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Overview
The Chicago Lesbian and Gay International Film Festival is the
second oldest film festival of its kind in the U.S. and prides
itself on showcasing the best lesbian and gay films and videos
from around the world. From international feature films to social
issue documentaries to experimental shorts, Reeling has always
presented a range of genres that demonstrates the rich diversity
of work being produced. The festival is not only one of the most
important cultural events for Chicago audiences, it also attracts
many people from throughout the Midwest who consider the festival
to be the highlight of their cinematic year.
Reeling 2004 will present approximately 50 screenings over 8
days, from November 4-11, 2004. We invite you to enter this year's
festival and ask you to please take a moment to read through our
Festival Regulations and Entry Procedures before you enter your
work. Should you be unable to comply with any of the festival
regulations, please contact us before entering your work to discuss
the problem. We will do our best to work with you to insure that
you have an opportunity to have your work screened.
History
The first Chicago Lesbian and Gay International Film Festival
took place in April 1981 in Chicago Filmmakersí 90-seat folding-chair
screening room on West Hubbard Street. The festival sold out nearly
every screening, leaving audiences demanding more. The enthusiasm
for the festival led to a commitment on the part of Chicago Filmmakers
to continue the festival as an annual event.
Mission
The festival provides a unique opportunity for the celebration
of lesbian and gay identity for a community too often misrepresented
or ignored in mainstream film and television. The mission of Reeling
is to recognize the important artistic contributions that lesbian
and gay filmmakers have made to our culture; to educate the general
population and sensitize them to lesbian and gay issues; to investigate
the history of gays and lesbians in film, including the stereotyping
that has been a major part of this history; and to counteract
this stereotyping with valid, meaningful and diverse portrayals
of gays and lesbians.
Community Involvement
Dedicated volunteers from the lesbian and gay communities play
an integral role in producing Reeling. Volunteers participate
on one or more subcommittees which address programming, fund raising,
public relations, advertising, and hospitality; these individuals
are not only a group of hard-working volunteers, they are also
a representative body through which the diverse voices of the
lesbian and gay communities can be expressed and heard and can
impact the vision and direction of the festival. If you would
like to volunteer, email volunteer4reeling@yahoo.com.
Prizes and Awards
A jury selects films from among the entries to receive cash awards
in the categories of narrative short, dramatic feature, documentary,
and experimental/animation. Prizes are Reelingís way of helping
to support the work of lesbian and gay film and videomakers, recognizing
the value of their work to the larger lesbian and gay and media
arts communities.
Chicago Filmmakers
Chicago Filmmakers, a 30 year-old not-for-profit media arts organization
under section 501(c)3 of the IRS Code produces Reeling. In addition
to Reeling, Chicago Filmmakers also produces The Onion City Experimental
Film and Video Festival. Chicago Filmmakers also supports independent
filmmakers through its Independent Film School and through The
Co-op, which is a production and post-production equipment access
membership program. Chicago Filmmakers has been a leader in innovative
media arts programming since 1973, and continues to be one of
the most respected media arts centers in the country.
Funding
Chicago Filmmakers receives funding from the National Endowment
for the Arts, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation,
the Illinois Arts Council, and a City Arts 3 Grant from the City
of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs for support of its diverse
media arts programs.
Contact Information
Brenda Webb
Festival Director, Reeling 2004
Chicago Filmmakers
5243 North Clark Street, 2nd Floor
Chicago, Illinois 60640
Tel: 773.293.1447
Email: reeling@chicagofilmmakers.org
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