Announcing First-Ever Partnership With Dark Matter Coffee

The Chicago International Film Festival and Dark Matter Coffee today unveiled the Director’s Cut product line celebrating the 57th edition of the longest-running competitive festival in North America, running October 13 – 24, 2021, and inspired by the conversations films can spark over a cup of coffee. The Director’s Cut line includes a cold brew, a chocolate bar, and a custom coffee blend that is as international as the Festival itself, featuring a flavor profile that suggests classic movie theater concessions and packaged in a bold, exclusive new art piece by Chicago muralist Czr Prz of Pilsen.

The Director’s Cut Coffee blend creation is inspired by the candy and snacks enjoyed by movie-goers at the theater. A washed Catuai from Guatemala creates a sweet, chocolatey base with dried fruit notes. To add a touch of acidity, the Catuai is blended with honey-processed Bourbon & Pacas. These Salvadoran beans add a rich, citrusy pop, like a freshly poured fountain drink. Director’s Cut Coffee is available in whole bean bags as well as coffee cold cans. The custom blend suggests Raisinets, cola, and the caramel of Milk Duds.

The Director’s Cut Chocolate Bar blends creamy, nutty Trinitario as a foundation, highlighted with Blanco Jaguar to brighten up the blend. Both of these cacaos are grown and processed by
Margarito Mendoza of Ostuacan, Chiapas in southern Mexico.

“Nothing facilitates conversation like meeting over a cup of coffee,” said Dark Matter Coffee Vice President Brian Grabiner. “Dark Matter’s first film collaboration couldn’t find a better partner than the Chicago International Film Festival and Cinema/Chicago, as we celebrate our two favorite things — Chicago and the movies.”

“Being a huge film buff, and a coffee lover, it’s been a dream come true to work with both the Chicago International Film Festival and Dark Matter Coffee,” said muralist Czr Prz, designer of the Director’s Cut exclusive artwork. “Being able to weave my love of science fiction films in particular into the piece made this a true bucket list achievement for me.”

“Dark Matter Coffee’s commitment to the community mirrors the Chicago International Film Festival’s own commitments,” said Chicago International Film Festival Managing Director Vivian Teng. “Working hand-in-hand to celebrate and support Chicago’s vibrant arts community by bringing the mediums of film, street art, and food and beverage together creates a wonderful conversation about how art impacts each of us every day.”

As the official sponsor of the Festival’s After Dark program, Dark Matter Coffee will provide cans of Director’s Cut Cold Brew to attendees at Drive-In screenings of Opening Night at the Drive-In presentation The Velvet Underground, featuring a virtual Q&A with director Todd Haynes; Antlers, from visionary acclaimed director Scott Cooper (Crazy Heart, Hostiles) and horror maestro Guillermo del Toro (Pan’s Labyrinth, The Shape of Water), and indie coming-of-age occult horror hit Hellbender. Director’s Cut Cold Brew will also be distributed at in-theater screenings of MAD GOD from director Phil Tippett, and wholly original werewolf tale The House of Snails from director Macarena Astorga. For each bag of Director’s Cut beans sold, Dark Matter Coffee will make a contribution to Chicago International Film Festival parent organization Cinema/Chicago’s year-round programming.

The full program and screening schedule for the 57th Chicago International Film Festival is available online in the digital Festival Program. Director’s Cut Coffee and Chocolate is available for purchase from the Dark Matter Coffee website and at their eight retail locations throughout Chicago.