“Departing Seniors” and “All Happy Families,” films made thanks to the talents of Columbia alums, will be shown at the 59th Chicago International Film Festival. Dashawna Wright MFA ’18, producer of “Departing Seniors,” will be coming to Columbia with the film’s cast and crew for a preview and discussion.

Nothing says fall in Chicago like the annual Chicago International Film Festival, which will be held this year October 11 through October 22. Throughout the years, Columbia College Chicago alumni, students, and faculty have played important roles in the festival — whether it was working behind the scenes, volunteering, participating in discussions, or having their films screened for audiences. And this year is no different, with Alum Sam Flancher ’13 continuing his role as a programmer for the festival and Columbia alums showing their films at the festival.

“Departing Seniors,” an official selection of the festival, was produced by Columbia alum Dashawna Wright MFA ’18 and will be screened opening night at the Music Box Theater. In this Chicago-set teen slasher film, a gay Latinx high school student develops psychic powers and becomes an unlikely hero.

For those interested in the film and those behind it, Columbia College Chicago will be hosting a sneak peak of the film’s trailer and a discussion about the film on Oct. 10. Wright and Judy Febles '14, line producer on the film, will be at the event along with other members of the cast and crew. To get tickets to this free event, visit here.

 

 

“All Happy Families” is another film at the festival that is backed by Columbia talent. For this film, Lua Borges ’20 served as assistant director and Taylor Brady ’20 worked as second assistant camera. Also set in Chicago, this dysfunctional family comedy stars “How I Met Your Mother’s” Josh Radnor as an aspiring actor living in his family’s crumbling two flat.

 

 

The Chicago International Film Festival not only provides a venue for the work of Columbia alums and involvement in the film community, it’s a shining example of the amazing cultural events available to those living in Chicago.

 

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