Movie screenings in University Park can help fans withstand the wait for the sixth annual Chicago Southland International Film Festival, which will be in spring for the first time.
The second annual Summer Showcase opened June 29 with Northwestern University alumna Rebecca Halpern’s “Love, Charlie: The Rise and Fall of Chef Charlie Trotter” at Governors State University’s F1622 Amphitheater.
“We thought it would be a great kickoff for the summer because a lot of people love food and wine,” said Suzanne E. Patterson, who co-founded the Chicago Southland International Film Festival with Joshua E. Young of Monee.
“Having a Summer Showcase is a way for us to showcase the kind of work that’s getting made in the Chicago area. Also, it brings people together. My goal is to build a festival community in the southern suburbs.”
Summer Showcase continues July 13 with “Art and Pep,” which is directed and produced by Governors State University alumna Mercedes Kane, whose team included her husband, Sanghoon Lee, who served as director of photography.
“She’s made several films. She’s doing really well,” said Patterson, who added that Kane met her husband, a former Governors State University faculty member, at film school.
“They’re coming in to town in July so we believe Sanghoon and Mercedes will be at the screening and we’re hoping that Art and Pep or maybe just Pep will be at our screening.”
“Art and Pep,” which tied for the 58th Chicago International Film Festival’s Audience Choice Award for Documentary in 2022, is about Art Johnston and Pepe Peña, owners of LGBTQIA+ Chicago bar Sidetrack and social justice advocates.
Summer Showcase concludes Aug. 3 with the feature “Good Guy With a Gun,” which was written and directed by John Mossman.
“He heard about our look for films and submitted his film to us. We were all blown away,” said Patterson, who added that Mossman is co-founder of The Artistic Home theater and training program in Chicago and expected to be part of the after-film discussion.
“The story opens up an opportunity for a conversation about the different types of gun violence and gun culture. It’s a taut thriller.”
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A live question and answer session with cast and crew members follows each Summer Showcase screening.
“That’s what makes a film festival experience different than just heading out to the movies,” said Patterson, who is also Chicago Southland International Film Festival’s audience liaison.
“It’s a way to extend the experience into a much more inclusive sort of community event. We like to give audiences that special touch of being able to ask questions directly to the people who made the film.”
The next installment of the Chicago Southland International Film Festival, which traditionally took place in fall, is from April 4 to 6, 2024, at Governors State University.
“We turned it into a spring fest rather than a fall fest. That works better for students at Governors State University,” said Patterson of Homewood.
“We always want to feature some of their films. Their instructors at Governors State University are great about working into their curriculum that students attend the festival and be part of our whole buzz.”
Summer Showcase
When: 7 p.m. July 13 and Aug. 3
Where: Governors State University’s F1622 Amphitheater, 1 University Parkway, University Park
Tickets: $10 per screening
Information: 708-534-4393; govst.edu/csiff-summer-showcase
Jessi Virtusio is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.