Chicago Actors Meetup celebrates 10th anniversary

On August 18, the Chicago Acting in Film Meetup will mark its 10th anniversary with a celebration and fundraiser in the restaurant and lounge connected to the historic Davis Theater, the Carbon Arc Bar & Board, from 7:30-9:30 p.m.

Open to CAFM members as well as the production community and the general public, admission includes a drink ticket for the first hour followed by a cash bar for the remainder of the evening in the movie-themed Lincoln Square venue. The price is $25 now through August 11, $30 between August 12-17, and $35 at the door.

CAFM was formed exactly ten years to the day of the event by actor/producer Grace McPhillips, who sought to address the disparity between pay rates that she and another actor were paid for performing the same role in a corporate healthcare film.

CAFM Fundraising Committee Co-Chair Adria Dawn and Board President Matt Schaefer at the 2016 Holiday HurrahSince then, the organization has hosted more than a hundred members-only monthly educational meetups with panels and presentations by industry notables including John McNaughton, Nicole Bernardi-Reis, Angie Gaffney, and Julian Grant. It has also arranged exclusive tours of Cinespace Studios, The Colonie, The Onion, 2112, and The Hangar.

According to former Board Vice President and current Board Emeritus Steve Scholz, CAFM’s relevance benefits from and contributes to the synergy between individuals and companies in Chicago’s film industry.

“CAFM succeeds because of our members and the community’s support,” he says. “We welcome all film industry professionals at our party, along with current and former members, because we enjoy building this community together.”

The organization also hosts regular public and industry events, including Summer Socials, Holiday Hurrahs, CIMMFest panels, and the Actors Clothing Swap.

If the August 18 party and fundraiser is anything like previous celebrations, the attending actors and producers, directors and writers, composers, film buffs and camera operators will create a level of energy that dramatically exceeds the mood of typical networking events.

August 18, 7:30-9:30 p.m., Carbon Arc Bar & Board, 4614 N. Lincoln Ave. For ticket and additional information, click here.