Even Thursday is jammed with Chicago film goodness. With Halloween hijinks, a range of film festivals, and a chance to recreate your favorite film moments, Oct. 27-Nov. 3 is a busy week. As always, check schedules for changes.
Thursday, Oct. 27, 2011
Columbia College’s Film Row Cinema participates in the Chicago Festival of Israeli Cinema, offering a double feature beginning at 5:00 p.m.: “Strangers No More” and “77 Steps,” featuring a Q&A with filmmaker Ibtisam Mara’ana between films. Admission: $9.00.
The Festival of New Spanish Cinema kicks off at the Gene Siskel Film Center, screening “With or Without Love,” a discussion with director Quim Gutierrez, and a reception for ticket-stub holders starting at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $11.00 with discounts available; click here for additional titles.
Though the 20th Century Fox “Million Moments: Great Moments, Great Causes” tour doesn’t arrive until Oct. 29, hop on Hollywood Chicago’s site for free passes to the event, where you could be filmed recreating your favorite movie scenes.
Friday, Oct. 28, 2010
The International Children’s Film Festival continues with screenings for older kids and teens at Facets Multimedia Cinematheque Friday night, and then for children of all ages over the weekend throughout Chicago.
The weekend-long Englewood Film Festival, hosted by Chicago South-Sider Mark Harris at Lindblom Math & Science Academy, starts with a reception at 6:00 p.m. followed by a screening of “The Saints of Mount Christopher.” The festival continues with panel discussions and additional screenings. Tickets are $8.00 for adults, $3.00 for kids, with kids’ tickets available at the door only.
Scares abound with “The Devil’s Rain,” hosted by Chris Damen at Facets at midnight ($5.00); the Halloween “Rocky Horror Picture Show” at the Music Box Theater (there is also a midnight showing of “Zombie” for those less musically inclined); and a slew of horror classics at Portage Theater, an event complete with a $200-prize adult costume contest.
Saturday Oct. 29, 2011
The 22nd Annual Film Festival of Iran nears its conclusion at the Gene Siskel Film Center with the double feature of “Baha’is in Iran” and “A Tale of Two Soldiers,” featuring the directors at both screenings of the shorter-length documentaries.
For thrills, “The Frighteners,” hosted by Dominick Mayer, shows at Facets.
Monday, Oct. 31, 2011
Local history buffs can catch a screening of “Maxwell Street: A Living Memory” hosted by producer Shuli Eshel and book author Roger Schatz at the Wilmette Theater at 10:30 a.m.; tickets are $10.00 in advance, $12.00 at the door.
Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2011
First Tuesdays at Landmark Century Centre Cinema highlights films by Midwestern filmmakers. This month it’s “The Last Rites of Joe May,” with networking at 6:00 p.m. and the film at 7:30 p.m.
The Italian film series continues at Italian Cultural Institute of Chicago with a free screening of “Nights of Cabiria” at 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2011
The plight of American education gets a view and a cast/director discussion with “American Teacher” at Facets at 7:00 p.m.
Fans of student films can take in the Take 1 Film Festival at Columbia College, where juried student films will screen after a 5:30 p.m. reception. The event is free and open to the public.
Thursday, Nov. 3
The 30th annual Reeling Film Festival, the world’s second-oldest LGBT film fest, opens with “The Wise Kids,” directed by Chicagoan Stephen Cone, at the Music Box. The festival runs through Nov. 12 at six area theaters.
Venue Addresses and Contact Details:
Columbia College Film Row Cinema, Film Row Cinema, 1104 S. Wabash, 8th Floor, Chicago, IL – (312) 369-6815
Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N. State Street, Chicago, IL – (312) 846-2800
Facets Multimedia Cinematheque, 1517 W. Fullerton Ave. Chicago, IL – (773) 281-4114
Lindblom Math & Science Academy, 6130 South Wolcott, Chicago, IL
The Music Box Theater, 3733 North Southport Avenue, Chicago, IL – (773) 871-6604
Portage Theater, 4050 North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, IL – (773) 736-4050
Wilmette Theater, 1122 Central Ave., Wilmette, IL – (847) 251-7424
Landmark Century Centre Theater, 2828 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL – (773) 509-4949
Italian Cultural Institute of Chicago, 500 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 1450, Chicago, IL – (312) 822-9545
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