Bill Keaggy is a collector/maker/breaker of things. You can view his collection of 1,900 found grocery lists here. Oh, and he has a neat book published by HOW magazine. How fun … photographs of unspectacular doors, the grand canyon, and sad chairs. I recently saw an exhibition of his work at He Said/She said.

IFP/Chicago Presents:
The Chicago Underground Film Festival and Filmmakers Summit
October 29th to November 2nd
@ The Viaduct Theater, 3111 N. Western Ave.

Premiering on Wednesday, October 29th IFP/Chicago is presenting the “Defiantly independent and deliberately scandalous” (Michael Wilmington, Chicago Tribune) Chicago Underground Film Festival (CUFF). This exciting development in the growth of IFP/Chicago combines CUFF with IFP/Chicago’s 17th Annual Filmmaker Summit for five days of movies, panels, parties, music, and much, much more.

This year’s summit continues our tradition of bringing industry leaders to Chicago to impart their wisdom on our members and other friends and fans of IFP/Chicago. Our intimate audience sizes allow for unparalleled access to our speakers, including influential SXSW programmer and digital rights expert, Matt Dentler! Joining with CUFF has not completely transformed our Summit but has certainly enhanced it by bringing filmmakers from around the country to participate in panel discussions and bring new networking opportunities along with them! See below for the full lineup.

Check out our press coverage online at the Chicago Sun-Times or in this week’s Chicago Reader.

The full schedule, information about the films, and our Summit Lineup are available now; buy your tickets today! Visit www.cuff.org.

The Lineup!

Friday, October 31: Production and Technology

TUG: Anatomy of a Red Camera Project: 11:00 to 12:30
Hopwood DePree, Christina Varotsis, Adam StoneSteven Soderbergh calls it the camera he has been waiting for his whole career. Fresh from the recently wrapped production of the low budget feature film Tug, which was filmed in Holland, Michigan using the Red Camera, cinematographer Adam Stone, producers Hopwood Dupree and Christina Varotsis, and Tom Fletcher from Fletcher Camera will examine the practical considerations involved in using the camera touted by Wired Magazine to be the first digital camera that matches the detail and richness of analog film.

The Digital Intermediate Workflow: 12:45 to 2:15
Moderator: Ericka Frederick (Kodak)
Carol Schaffner (Astro), Scott Stevens (Kodak), Charlie Langrall (Filmworkers Club) and Mike Matusek (Nolo Digital Film)

Digital intermediate (DI) technology is evolving as an exciting creative tool for filmmakers in both the independent and big-budget arenas. Learn from the front lines of the DI process how to push the envelope and get all the benefits of digital tools for designing the visual palette of your film, while reducing costs and enhancing the quality of the viewing experience. Industry experts show how the digital intermediate process can empower filmmakers at all budget levels, both creatively and financially.

Music and Sound Design: 2:30 to 3:45
Moderator: Mark Messing (Maestro-Matic), Randy Bobo (Spirit Award Winner “Sweetland”), Lou Mallozzi (Experimental Sound Studio),
Liz Storm (Movie Trax)

Low budget filmmakers cannot underestimate the importance of music and sound design in enhancing the movie going experience. In this discussion music supervisors, sound designers and composers will treat us to some of their tricks and secrets that can help overcome the limitations of budget and will look at some of the rights and licensing issues involved in the use of music in movies.

“Night Tide” Case Study: 4:00 to 5:15
Ed Crouse, Mark Toscano (Academy Film Archive), Tom Gunning (University of Chicago)

This panel will examine the adventuresome, macabre and quirky filmography of filmmaker Curtis Harrington. It will also look at the process involved in the restoration of “Night Tide,” Harrington’s fiendishly cultish 1961 tale starring Dennis Hopper in his first film role as sailor Johnny Drake about a dark romance between a sailor and a sideshow performer, who just may be a murderous mermaid.

Break-out Session
Kodak: 3:00

A mini session with Ericka Frederick and Scott Stevens of Kodak who will discuss the latest developments in Kodak film stock with emphasis on the low budget and experimental filmmaker.

Saturday, November 1: Getting Your Movie Seen

Working the Festival Circuit: 10:00 to 11:00 am
Matt Dentler ((formerly of SXSW, currently of Cinetic Media Digital Rights Management)), Kevin Monahgan (Boston Underground),
Donald Harrison (Ann Arbor Film Festival)

For filmmakers and audiences film festivals are a vital point of entry into the international film culture. Learn from festival programmers about the unique aspects of their festivals, does and don’t for festival submissions, and how to relax and enjoy the festival experience

Gallery and Art Film Exhibition: 11:15 to 12:15 pm
Moderator: Amy Beste (School of the Art Institute of Chicago), Abina Manning (Video Data Bank), Donald Young (Donald Young Gallery), Jennifer Reeder (CUFF Filmmaker)

For certain films art galleries and museums may be the best venue in getting a film seen. This discussion will take a truly fresh approach to getting your movie seen as filmmakers, gallery owners and art world representatives explore the world of gallery and art film exhibition.

New Media Exploitation: 12:30 to 1:30 pm
Matt Dentler (Cinetic Digital Rights Management), Tami Yeager (Tribeca Film Institute, ReFrame), Dan Brown (Amazon.com Digital Business Development)

As Hollywood’s corporations and creative talent have squared off over the emerging world of new media, the past year has seen a steady migration of content to the internet as companies and filmmakers alike struggle to adapt to the emerging world of New Media. This panel of New Media experts will examine the challenges and opportunities presented by new media and will address the question of whether filmmakers will be the exploiters or exploited in the Brave New World of New Media.

CUFF Directors Panel: 1:45 to 2:45 pm

The Summit will close with this lively discussion about the creative process, CUFF and everything else featuring an eclectic mix of directors with films in CUFF 2008.

The full schedule, information about the films, and our Summit Lineup are available now; buy your tickets today!

Visit Brown Paper Tickets to buy your passes!

Member Prices:
Opening Night: $20
Includes admission to opening night film, “Anywhere USA” and the Opening night party at The Beat Kitchen (2100 W. Belmont), featuring Alla and Judson Claiborne.

Chicago Underground Film Festival VIP Pass - $200
-This pass will get you in to all panels, films, and parties. Our hospitality coordinator will take care of all your perks, which include drink tickets, a gift bag, and much, much more. Be sure to RSVP with our hospitality coordinator for after parties or special screenings.

Summit Pass Plus: $150
Includes admission to all Summit panels and five CUFF screenings (Does not include special screenings.)

Summit Day Pass: $50
A pass to one day of panels; does not include CUFF screenings.

CUFF Ten Screening Pass: $60
Includes 10 CUFF screenings. Does not include Opening Night or Night Tide at the Gene Siskel.

Visit www.CUFF.org to view a full festival schedule!

*All programming subject to change.

BECOME A MEMBER OF IFP/CHICAGO!
Join us, and get into our growing community of committed filmmakers
and enthusiasts! Visit us at ifpchicago.org!

age and annihilation of the physical body …

the struggle for perfection in the absence of completeness

daniel firman 

- Ben Marcus “The Age of Wire and String”   

Noam Toran.