Author: chicagofilmfestival

Directed by Michael Berry
“Repair Up There” follows a group of Wind Turbine Blade Repair Rope Access Technicians that travel around the world and by utilizing Rope access repair wind turbine blades. This short documentary follows one crew as they complete a fiberglass repair on a wind turbine for Invenergy on a wind farm in Snyder Texas.

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A man struggles to find inspiration for his work. After confronting his inner demon, his art finds a new spark.

Project Links

•  Website
•  Facebook

Director Biography – Ralph Klisiewicz

Ralph was born in Poznan, Poland. At the age of 10 he immigrated to Italy and then moved to the United States two years later. Ralph’s entrance into filmmaking was rather unorthodox. Around 2010, as a musician, he was in need of a musical video. Although several people with a film background helped him get the project started, much of the work fell upon his shoulders. In order to complete the project, Ralph was forced to learn and perform many of the filmmaking tasks. Since that initial project, he has fallen in love with the entire process of filmmaking. He has now produced six short films and several music videos.

Ralph Klisiewicz is inspired by directors like David Fincher, Danny Boyle, and Denis Villeneuve. Ralph holds a M.S. in experimental psychology, and therefore he is interested in exploring deeper, and potentially darker, layers of his characters. He is always seeking a thorough understanding of what motivates and moves his character to behave.

In addition to directing his own films, Ralph has worked as a DOP and an editor for other filmmakers. He strongly believes in building a community of filmmakers and related artists. He looks forward to projects that challenge him and push him to grow.

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UNFINISHED, 3min., India, Crime
Directed by Sudeep Mehta
A crime has been committed. A crime is being committed. A crime might be committed. All seen through found evidence. Or, maybe not, for lost evidence! It’s all ‘Unfinished’

Project Links

•  Website

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PATHLESS, 5min., Belgium, Fashion
Directed by Charlotte Verminck

A poetic translation of the universal feeling at one’s unknown next step in life. It connects to the overwhelming periods of doubtful thoughts yet resilient ambition one may encounter. A visual and aural combination of fear yet fearlessness. Though the soliloquy echoes one’s inner difficulty, the road of life gives aspiration for more, and that road is pathless.

Project Links

•  Website
•  Facebook
•  Instagram

Director Biography – Charlotte Verminck

Charlotte Verminck is a filmmaker born and raised in Belgium. Ever since she was a little girl, she holds an intense excitement for visual and written storytelling. Her Shih Tzu dog, whom she considers her muse, got the starring role in the first few video trailers she has ever shot and edited.

Charlotte owns a Bachelor’s degree in International Communication and Media. While she completed her studies, Charlotte worked as a video artist for Belgian musician and artist Ozark Henry. She discovered her deep passion for film during her stay in Los Angeles interning at Little Minx, a production company located in Hollywood.

After she graduated, Charlotte immediately started to deepen herself in the world of cinema making her debut with “Pathless” taking on the role of writer, director, cinematographer, producer, and editor. She completed this short film without studying at a film school but learned from a cinematography course, online masterclasses, and studying her heroes. She believes that anyone can do anything if one just follows their curiosity while continuing the act of never giving up.

Director Statement

Due to the script being so experimental, Charlotte in all respects wanted the film to have the same unique DNA applying unexpected transitions; using various camera gear; adding an original versatile score; and letting the same person play the protagonist and antagonist. This experimental way of storytelling linked her passion for poetry and film.

The message in the protagonist’s soliloquy wants to make the viewer aware that the breaks in life aren’t bad things. These moments enter your existence to teach you something. It makes time to analyze where you wish to head next in this world. It’s a blessing to be “pathless” because it indicates you can go wherever you want to move planting seeds where YOU genuinely desire. In short, this film is a love letter to life.

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AUTISM ACROSS THE GLOBE, 100min., Lebanon, Documentary
Directed by Rima Joseph Irani

An inspiring and insightful journey to over 20 countries, opening your eyes and heart to Autistic individuals. Learn about their challenges, environment and social life. Discover their strengths, talents and unique abilities. Autistic people share their experiences, feelings and desires. Families discuss therapies and support that made a difference in their child’s life. Teachers describe strategies that help their students learn and perform at their best. Employers state how they modify the workplace to help them perform at their best potential. Specialists highlight their studies. “Autism across the globe” takes viewers on the most heartfelt, emotional and educational journey. It is meant to be the catalyst for a worldwide change, aiming to improve autism awareness and acceptance.

Showcase of the best SHORT FILMS in the world today.

AUDIENCE AWARD WINNERS:
Best Film: COMPEL
Best Performances: EXILE
Best Cinematography: DAMASCENE
Best Sound & Music: VELCRO: A STUDY IN POLYVAGAL EQUINE
Best Direction: HOME VIDEO
Twist Film of the Year: GREENHORN

Theme of night: Life

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EXILE, 15min., USA, Drama

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GREENHORN, 11min., USA, Drama

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COMPEL, 17min., USA, Drama

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HOME VIDEO, 15min., Drama

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VELCRO: A STUDY IN POLYVAGAL EQUINE, 6min., USA, Documentary

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DAMASCENE, 15min., Syrian Arab Republic, Drama/War

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Directed by
Mimi Chakarova

Listen to podcast interview with Mimi: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/wildsound-the-film-podcast/id1406973270?i=1000546683968

An honest, at times absurd, conversation about being a Black woman in America, “The Mirror” is a short animated film that weaves the personal stories, experiences and reflections of nine Black women talking about their interactions with white people. On the subject of swimming, “Black people have no buoyancy,” says one white woman with assurance. “Your people have an inability to master the proper use of the English language,” says another. “The Mirror” is a revealing and unapologetic take on what it is like to be a Black woman in America.

Director Statement

I was inspired to do this movie by listening to a report of a murder that occurred during the civil conflict in Damascus-Syria. This report led me to investigate the suspects and the victim.
I found contradicting information on social media: one post advocated the innocence of the suspects, claiming a drug overdose had killed the victim; while posts on the victims’ page denied the allegations.
The victim had, however, been kidnapped prior to his death, the reason for the kidnapping is unclear. Was it done for monetary or personal reasons?
Sources claim the victim lived in an area that opposed the Al-Assad regime.
The “Damascene” film highlights the effects of war on the psyche of the younger generation, and the impact of the normalization of violence, inflicted by those with political interests.

What are the reasons behind the general mistrust within Syrian society after 2011?
Citizens are accusing each other of various crimes, whether innocent or not. Subsequent arrests follow… Creating a guilty-until-proven-innocent system.

The film location is the Funkhaus building, in Berlin, as it is quite similar to a war-torn building in Damascus.

As the writer, producer, and director, the coordination of untrained actors’, and designers’ work is vital to a fresh cinematic interpretation. However, all of the choices I had made, throughout the production process, were carried out by teamwork.

Working with a varied international crew was challenging, because of the different cultures, languages, and backgrounds. Regardless, everyone was really invested in a film about the Syrian war.
As I am a film production student, at Catalyst Institute For Technology And Art, I was able to acquire the equipment for two days’ shooting.

In short, the purpose of this film is to show the audience how the political situation has been a source of anxiety, dread, and hopelessness. The reason that drove generations to take drugs, as a method of escapism from the brutal reality of dealing with violence, and the destruction of friendships.