Cinema/Chicago News

The 50th Chicago International Film Festival Announces Jury For New Directors Competition

Published: October 7, 2014  |  Filed under: Festival News

CHICAGO, IL (October 7, 2014) – The 50th Chicago International Film Festival announced today the jury for its New Directors Competition. The jury consists of Swedish producer Anna Croneman; Moroccan director and producer Izza Génini; Director of the Berlin International Film Festival’s Panorama Wieland Speck; and Managing Editor of RogerEbert.com Brian Tallerico.

Celebrating discovery and innovation while representing a variety of styles, genres and viewpoints, this selection of directors’ first or second feature films introduces the next generation of the world’s great filmmakers.[…]

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Kathleen Turner To Preside Over The 50th Chicago International Film Festival’s International Feature Competition Jury

Published: October 7, 2014  |  Filed under: Festival News

CHICAGO, IL (October 7, 2014) – The 50th Chicago International Film Festival, North America’s oldest competitive international film festival, announced today that Academy Award®-nominated and Golden Globe®-winning actress Kathleen Turner will be the President of this year’s International Feature Competition Jury. Joining her are acclaimed filmmaker and New German Cinema pioneer Margarethe von Trotta; Turkish director Ferzan Ozpetek (whose latest film, “Fasten Your Seatbelts,” is an Official selection at this year’s Festival); award-winning Israeli cinematographer Giora Bejach; and Iranian editor and director Parviz Shahbazi.[…]

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Liv Ullmann, Colin Farrell, Kathleen Turner and More to Attend Opening Night of 50th Chicago International Film Festival

Published: October 6, 2014  |  Filed under: Festival News

 CHICAGO, IL (October 6, 2014)–The 50th Chicago International Film Festival begins with a star-studded Opening Night on Oct. 9 when “Miss Julie” Director Liv Ullmann, “Miss Julie” star Colin Farrell, Festival Jury Member Kathleen Turner, Festival Founder and Artistic Director Michael Kutza and “The Fugitive” Director Andrew Davis walk the red carpet.

The opening film, “Miss Julie,” directed by veteran actress and Ingmar Bergman collaborator Liv Ullmann, stars Golden Globe®-award winning actors Jessica Chastain, Samantha Morton and Colin Farrell.[…]

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Director Gina Prince-Bythewood and Actress Gugu Mbatha-Raw to be Honoured at 18th Annual Black Perspectives Tribute and Gala

Published: October 6, 2014  |  Filed under: Festival News

CHICAGO, IL (October 6, 2014) – The 50th Chicago International Film Festival will honor director Gina Prince-Bythewood and actress Gugu Mbatha-Raw at the 18th Annual Black Perspectives Tribute and Gala, Friday, October 10. The red carpet event starts at 6.30 p.m. at AMC River East 21 (322 E. Illinois St.), followed by a special presentation of Prince-Bythewood’s latest film “Beyond the Lights.” Mbatha-Raw and Prince-Bythewood are scheduled to appear on the red carpet and at the Gala.

“Both honorees are great inspirations for women in the film industry and are making tremendous contributions to American cinema,” said Founder and Artistic Director of the Chicago International Film Festival, Michael Kutza.[…]

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The 50th Chicago International Film Festival Introduces the Roger Ebert Award

Published: October 2, 2014  |  Filed under: Festival News

CHICAGO, IL (October 2, 2014) – In the spirit of film critic Roger Ebert’s sense of discovery, the 50th Chicago International Film Festival introduces the Roger Ebert Award. The award will be presented annually to that emerging filmmaker whose film presents a fresh and uncompromising vision. The fourteen films eligible for the award are also competing in the Festival’s New Directors Competition. The Roger Ebert Award will be presented during the Festival’s annual Awards Night on Friday, October 17 at The Sofitel Chicago Water Tower, 20 E.[…]

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