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Chicago – The art of the short film is catching up to our tech-laden short attention spans, but they also often serve as a calling card for the filmmakers of the future. The monthly Midwest Independent Film Festival will have their Spring “Midwest Shorts” on Tuesday, March 5th, 2019, at the Landmark Century Cinema in Chicago. For details and tickets, click here.

The evening will include Wham, directed by Robert Bruce Carter, a physical comedy in which two people fall in love on a sidewalk and a ripple effect ensues; I’M Not Happy But I’M Trying, directed by Jonathan Janas, in which the most cheerful man in town fights his own personal demons and hardships with balloons; June, directed by Shelby Alayne Antel and Andy Hones, the story of a dispute that causes a woman to find an unlikely confidant in her next-door neighbor about her personal struggles; Outside, directed by Samantha Ellis,...

Chicago – The actualities that define adolescence are always prime for new territory in drama, and that is what the Chicago-based film “The View from Tall” accomplishes. Co-directed by Erica Weiss and Caitlin Parrish, it will be screened at the Midwest Independent Film Festival on Tuesday, April 4th, 2017 (details below).

The story centers on Justine (Amanda Drinkall), a highly intelligent high school senior who feels like an outsider in her insular adolescent community. Her rebellion was a consensual relationship with a teacher, and the subsequent problems when the situation is exposed has the teacher exiled, and places Justine in therapy. Her facilitator is Douglas (Michael Patrick Thornton), a wheelchair bound therapist who frees her thoughts and reactions. Their intimacy evokes feelings that neither one of them expect, which raises the suspicions of Justine’s sister Paula (Carolyn Braver).

Michael Patrick Thornton & Amanda Drinkall in ‘The View From Tall,’ next at the...

Chicago – One of the many merits of CIMMfest – the Chicago International Music and Movies Festival – is how they provide a showcase to new programming and emerging talent. On the second day of the 2016 festival (April 14), Potenza Productions will premiere their new music show, “On the Scene,” with the director debut of Mary Kay Cook.

Cook has been an actress and producer of note throughout her career, and now adds director to her resume for the new web series. “On the Scene” is described as an all-access-pass to what is happening right now in music, and is about performance, conversation and “whatever we get on camera,” for the backstage perspective on the particular band being profiled. “On the Scene” is hosted by Rocco Cataldo.

Director Mary Kay Cook and Host Rocco Cataldo of “On the Scene”

Photo credit: Potenza Productions

The premiere is in partnership with ReverbNation Connect, and will also...

Chicago – On Tuesday, December 2nd, the Midwest Independent Film Festival gave out their 2014 “Best of the Midwest” awards with a ceremony at The Underground Nightclub in Chicago. Sweeping Best Actor, Director and Feature Film was the Collin Schiffli-directed “Animals,” starring and written by David Dastmalchian.

BMA Host Mike McNamara with Presenter/Screenwriter Irvine Welsh

Photo credit: Jason Brown (jbrownweddingphoto.com) for MidwestFilm.com

The evening was hosted by Festival Director Mike McNamara, and featured appearances by television stars Jon Seda and Laroyce Hawkins of “Chicago Pd”; Christian Stolte and Charlie Barnett of “Chicago Fire”; Kelly O’Sullivan and Maura Kidwell of “Sirens”; Screenwriter Irvine Walsh (“Trainspotting”); and Betsy Steinberg, the Director of the Illinois Film Office.

The Midwest Independent Film Festival is a year-round movie event in Chicago that takes place the first Tuesday of every month, at the Landmark Century Centre Cinema. The festival has been named by...

Chicago – The Chicago independent film scene keeps thriving, and a local production that just wrapped up will soon be a part of it. “The View From Tall” is based on a play written by co-director Caitlin Parrish, who along with her directing partner Erica Weiss brought the story to the screen.

One of the key roles in the film is portrayed by Chicago actor Michael Patrick Thornton. Thornton is a veteran performer, who most recently appeared as Dr. Gabriel Fife in the ABC-tv series “Private Practice.” Thornton suffered a spinal stroke in 2003, and is now mobile via a wheelchair, but has still forged a full acting career which also included an appearance in “The Dilemma” – directed by Ron Howard – in 2011.

Caitlin Parrish and Erica Weiss on the Set of ‘The View From Tall’

Photo credit: Tyler Core for the ‘The View From Tall,’ LLC

The crew of “The View From Tall,...

Chicago – One of the great nights of the Chicago International Film Festival is the “City & State” Short Film program, as local filmmakers from Chicago and the State of Illinois present their work. Directors Nadav Kurtz (“Paradise”), Fawzia Mirza, Ryan Logan (“Queen of my Dreams”), Benjamin Kegan (“After Christmas”) and Brad Bischoff (“Where the Buffalo Roam”) were part of that program and spoke to HollywoodChicago.com.

Before the short films program began, producer Mary Kay Cook of the film “Wednesday’s Child” (directed by Rocco Cataldo) was acknowledged for winning the Illinois Shortcuts film competition, which won them a place in the same City & State presentation. Click here for the HollywoodChicago.com interview of Mary Kay Cook.

Nadav Kurtz, Director of “Paradise”

‘Paradise’ won the Silver Hugo prize in the Short Film competition for Best Documentary at the this year’s Chicago International Film Festival, and is on the short list...

Chicago – One of the best organizations in the local arts community is Women in Film Chicago. Known for their networking events, they will be highlighting three filmmakers on Monday, March 19th. The “Emerging Talent: Females in Focus” program features the short films “Fitting” (Grace McPhillips), “Off Into Space” (Anna Jung) and “Wednesday’s Child,” produced by Mary Kay Cook.

L to R: Mary Kay Cook (‘Wednesday’s Child’), Grace McPhillips (‘Fitting’) and Anna Jung (‘Off Into Space’)

Photo credit: Heather Stumpf Popio

“Wednesday’s Child” is a compelling narrative piece, an example of extreme parenting taken too far. “Fitting” is a slice-of-life, set in a bridal shop during the ritualistic tailoring of the gown and bridesmaid’s dresses. The documentary short is “Off Into Space,” a story about a Chicagoan, his 15 minutes of fame and the aftermath. The program (information below) will be at the Cultural Center in downtown Chicago.

Chicago – A film’s world premiere is an auspicious occasion. This upcoming Tuesday, at the Midwest Independent Film Festival, marks the narrative film debut of director Mark Rosengren, with his film “Lac du Flambeau.” Produced by local talent in Chicago, the feature was shot primarily in Freeport, Illinois.

Mark Rosengren did his undergrad and graduate work in film through Columbia College and the Art Institute in the Windy City. His first full-length film was a documentary, “I Write on Stuff,” which combined his love for graffiti art with the battle between the city of Chicago and his fellow graffiti artists.

Mark Rosengren (blue tee-shirt) Directs Bob Breuler and Stephen Louis Grush in ‘Lac du Flambeau’

Photo credit: StandingPassengers.com

“Lac du Flambeau” is Rosengren’s first narrative feature. If the title sounds familiar, it was inspired by the real Wisconsin lake, where the players in the film are journeying toward.