Burnett again in awards spotlight, winning at AICP

THE AICP NEXT AWARDS held last night in New York as part of AICP Week, presented its 2015 Most Next honor to Leo Burnett’s Allstate’s “Social Savvy Burglar.”  As part of the award, the winner gets to donate a $5,000 grant from the AICP Foundation to an educational institution of its choosing.  The recipient was nonprofit Marwen, which offers offering free, arts-based youth development programs for underserved Chicago students in grades 6-12.

As for Chicago winners: Leo Burnett’s #LikeAGirl for P&G scored in the Next Viral/Web Film and Next Social categories and Taco Bell from DigitasLBi was the winner in the Next Mobile category.

Chicago is being represented by AICP/Midwest president Mark Androw of STORY is president of AICP/Midwest. 

KARTEMQUIN’S ANNUAL SUMMER SOIREE June 26 brings together its illustrious filmmakers and supporters at a private residence in a luxury high rise overlooking picture perfect skyline views. Purchase tickets here.

range from $125 for general ticket to $10,000 as a Social Change Sponsor.  The evening includes cocktails, film, music, hors d’oeuvres and a raffle.

A HOPEFUL SIDEBAR to Gov. Rauner’s suspending the payment of Illinois tax credits. At her first public appearance after being appointed IFO director, Christine Dudley spoke reassuringly about the future of the tax credit, a situation made nervous by Gov. Rauner’s new administration.

At the March 3 Midwest Independent Film Festival, she told the crowd, “You can dispel any rumors to the contrary that the tax credit is there.  It’s here to stay.  Do not worry about it.” 

WE HEAR … The Cavalry Chicago will replace chief creative director Jim Larmon by the end of June. You may recall The Cavalry became agency of record for Coors Light, Coors and other Coors brands, winning it from FCB. Before joining The Cavalry, Larmon was SVP/GCD at DDB working on Bud Light.

Speculation is that well-respected Larmon lost gravitas when distributors rejected Cavalry’s Coors Light summer campaign.

FÉLICITATIONS TO MICHAEL KUTZA, founder/artistic chairman of the Chicago International Film Festival.  The president of the French Republic named him a Knight of the Legion of Honor.  The knighting (with a sword tap on each shoulder?) acknowledges “his outstanding professional achievements as an internationally recognized graphic designer, filmmaker and the founder of the Chicago International Film Festival.” 

In 1802 Napoleon Bonaparte created Legion’Honneur, the highest decoration bestowed by the French government.  A private award ceremony will take place June 16. (Does this mean we have to curtsy?)

NEW CAMERA SYSTEMS will be presented by ProGear Rental and Phase One June 9 at Orbit Studios, where guests will meet guest speaker Christian Gruner, from Phase One camera systems. He will discuss tools in Capture One 8 and the integration with Phase One. New XF camera system also will be shown for the first time in the Midwest.

CHICAGO SCREENWRITERS NETWORK will hold a free meeting Saturday June 6 with LA-based writer/producer Jeff Schimmel, who will introduce a mini-course and Q&A based on his Maximum Screenwriting Chicago for the first time. 

The meeting is free and open to all, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the American Heritage Center, 4626 N. Knox. To reserve a seat, register here.

Then on July 25-26, Schimmel returns to deliver a two-day, eight-hour seminar, hosted by the CSN.

SHARING IS A GOOD THING, so send us news of your latest project, promotion, prize and more to share with the Reel’s growing readership.  Send to ruth@reelchicago.com.