• City Stories

    Back to my roots. Gladly.

    I try to keep the posts here short, snappy and to the point. I’ve been doing this long enough that not only do I not have the energy for a long preamble to set up the post, but you have no interest in it either. So, dear reader, forgive me for what may be some rambling to get to today’s point, as there’s a lot to sift through. Truth is, I have no idea where to start this post. I haven’t written it yet because it’s still very much in progress, and also because I didn’t know how to go about it. There are so many angles I could take.…

  • Cinephilia,  Travel Tales

    A Golden Weekend

    Last week marked the 50th iteration of the Chicago International Film Festival, making it one of the oldest film festivals in the country (NYFF hit 52 this year; San Francisco is already at 57!). For growing up a stone’s throw from the city, I only really attended the festival once I’d moved away and began working in the industry myself, driving up from Indianapolis for a quick weekend trip and a few movies. This year, several of Film Movement’s titles screened in the festival, and as a long-time partner, the organizers were kind enough to invite one of us out for the occasion. As luck would have it, I was in line…

  • Cinephilia

    Watch This: MISS BALA

    In the Fall of 2011, I was in the middle of my run as programmer at the Indy Film Fest, and my curation radar was on high alert. I was seeing more movies than most people see in a decade and no matter how many came my way, I was always looking for the next best one. When I got the opportunity to head up to the Chicago International Film Festival with an Industry credential, I seized it, figuring I’d not only get a chance to spend a weekend home but see a few great films while there. I know I had to have seen at least half a dozen…