📽️ Black filmmaking in Chicago

Plus: your Fat Tuesday plans in Bronzeville. [View this email in your browser]( [READER Logo]( Daily Reader | February 2, 2024 Happy Friday, Daily Readers, and Happy Black History Month! As we move into this time dedicated to celebrating the accomplishments and achievements of historic Black Americans, it might be easy to forget that new stories are being written every single day. The folks that make our beautiful city such an inspiring place to live are sharing their passions 365 days a year, and it’s critical that they receive consistent support to continue their work. In order to create that focused space in the present, we’re honoring the past and present while looking to the future. It’s important to have a time of year where we can share the stories of diverse creators with formal recognition and intentionality - and I’m looking forward to attending some of the workshops, shows, special exhibits, and other festivities that Chicago’s community organizations have to offer. To keep that energy going, every Friday this month, we’ll be highlighting Black-owned businesses and organizations that deserve your attention and support, along with amplifying stories from our archives that celebrate multi-dimensional Black culture here in Chicago. With Sundance wrapping up last week and [Oscars season right around the corner]( (though I’d be remiss not to mention [#OscarsSoWhite]( we’re talking local film this week. A survey of Black film in Chicago would be incomplete without a mention of [Oscar Micheaux]( who depicted complex, contemporary, stereotype-challenging characters in his 44 films. Today, we have plenty to celebrate in the world of Black filmmaking. For example, [Black in Film]( a database founded by [Ramone Hulet]( was created as a resource to get more Black filmmakers hired in behind-the-camera crew positions. They’ve connected over 1,600 members to thousands of industry jobs and opportunities since being featured in this [June 2020 Reader article](. Below, you will find film-related stories from the Reader archives, including an Afrofuturistic musical, scoring silent race films, [plus a brand-new catalog of local film programming](. See you next Friday to continue celebrating the rich breadth of Black Chicago! Cheers, Maja Stachnik | Marketing Associate at the Reader [three women standing on the red carpet at a premiere]( [Reviewing while Black at Sundance]( February 2020 | On criticism, inclusion—and exclusion—at one of the most diverse Sundance festivals in history. by [Sheri Flanders]( | [Read more]( → [two women sitting in a garden with candles]( [Paying homage to Black women in film]( January 2023 | The Sojourner Truth Festival of the Arts returns with an open-to-the-public celebration and film series. by [Arionne Nettles]( | [Read more]( → [Renée Baker on the challenges of scoring silent race films]( September 2016 | This fall the musician will provide live accompaniment to two mid-1920s pictures. by [J.R. Jones]( | [Read more]( → [Neptune Frost is limitless]( June 2022 | A sci-fi, Afrofuturistic musical spans the wide depths of time, identity, and innovation. by [Arionne Nettles]( | [Read more]( → [Chicago’s housing crisis, public restroom access, ShotSpotter courts the Johnson administration]( by [Shawn Mulcahy]( | [Read more]( → Enter for a chance to win tickets! Ten winners will be chosen on Feb. 7. Sam Thousand and YumDiva (Chef Erika Durham) are creating an experience full of engaging art forms and soul food for Black History Month. [BRONZEVILLE NOLA]( combines the cultural heritage of historic Bronzeville and New Orleans, all in one event. There will be nearly 30 performers, activities and attractions, NOLA cuisine, and Big Easy Libations. [Enter here: entries accepted until 11:59 PM Feb. 6!]( Get the latest issue of the Chicago Reader Thursday, January 25, 2024 [READ ONLINE: VOL. 53, NO. 8]( [VIEW/DOWNLOAD ISSUE (PDF)]( [Become a member of the Chicago Reader.]( [Twitter icon]( [Facebook icon]( [Instagram icon]( [LinkedIn icon]( [YouTube icon]( [Website icon]( [Logo] You received this email because you signed up for newsletters from the Chicago Reader. Want fewer emails from us? [Click here to choose what you want us to send you](. Or, [unsubscribe from all Reader emails](. We’ll miss you! [Sign up for emails from the Chicago Reader]( | [Forward this e-mail to a friend]( © 2024 Chicago Reader. All rights reserved. Chicago Reader, 2930 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 102, Chicago, IL 60616