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The Black ad community celebrates the premiere of Channels Changers
Members of the advertising community gathered at the Gene Siskel Center on Monday evening to honor the veterans and icons of Chicago’s Black ad agencies, whose legacies are now documented in the heartfelt film Channels Changers. Produced by Gypsy Chicago Productions, Channels Changers introduces viewers to the largely unseen...
WLS News Director Jennifer Graves Retires
Jennifer Graves, who served as vice president of news for Chicago’s ABC-owned station WLS, retired June 21 after an impressive 32-year career with the station, including nearly 23 years as news director. Reflecting on her impact, John Idler, president and general manager of ABC7 Chicago, praised Graves: “Her leadership...
New short film is queer love letter to Chicago basketball
Directed by Camp Lucky’s Sai Selvarajan, the short film We Clap For Airballs delves into the transformative impact of Swish, Chicago’s first QTBIPOC-centered basketball meet-up, showcasing the deep sense of healing and unity it has brought to the community. The film, currently enjoying a successful festival run, premiered...
Director Zoe Malhotra joins Dictionary Films
Dictionary Films has signed Indian-American director Zoe Malhotra has signed with the company for representation in the U.S. Midwest. The announcement was made by Dictionary’s Managing Director Brian Smego. Specializing in human-driven storytelling, Malhotra has already earned both Emmy and Webby nominations for her work. She has directed for...
Laughlin Constable adds Vincent Geraghty to head HIVE Content Studio
Laughlin Constable (LC) welcomes global agency veteran Vincent Geraghty to EVP, Head of Production & HIVE Content Studio, overseeing the agency’s full integrated suite of production and content offerings. Geraghty previously held senior executive production roles at Havas, Ogilvy, Publicis Communications and Leo Burnett. Most recently, he had founded...
Chicago doc tells untold story of city’s Black advertising legends
They are legends in the advertising industry, but surprisingly (not really) the stories of the Black ad men and women who transformed the industry’s predominantly white landscape during the 60s, 70s and 80s remains largely untold. Now that is about to change with Gypsy Chicago Productions’ new documentary Channel Changers.
FCB Chicago wins 7 Cannes Lions for Dramamine
“The Last Barf Bag,” a lighthearted, 12-minute Dramamine mini-documentary which explores the eccentric subculture of air sickness bags by profiling four collectors who show off their treasures, won seven Lions at Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. The film, created and developed by FCB Chicago and produced by directing...
Picture North adds Mac Hedges as Executive Producer
Picture North, the Los Angeles and Chicago-based creative production company and post house, bolsters its strong run by adding Mac Hedges as Executive Producer. Formerly the Executive Director at Stept Studios, Hedges will be spearheading Picture North’s talent and new business search, developing agency and direct-to-brand leads, and expanding its global reach.
Jesse Lee Soffer joins FBI: International
Jesse Lee Soffer has been announced as a series regular for Season 4 of CBS’s FBI: International. The surprise addition comes following Luke Kleintank’s departure from the show last season. Soffer, known for his long-running role as Detective Jay Halstead on Chicago P.D., will not be reprising this...
Weber Shandwick wins Cannes Grand Prix for Pop-Tarts
The 71st Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity continues to dazzle as the latest set of Lions were announced during the penultimate Awards Show. In the Brand Experience & Activation Lions, which celebrate comprehensive brand engagement, Pop-Tarts’ ‘The First Edible Mascot’ by Weber Shandwick claimed the Grand Prix.
Still fetch 20 years later: Celebrating Mean Girls
Two decades ago, on April 30, 2004, a high school comedy named Mean Girls hit theaters and quickly became a cultural touchstone. Directed by Mark Waters and written by Tina Fey, the film was a sharp, witty take on the dynamics of teenage life and the perils of high school cliques.
Putney launches AI Chatbot for Juneteenth education
Celebrated on June 19th, Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. This holiday has been observed by Black Americans for nearly 160 years but was only made a federal holiday in 2021 by President Joe Biden. Over the past four years, many Black Americans have been tasked...
FCB Chicago wins Grand Prix at Cannes for Dramamine’s Barf Bag
Congrats to FCB Chicago! The agency won the Health & Wellness Grand Prix for its campaign for anti-nausea brand Dramamine at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity on Monday. “The Last Barf Bag,” a lighthearted, 12-minute mini-documentary from the Interpublic Group of Cos. agency and directing collective Sunny Sixteen,...
Accepting submissions for the first Oak Park IL Film Festival
Eligible filmmakers are encouraged to submit to the first Oak Park, IL Film Festival, taking place Saturday September 14th at Madison Street Theater 1010 Madison St., Oak Park. The all-day festival will focus on independent films that have an Oak Park connection. The connection could be through a cast or...
Power Book IV: Force will end after Season 3
A representative of STARZ has confirmed with Reel Chicago that Season 3 of Power Book IV: Force, which is currently filming in Chicago, will be the final season. Showrunner and executive producer Gary Lennon and lead Joseph Sikora have also confirmed that this will be the end of Force. Lennon...
Filmscape 2024 list of classes and map of the showroom
Filmscape Chicago brings together filmmakers, artists, technicians, and students from across Chicago and the greater Midwest for two days of networking, education, and training – all completely for free, at CineCity Studios 1414 S Western Ave, on the weekend of June 22-23. The Filmscape showroom displays the best of...
Taking the Red Pill: Celebrating The Matrix 25 years later
In 1999, Lilly and Lana Wachowski asked movie audiences to take a red pill and join them on a ground-breaking sci-fi journey, The Matrix. Thankfully audiences did and we woke up to a film that would not only redefine the science fiction genre, but also leave an indelible mark on popular culture.
Sundance Institute X Chicago community partner events
Sundance Institute x Chicago 2024, taking place June 28-30, will make Chicago the first U.S. city to host an independent artist and film weekend in partnership with the Sundance Institute outside of Park City, Utah, the home of the annual prestigious Sundance Film Festival. Choose Chicago, in partnership with the...
Chicago neighborhoods begin celebrating Juneteenth this weekend
Juneteenth, officially Juneteenth National Independence Day, is celebrated annually on June 19. Finally recognized as a Federal Holiday in June of 2021, Juneteenth has been celebrated since 1865, recognizing Black Liberation and the richness of African American culture. This historic date recognizes the true emancipation of all remaining slaves in 1865 after the emancipation proclamation was previously enacted two years prior.
Fencepost adds two editors and a full slate of finishing talent
Fencepost, a progressive Chicago based studio specializing in film and video post-production services for advertisers since 2016, unveils the expansion of its virtual boutique to include the addition of editors Charlotte Carr and Matt Jameson along with a comprehensive lineup of finishing talent. Known for her work cutting visual-effects driven...
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