Help us Widen the Lens!
So far in 2023, we have expanded the
Become a Filmmaker program in so many ways.
Read more below, and please support us with your donation to help us continue programs like these. Any amount can help sponsor film screening tickets, transit & travel, access to filmmaking equipment, and more!
We helped send three young filmmakers to the Cannes Film Festival in person!
We completed post-production on our short film
“I Am Not Your Token,” written and co-directed by Isis Gullette.
The film world premiered and won the Promise Award at the 40th annual Chicago International Children’s Film Festival!
We continued year-round outreach events, helping youth attend film festivals, work with professional mentors, and exhibit their work!
We hope that you will join our Widen the Lens campaign to help make 2024 an even bigger year as we work toward a sustainable future for Chicago’s young filmmakers.
And here’s a quick recap of 2022:
January: We attended virtual Sundance to kickstart our programming, and facilitated a group of Become a Filmmaker youth to see and discuss several films.
February/March: Become a Filmmaker youth watched the Sundance doc Ailey and then got to go see the dance company perform live in concert in downtown Chicago.
May: Our Kickoff Film Event took place inside a stunning 17th-floor basketball court, featuring work from over 10 Chicago filmmakers, including films from our Become a Filmmaker youth!
June: “My Summer Vacation,” the first film produced through our Elevated Filmmaker Fund, the directorial debut from Kelly O’Sullivan, premiered at a Tribeca Film Festival / Rooftop Films event!
July: We produced “I Am Not Your Token,” the first narrative film made by the Become a Filmmaker program, written by 17-year-old Isis Gullette, with our youth filmmakers participating in every department on the production. We also showed the SXSW hit psychothriller Hypochondriac at the beautiful greenspace in Lathrop Chicago, along the river!
August: We showed another SXSW gem, the dark comedy Jethica, at the Music Box Garden!
September-December: We worked on “I Am Not Your Token” post-production, hatched some plans for new programs and new venues, and started putting together our 2023 calendar (stay tuned for announcements in January)!
Your support helps further Elevated Films Chicago’s mission to raise awareness for independent film and create opportunities for youth arts in Chicago, by hosting independent film events showcasing today’s strongest filmmakers and their work, and youth arts mentorship & outreach programs bringing up the next generation of filmmakers.
Please consider making a donation to support the next generation of independent film in Chicago.
We appreciate any amount you are able to give. Thank you!