(CHICAGO, IL) Chicago Filmmakers proudly announces the recipients of their "Big Shoulders Awards" to be presented during Chicago Filmmakers' Golden Anniversary Celebration and Awards Reception. This special event takes place September 9 at Le Piano in Rogers Park, marking 50 years since the inception of the historic arts organization, known for providing affordable and free classes, workshops, screenings, and resources for filmmakers and film lovers; Chicago Filmmakers, a not-for-profit organization, is most known for producing two of Chicago's most important film festivals, Onion City Experimental Film Festival and the upcoming Reeling: The 41st Chicago LGBTQ+ International Film Festival.
Chicago Filmmakers' "Big Shoulders Award" honorees are Joe Chappelle, Colleen Griffen, Christine Dudley, and Sharon Zurek, prominent game-changers in the Chicago Film industry.
Tickets for the Golden Anniversary Celebration are now on sale at ChicagoFilmmakers.org .
Event Details: Saturday, Sept. 9 from 2-6 p.m. at Le Piano, a renowned Rogers Park venue for live jazz and delicious cuisine (6970 N. Glenwood Avenue, Chicago, IL). Click here for a direct link to tickets.
Powerhouse couple Joe Chappelle and Colleen Griffen (pictured below) have significantly contributed to growing the film industry in Chicago.
Colleen Griffen is a producer and filmmaker, known for her directorial debut, THE COLD AND THE QUIET, as well as her work as producer for Chappelle's feature film, AN ACCEPTABLE LOSS, distributed by IFC and starring Academy Award-winner Jaimie Lee Curtis.
Joe Chappelle is most well-known for his role as Executive Producer and Director on the hit NBC drama series CHICAGO FIRE, the acclaimed NBC TV drama that has helped re-energize the local film and TV production industry. Griffen and Chappelle remain committed to shooting locally, whether on-location or on a sound stage.
Christine Dudley, Illinois Production Alliance Executive Director, recently spearheaded a coalition of industry stakeholders that led to the successful passage of legislation expanding and extending the Illinois Film Production Tax Incentive program and establishing an industry-supported Workforce Development Fund. Dudley served as the Director of the Illinois Film Office from 2015-2019, overseeing a historic growth in revenue, jobs, and programming. Her work cemented Illinois' spot as the Midwest destination for film production.
Sharon Zurek has been an inspiration to many for her impact on the independent film community. One of the most active champions and representatives of the Chicago Filmmakers organization, Zurek, a former Board President, is also renowned for historic and pioneering programming at Chicago Filmmakers including the popular, long-running "Dyke Delicious" film screening series. Zurek is the shorts programmer for the upcoming Reeling: The Chicago LGBTQ+ International Film Festival (starting September 21st and running through October 8). She has helped shape the creative paths of hundreds of her students and colleagues at Columbia College Chicago as a professor of Post-Production. Her notable credits include PBS-aired documentary A MIND IN QUICKSAND: LIFE WITH HUNTINGTON'S, the feature documentary, THE G-FORCE, and the award-winning LGBTQ+ feature, HANNAH FREE, starring Sharon Gless.
Chicago Filmmakers' Golden Anniversary Celebration and Awards Reception includes live jazz, provided by Le Piano in Rogers Park (6970 N. Glenwood Avenue, Chicago, IL), and a chance to network with major talents, both established and emerging, while enjoying delectable hors d'oeuvres and bubbly libations.
Tickets available at ChicagoFilmmakers.org .
Direct Link: www.chicagofilmmakers.org/upcoming-screenings-and-events/chifilm50
About Chicago Filmmakers
Chicago Filmmakers is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established in 1973 now celebrating its 50th year Golden Anniversary. We serve the Chicago filmmaking community by providing low-cost film classes and youth camps, workforce training, and fiscal sponsorship, as well as professional development and networking opportunities. We also serve Chicago audiences with regular screenings of independent films and two annual film festivals: Reeling: The Chicago LGBTQ+ International Film Festival and The Onion City Experimental Film Festival.
