CHICAGO, IL ( September 11, 2014 ) — Bold, symbolic and undeniably unlike anything seen before from the world-renowned photographer Victor Skrebneski, The Chicago International Film Festival unveiled its 50th anniversary reimagining of the iconic 1974 Festival T-shirt poster on Wednesday, September 10 at Expo 72 ( 72 E. Randolph St., Chicago ). Famed Chicago photographer Skrebneski attended the unveiling and signed posters for guests.
Evoking both the history and evolution of the Festival's fifty years, the poster, entitled "The Next Generation," features the playful image of Noah and Braden wearing the Festival T-shirts. The iconic T-shirt poster is the centerpiece of a special gallery exhibition, "Because Everybody Loves Movies," an expansive display of posters, images and videos from the Festival's venerable five-decade history. The exhibition features additional Skrebneski photographs of celebrities who have graced the Festival over the years. Produced in partnership with the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events ( DCASE ) and sponsored by Dark Horse Wine, the exhibition also presents candid glimpses from behind the scenes, memorabilia, and posters from major film festivals around the world.
"Victor has been a friend and supporter of the Festival from the very beginning," said Festival Founder and Artistic Director Michael Kutza. "Since that day, back in 1965, when I asked him to spice things up for our Festival poster, he has delivered some of the most iconic and memorable images the city has seen. His portraits of such film legends as Sharon Stone, François Truffaut and Orson Welles are timeless. For our 50th anniversary celebration, Victor has shot a poster that is as buzzworthy as his past work for the Festival."
Skrebneski traditionally avoids speaking directly about his photographs and the way that he works. "A picture is about seeing," says Skrebneski. More than a half-century after first exciting the Windy City with his Chicago International Film Festival posters, Skrebneski continues to create work that's strikingly different and dramatic. "Back in the 60s, we created an image that became emblematic of the Chicago International Film Festival," added Skrebneski, "And the only way to go further is to look to the future." Underlying the 50th anniversary reimagining is the kind of forward-thinking philosophy that the photographer has held throughout his 60-year career. "I've truly enjoyed reimagining the poster in honor of the Festival's 50th anniversary," said Skrebneski. His work undeniably speaks for itself.
At the exhibition, visitors enter under the alluring eyes of the iconic logo that has represented the Festival since 1967. Along one wall, guests are greeted by an assortment of four-foot square Skrebneski photographs highlighting the many film icons that have attended the Festival throughout the years, including Kathleen Turner, Bette Davis, Colleen Moore, Oliver Stone, Dennis Hopper, and Liv Ullmann.
The exhibit also includes archival Festival trailers voiced by Ken Nordine and interviews with celebrity honorees and Festival guests. Rounding out the exhibit are iconic photos from past Festivals and a colorful mosaic comprised of posters from other international film festivals, speaking to cinema's global reach.
Sponsored by Dark Horse Wine, the exhibit will be on display until October 30 at Expo 72, 72 E. Randolph St., open to the public Monday—Saturday, 10 a.m.—6 p.m. and Sundays, 11 a.m.—4 p.m.
FESTIVAL SPONSORS
Led by Tourism Partner Illinois Office of Tourism and Presenting Partner Columbia College Chicago, the 50th Chicago International Film Festival's sponsors include Official Airline: American Airlines; Headquarters Hotel: JW Marriott Chicago; Major Partner: Intersites; Participating Partners: AARP, Allstate, Bloomberg, Casale del Giglio, Cultivate Studios, Netrix, Stella Artois; Platinum Media Sponsors: NCM Media Networks, Ingage Media, JC Decaux, Michigan Avenue Magazine.
ABOUT DCASE
The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events ( DCASE ) is dedicated to enriching Chicago's artistic vitality and cultural vibrancy. This includes fostering the development of Chicago's non-profit arts sector, independent working artists and for-profit arts businesses; providing a framework to guide the City's future cultural and economic growth, via the 2012 Chicago Cultural Plan; marketing the City's cultural assets to a worldwide audience; and presenting high-quality, free and affordable cultural programs for residents and visitors.
ABOUT DARK HORSE WINE
At Dark Horse Wine their passion is crafting bold wine that deliver the unexpected. They marshal the best agricultural and winemaking practices from around the world to guarantee the highest quality. Their winemaker, Beth Liston, believes winemaking is a treasure hunt. She is constantly experimenting with different grape varietals and new winemaking techniques. From bold Red Blend to smooth Chardonnay, her passion for creating exceptional wines that out perform their price is unsurpassed.
ABOUT CINEMA/CHICAGO
Cinema/Chicago is a not-for-profit arts and education organization dedicated to encouraging better understanding between cultures and to making a positive contribution to the art form of the moving image. The Chicago International Film Festival is one of the year-round programs presented by Cinema/Chicago, which also include the Chicago International Film Festival Television Awards, CineYouth Festival, INTERCOM Competition, International Screenings Program, and Education Outreach Program. Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, the Chicago International Film Festival is North America's longest-running competitive film festival.
The Festival and its parent organization, Cinema/Chicago, were founded in 1964 by filmmaker and graphic artist Michael Kutza to showcase great international film, which was conspicuously absent from the city's theaters, and to bring celebrated filmmakers from around the globe to Chicago. Over the past half century, as we have grown to become a world-renowned event and evolved to reflect the changing times, the Festival has remained dedicated to its founding vision: to discover new and rising talents in filmmaking and to bring the best in international cinema and the artists behind the work to Chicago audiences. This year's 50th anniversary Festival will feature a selection of "50th anniversary screenings," featuring the work of returning filmmakers presenting past Festival films and/or personal favorites and important repertory films as well as new films by emerging and celebrated filmmakers alike.
The 50th Chicago International Film Festival runs October 9-23, 2014. www.chicagofilmfestival.com .
