Author: chicagofilmfestival

In her later years, Aria finds herself plagued by traumatic memories from her past. But when her daughter reveals her ex-husband will reveal the truth, Aria fears what will happen. Things are made worse still when she catches sight of her ex-partner Emily. But determined to rise above it, she embraces her daughter’s attempts to get her out of her comfort zone.

CAST LIST:

Narrator: Shawn Devlin
Anna: Hannah Ehman

When the paths of the 11th Pennsylvania Civil War regiment and an American Staffordshire Terrier pup intertwine, the men of the 11th’s lives are changed in ways they never could’ve predicted.

CAST LIST:

Narrator: Hannah Ehman
R. Coulter: Shawn Devlin
Captain Terry: Geoff May

Showcase of the best FILMS in the world today.

Audience Awards:
Best Short Film: Cheat Meal
Best Micro-Short: REVOLTE
Best Direction: More Than
Best Story: My Block My Hero
Best Performances: For All I Know
Best Documentary: My Block My Hero
Best New Media Film: Beehold
Best Animation: ORANGE BLUES 24
Best Genre Film: The Litterbug
Best Drama Film: Rock Island Prison 1864

See info for each film:

ORANGE BLUES 24, 5min., USA
Directed by Alyssa Dann
One man seeks refuge from the world’s crazy in the arms of his muse — the love of his life! Alyssa Dann has taken this tongue-in-cheek Blues piece and brought it to life in a charming manner.

https://oledudesongs.com/

Watch NOW – the audience feedback video.

REVOLTE, 3min., Germany
Directed by Julia Klawonn, Alexander Resch
In 1932, the author Klara and the journalist Friedrich meet in the artists’ bar „Luise” in Berlin. Klara is involved in the women’s movement and wants Friedrich to help her print leaflets with the text: “Against the degradation of women by fascism”. Friedrich is afraid…

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Cheat Meal, 16min., USA
Directed by Drew Bierut
Suspicious that his girlfriend is cheating on him with her new personal trainer, Owen decides to take matters into his own hands. What he discovers is far more difficult to digest.

https://www.instagram.com/drewbierut/

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The Litterbug, 9min., USA
Directed by Jesse Womack
Park Ranger Charlie and her young recruit Ranger Casey track down a serial litterer, the Litterbug.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt28315183/
https://www.instagram.com/jessewoooooomack/

Watch NOW – the audience feedback video.

Rock Island Prison 1864, 7min,. USA
Directed by Joy Shannon
Guarding Confederate POWS in a Civil War prison, a runaway slave now Union soldier, desperately fights for power, or faces returning to slavery.

https://www.rockislandprison.com/

Watch NOW – the audience feedback video.

For All I Know, 10min., USA
Directed by Sam Sabawi
An unexpected visit from her estranged daughter throws a pharmacist with OCD into a maelstrom of her darkest fears. As a buried history of postpartum intrusive thoughts resurfaces, she faces a harrowing choice: confront them or risk losing the chance to repair their broken relationship.

https://www.instagram.com/s_sabawi/

Watch NOW – the audience feedback video.

More Than, 19min,. USA
Directed by Stephanie Strauss
After a year of aggressive treatment for metastatic breast cancer, Nina is processing her past trauma and her unexpected future. When a team of artists offer her a unique opportunity to explore healing through the performing arts, Nina is gifted a new perspective of her experience. “More Than” follows the creative process of translating a personal story into art, and the emotional impact it can have on the storyteller.

Watch NOW – the audience feedback video.

Space Trash, 9min,. USA
Directed by James Jarosz
Short film and first installment of web series. A galactic garbage collector picks up a seemingly innocuous piece of space junk but it turns out to be more than he bargained for. This sci-fi action comedy will have you laughing, entertained and wanting more.

https://www.instagram.com/jimbrokenreelpics

Watch NOW – the audience feedback video.

My Block My Hero, 25min., USA
Directed by Gina D’Onofrio
Jahmal Cole is the founder of My Block My Hood My City, a Chicago-based non-profit with a mission to inspire youth and empower local communities. He has been shot twice in his day-to-day life, an unfortunate reality that the teenagers and communities he has dedicated the organization to uplifting face on a daily basis in the murder capital of the United States. By leading community-driven efforts, Cole has made it his goal to build a better world one block at a time, while positively impacting the lives of the teens who grow up there. Through the Explorers program, My Block My Hood My City enables youth from Chicago’s divested neighborhoods to discover the world beyond their blocks, by taking them on enriching experiences across the city and the country that open the doors to new possibilities. In their latest adventure, the Explorers went behind the scenes at the Shedd Aquarium to learn how researchers are working to preserve the world’s endangered coral reefs.

http://www.youreverydayheroes.com/https://www.instagram.com/youreverydayheroes/

Watch NOW – the audience feedback video.

Beehold, 18min., USA
Directed by Ben Berry
From his work with local nuns looking for answers about their barren apple trees to his consulting with golf courses in natural habitat management to classrooms, and his own design workshop – he is a true beeliever in the good story – the gospel of abundance as taught by bees and he’s helping protect Wisconsin’s beloved pollinators. It’s called Behold and our story starts here. Humm Productions, in collaboration with Mtn Craft Productions, has pioneered a new media format called DocuPod™. It combines the power of short, immersive documentaries with engaging podcast audio to create a captivating 360-degree experience for audiences.

https://www.hummproductions.org/episodes/
https://www.instagram.com/impactually_show/

Watch NOW – the audience feedback video.