INES SOMMER’S DOC “COUNT ME IN” about the innovative national movement of participatory budgeting (PB), that gives Chicagoans direct say over local public projects and money, airs on WTTW / 11 Thursday, Nov. 3.
Filmed over four years, Sommers followed the new political process that allowed community residents to pitch ideas for infrastructure projects in the 49th Ward.
49th Ward Alderman Joe Moore gave his $1 million annual discretionary budget to the movement, “so this was really democracy at the grassroots level and was such a positive and empowering experience for me,” Sommer says.
The project that started in Somrs’ Rogers Park neighborhood only a few years ago is highly recommended by the White House. It has made its way to several other cities, Boston and New York to the Bay area while it actually has spread more slowly here, she adds.
Sommers’ “Count Me In” budget of $175,000 was offset by the $150,000 grant received from the McArthur Foundation in 2014. It was edited by Suzanne Suffredin, who edited many Kartemquin and Kindling Group docs and is now teaching at DePaul.
“ON A BLUES NOTE” is the theme the of the Chicago Film Archive’s Dec. 7 holiday benefit, with special guest Sam Lay, 2015 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee drummer; John Anderson, filmmaker / musician and producer of “Sam Lay in Bluesland;” Corky Siegel, blues pianist / harmonica musician and Dick Shurman, music historian/critic.
Music and party venue Savage Smyth at 920 N. Franklin is hosting the party, 6-9 p.m. Individual tickets $125, couple, $225 may be purchased by calling 312/243-1808.
A CHICAGO-BASED COMPETITION FESTIVAL for worldwide indie filmmakers, the Various Artists Independent Film Festival (VaiFF), has started taking submissions for the inaugural event, slated for October 7-8, 2017 at ShowPlace ICON in the South Loop.
It’s sponsored by Various Artists TV, an independent network and website that streams indie films and shows, under 45-minutes, and viewers vote for their favorites.
Cash prizes and other perks are awarded quarterly to the top nine winning films. VaiFF also provides production services to independent filmmakers or small business owners looking for crews for a film, commercial, web series or music video.
THE 11TH CHICAGO FESTIVAL OF ISRAELI CINEMA, 20 of Israel’s best films starts Tuesday, Nov. 1, with Opening Night’s “Sand Storm,” at the ArcLight Cinemas in The Glen, 1850 Tower Drive, Glenview, at 6 p.m. The film will be preceded by a Bedouin tent experience.
THE CITADEL THEATRE of Lake Forest on Nov. 17, through a gift to the USO of Illinois, hosts a benefit for personnel at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center and USO of Illinois facilities.
Guests will see a special and exclusive advance performance of “A Christmas Story: The Musical” — the iconic 1983 story of Ralphie who tries to convince everyone a Red Ryder BB gun is the ideal Christmas gift. Non-profit Steven Esposito of Heal Team 6 is providing refreshments and treats for the guests. The movie plays publicly Nov. 18-Dec. 18.
YOUR SCREENING AND EVENT NEWS is always welcome. Send emails to ruth@reelchicago.com, or call 312/274-9980.
