On September 25th, 2009 IFP/Chicago will host its third annual Independent Film Gala will at theWIT Hotel, Chicago’s most recently opened luxury boutique hotel. The evening will be launched by a VIP reception at 6:00pm, followed by The Independent Film Gala at 6:30pm. There will be food, drinks and entertainment, along with amazing silent and live auctions. The evening promises to be a fabulous networking opportunity, while continuing with its reputation as eventful and inspiring.

This year’s honoree is Towers Productions, in celebration of their 20th Anniversary and dedication to production in the Midwest.  Towers Productions Inc. has produced over one thousand hours of factual and entertainment programming for networks around the world, such as A&E, Animal Planet, Bio, CNN, and Discovery Channel, to name a few.  TPI is part of the multi-media group Towers Holdings, Inc., whose activities also include branded entertainment, equipment rentals, media services and program distribution.

All proceeds will go to expand IFP/Chicago’s services and programs serving the filmmaking community throughout the Midwest, including a successful mentorship program focused on supporting underserved youth. The IFP/Chicago mentorship program produces a completely student-created film each year with students from The Chicago Vocational Career Academy. Due to the success of last year’s Gala, IFP/Chicago was able to add a second school to the roster.

IFP/Chicago’s entirely student-produced films have won the Student Award of Excellence for Technical Achievement from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for the past two years, making CVCA the second school in history to win the award twice. The films, The Last Stain and Hush, can be viewed at the IFP/Chicago website.

To purchase tickets/raffle tickets to the 2009 Independent Film Gala, Click Here!

For more information about sponsorship, joining the Host Committee or becoming a part of the 2009 Independent Film Gala please contact Colleen O’Neill, Director of Development.

16th CHICAGO UNDERGROUND FILM FESTIVAL
Chicago, Illinois - USA
September 10 - 13 2009
at the Gene Siskel Film Center

The 16th Annual CHICAGO UNDERGROUND FILM FESTIVAL (CUFF), one of Chicago’s leading film events, and a must-attend festival for cutting-edge filmmakers with defiantly independent visions.

CUFF stands out on the festival circuit for having a unique programming niche, and garnering a following among hipsters, media, and industry alike. Each year, CUFF presents an accessible, savvy program of film and video exploring the many definitions and interpretations of the ‘underground’ concept. Selected films often ignore limitations of genre, and are made with passion and drive; alternative music films, political agitprop, formal experimentation, and high camp are not uncommon elements of the Festival program.

Past CUFF films, producers, and filmmakers have received honors and offers as a direct result of exposure gained and connections made at the Festival. Programming highlights from years past include premieres of NICE BOMBS, DANIELSON: A FAMILY MOVIE, Oscar-nominated documentary THE WEATHER UNDERGROUND, MONKS - THE TRANSATLANTIC FEEDBACK, and BLOOD CAR. Additionally, numerous CUFF films have gone on to receive theatrical distribution.

DEADLINES

June 15 2009 – Final Deadline

MORE ABOUT THE FESTIVAL

CUFF is a great time for attendees, filmmakers, and industry, where screenings are followed by great nights of parties, events and concerts. In Roger Ebert’s words, ‘What you get for your money is not just admission to the films but admission to a subculture.’

What people are saying about the Chicago Underground Film Festival:

‘The Chicago Underground Film Festival has spent 15 years earning a viable reputation as a mecca for avant-garde and anti-establishment feature filmmaking, as well as a Midwest platform for the year’s festival circuit hits.’ - Matt Dentler (former SXSW Film Fest producer)

‘The Chicago Underground Film Festival is the city’s most eclectic yet best curated fest. Director and co-founder Bryan Wendorf has a knack for uncovering work that startles, upsets and spellbinds.’ - Bill Stamets, Chicago Sun-Times

‘What you get for your money is not just admission to the films but admission to a subculture’ - Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

‘I like the word ‘underground’ as in the Chicago Underground Film Festival. The word ‘independent’ carries a stigma of whininess. ‘Underground’ means a good time.’ - John Waters

‘Defiantly independent and deliberately scandalous’ - Michael Wilmington, Chicago Tribune

‘If you care at all about the state of culture on the margins, this is probably the most important project in the country reflecting its evolution’ - Lumpen Magazine

‘The most refreshingly offbeat film event in Chicago’ - Adam Langer, The Film Festival Guide

‘A cultural mainstay on its home turf’ - Ray Pride, Filmmaker Magazine

‘Without CUFF my movie would not be coming out in America’ - Peter Hall, Director of DELINQUENT

‘I’d like to think the work Chris Gore and I did at Film Threat helped inspire the lunatics behind CUFF but now they’re the ones inspiring me…not just a great ‘underground’ festival but a great film festival PERIOD.’ - Dave Williams, former editor FILM THREAT

‘What can be said about CUFF that hasn’t already been written on every men’s room wall in Chicago? The ultimate late summer party? A film fix for the celluloid junkies? Free food? Take your pick…’ - Producer Jim Dwyer

‘I had the best time of my life at this festival. Your lives are so much better than all those people who think they’re having a good time in Hollywood’ - Penelope Spheeris, Hollywood Filmmaker

‘CUFF gave me hope for the future’ - George Kuchar, Underground Filmmaker

‘There are still a few out there for whom the indie flame burns bright. Right on!’ - Peter Howell, Toronto Star