The Chicago Film Office’s Beckie Stocchetti will explain application details about CFO/DCASE’s new Filmmaker-in-Residency Program, today, Aug. 9 at the Chicago Film Office, 78 E. Randolph, room 108, starting at 7 p.m.
The residency program is part of the city’s first Independent Film Initiative (IFI), that was devised by the CFO’s director Rich Moskal and Stocchetti, Cultural Affairs coordinator overseeing indie and local film incentives.
“Chicago is not just a destination for filmmakers. For many, it’s home,” says Moskal. “We want to retain and grow this community by shining a brighter light on the film and media makers who live and work here, by providing them with stepped-up support, advocacy and opportunity.
“Our Independent Film Initiative and filmmaker-in-residence programs are new and exciting steps in that direction.”
The CFO Filmmaker-in-Residency recipient will receive a $10,000 cash grant, allotted from the CFO budget, plus industry discounts on equipment rentals and permits, meeting space and other incentives to assist in completing their original work. An advisory team of established industry professionals will mentor the resident.
Stocchetti also will present details about the Producers Apprenticeship program.
Providing five Chicago-based filmmakers hands-on experience working on the resident filmmaker’s project in a two week paid position. They will be introduced to the city’s many active film organizations to help expand their industry knowledge. Applications will be available Aug. 15 through Sept. 15 here.
Stocchetti, considered one of Chicago’s foremost indie film experts, joined DCASE in March from two years as Kartemquin’s director of engagement and programs.
She has also programmed indie films, serves as a guest speaker, panelist and juror for film festivals and film grants and serves on the boards of many indie film organizations. She has a degree in Cinema and Media Studies from the University of Chicago. She may be reached here.
