Chicago City Wire

Choose Chicago and the City of Chicago, in collaboration with the nonprofit Sundance Institute, have announced the programming details for the inaugural Sundance Institute x Chicago event. Scheduled from June 28 to June 30, this event will feature a selection of films and panel discussions aimed at celebrating filmmaking and supporting creative independence within Chicago's cultural sector. Tickets for all screenings, panel discussions, and master classes are now available on SundanceInstitutexChicago.com.

"Chicago's dynamic cultural scene is an ideal backdrop for this special collaboration with the Sundance Institute," stated Rich Gamble, Interim President and CEO at Choose Chicago. "We are proud to partner with the City of Chicago and the Sundance Institute to produce a new, only-in-Chicago experience that celebrates diverse storytelling and supports our brilliant local community of filmmakers."

Clinée Hedspeth, Commissioner of the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, which includes the Chicago Film Office, remarked, "This event is a significant addition to Chicago's cultural calendar, offering unique insights into the filmmaking process and fostering discussions that inspire and challenge audiences. Our city is admired worldwide for its culture, and this festival will further spotlight Chicago as a vibrant filmmaking hub with existing and emerging talent and voices to be celebrated.”

Founded by Robert Redford in 1981 to foster new voices in independent storytelling, the nonprofit Sundance Institute is renowned globally. It operates the Sundance Film Festival while providing year-round support to filmmakers through artist labs, direct grants, and educational events.

Eugene Hernandez, Festival Director at Sundance Institute said: "We are honored to invite the Chicago community...to experience a taste of the Sundance Institute for a few days next month. We're excited...to engage with emerging artists and film-lovers from Chicagoland and beyond through screenings, workshops, and speaking programs."

Tickets for screenings during Sundance Institute x Chicago 2024 will be priced at $20 each. A portion of proceeds will benefit the Chicago Alliance of Film Festivals (CAFF), supporting their member festivals.

Karen Cardarelli from Facets Multi-Media expressed gratitude: “On behalf of CAFF’s members...we are extremely grateful for this meaningful support from [the] Sundance Institute...[These funds] will help our members further CAFF’s collective goal to enhance [our communities’] cultural...vitality.”

The three-day event will include Midwest premiere screenings such as:

- **Luther: Never Too Much** - Directed by Dawn Porter.

- **Sugarcane** - Directed by Julian Brave NoiseCat.

- **A Different Man** - Directed by Aaron Schimberg.

- **Your Monster** - Directed by Caroline Lindy.

In addition to film screenings:

- Panel Discussions like "Playing for Keeps: How Development Labs could be..." (June 29) featuring Ilyse McKimmie (Sundance), Angie Gaffney (521 Films), Elijah McKinnon (OTV).

- Master Classes including “Sundance Institute Short Film Master Class” presented by United Airlines on June 29 & 30.

Community programming was developed in partnership with Choose Chicago alongside local advisory board members. An operations team led by NK Gutiérrez and Ana Garcia Doyle has been assembled locally.

All venues are equipped with accessible devices ensuring an inclusive experience. Further details can be found on their official website.

Press credentials can be applied for covering this event via ChooseChicago.com or contacting them directly.

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