Festival Archives: Chicago Intl Film Festival

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Two young women peer curiously into a fish tank.

The Damp Season [short film]

  Olivia Huilin Gao

  United States     14 minutes

Synopsis

In this drama about family ties, a young girl comes across the teenaged version of her immigrant mother from whom she has long been estranged. A newfound empathy for her mother leads them to reconnect.

This film screens as part of the Best of CineYouth 2024 program.

 Chinese with subtitles

Film Credits

  •   Chris Zilong Wang, James Jiaqi Zheng
  •   Olivia Huilin Gao
  •   Elsa Xu, Olivia Huilin Gao
  •   Ethan Wen
  •   Lena Ji, Kelly Wong, Yen Wen Chen
  •   Oscar Pan

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A robed altar boy turns away from a frightened young man, who stands in the doorway. An older priest stands by a cross.

Body of Christ [short film] Mi primera comunión

  Ángel Villahermosa

  Spain     12 minutes

Synopsis

As Pablo falls in love with the altar boy Sebastián, he finds that God has become an obstacle to their relationship in more ways than one.

This film screens as part of the Best of CineYouth 2024 program.

  

 Spanish with subtitles

Film Credits

  •   Roberto Mansilla
  •   Ángel Villahermosa
  •   Lara Rodríguez
  •   César Alejandro Pérez
  •   José Román

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City & State Shorts: Now and Then

  Various

  Mexico, United States     95 minutes

Synopsis

A program of shorts by Illinois filmmakers addressing how past experiences shape the present moment, showcasing the talent and vision of regional filmmakers. Including documentary, observational, and narrative works by James Choi, Adam Oppenheim, Samuel-Ali Mirpoorian, Annette Elliot, Fernando Saldivia Yáñez, Donald Conley, Sophiyaa Nayar, Erika Valenciana, Mitchell Wenkus, and Kimberly Spohn.

Using the natural sights and sounds of Tekal, Yucatan, Resonancia (Mexico) is an expressive piece that captures the feel of a small town and its relationship to religion. In Saving Superman (United States), 57-year-old Jonathan experiences the joys and challenges of living with Autism Spectrum Disorder, supported by his mother, friends, and Glen Ellyn community. The Museum (United States) is an atmospheric reflection on the prestige — and bias — of artistry, and one man’s journey of accepting an invitation to display his sculptures after decades of rejection. Against the backdrop of cloudy skies, Winter Portrait (United States) focuses on a Mapuche couple watching their historic wedding video. Ex-lovers Lamar and Sidney reconnect after several years apart in About Time (United States). Chhaya (United States) observes Jiya, whose painful memories return to the surface as she attempts to sit through an annual pelvic exam. Broken Flight (United States) follows the Chicago Bird Collision Monitors, a volunteer group that rescues and records birds after they collide with skyscrapers. Facing a daunting day at work, a young woman tries a novel method to boost her confidence in Day with a Dick (United States).

 English, Mapudungun, Spanish 

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An orange clay church stands between two trees on a cloudy day while a person stands inside with his arms crossed.

Resonancia [short film]

  James Choi

  Mexico     8 minutes

Synopsis

In the face of groupthink, an old man walks his own path. Described by the filmmaker as a metaphor for the creative process, this film asks its audience to look and listen with intention.

This film screens as part of the City & State Shorts: Now and Then program.

 

  

 Spanish 

Film Credits

  •   Estephania Bonnett
  •   James Choi
  •   Carlos Chan Morales, Teresa Morales, Jose Contreras, Isabella Morales
  •   Playlab Films, Beachwood Pictures

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A man stands looking into camera wearing a superman shirt and cape with a superman action figure in the background.

Saving Superman [short film]

  Adam Oppenheim, Samuel-Ali Mirpoorian

  United States     11 minutes

Synopsis

57-year-old Jonathan is a staple of the Glen Ellyn community, thriving thanks to the support of his mother and friends as he navigates life with Autism Spectrum Disorder. When a new landlord increases his rent twice over, locals rally to raise the cost difference and his story goes global.

This film screens as part of the City & State Shorts: Now and Then program.

 English 

Film Credits

  •   Julie Spiller, Adam Oppenheim, & Samuel-Ali Mirpoorian
  •   Samuel-Ali Mirpoorian
  •   Adam Oppenheimer
  •   Sandra Charbonneau, Jonathan Charbonneau, & Julie Spiller
  •   Mark Crawford
  •   Samuel-Ali Mirpoorian
  •   Intersection