On September 25th, 2009 IFP/Chicago will host its third annual Independent Film Gala 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. We are thrilled to have award-winning producer Effie T. Brown as our Guest Host and NBC 5’s LeeAnn Trotter as our Emcee for the night, as 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.

2009 Independent Film Gala Host Committee

Jonathan Towers
Anonymous
Irene Michaels
Steven Conrad
Michael A. Foster
Anonymous
Gigi Pritzker
Tony Loquercio
Thea Flaum
Nick Patel
Howard A. and Judith Tullman
Gregory Rothman
Betsy Steinberg
Joe McInerney