Photo by Timothy M. Schmidt
Dear Friends, Supporters and Fellow Movielovers:
At the Chicago International Film Festival, we have long believed in the power of cinema to bring people together from across different cultures and walks of life, to transport us to distant places and states of mind, both real and imagined. In these uncertain times, we (like so many of you) turn to film to continue to move, inspire and unite us – while looking to one another and our community for support.
As a non-profit during these times, cancelled fundraisers and events have significantly impacted our organization – and because so many of you have reached out – we wanted to compile a list of how you can help champion future festivals by considering the following:
Join as a Member or renew your membership early- Consider becoming a Donor to support our education and free public programs
- Underwrite a Festival film as a Spotlight Patron to affirm your commitment to this year’s Festival
- Purchase a Pass at the early bird rate for the 56th Chicago International Film Festival
While we are disappointed we had to cancel our events in March, we know now is a time to prioritize the health of our city and our patrons. And we want to give a big thank you to those individuals who generously donated their tickets from our Beers for Buses fundraiser that supports our Education Screenings.
To those of you that have already embraced and asked What Role Can I Play? Thank you. Our staff is sheltering in place and working from home, watching films for the upcoming edition, planning for upcoming events, and creating engaging digital content for audiences to enjoy while we weather the storm. We will be sharing new content highlights with you via email in the days and weeks ahead to ensure that the Chicago International Film Festival remains a bright part of your lives, until we can meet again in theaters to celebrate cinema together.
Charles Droege
Chairman,
Governing Board of Directors
Vivian Teng
Managing Director
Mimi Plauché
Artistic Director
212 W Van Buren St., Suite 400
