is free and open to the public. For more CineYouth details, visit: http://www.chicagofilmfestival.com/cineyouth/

CineYouth is made possible by the generous support of Presenting Partners Bloomberg Philanthropies and Columbia College Chicago. Additional support is provided by Film Freeway, The Renaissance Blackstone Chicago Hotel, the Illinois Arts Council Agency and the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events.