Ray Pride returns to host three 90-minute sessions in which audiences join spirited, wide-ranging conversations about the rapid evolution of filmmaking in the modern media landscape, the exciting revolution seen through emerging voices, and how bold and risk-taking films chosen by the festival’s programmers reflects the best and most promising trends crowding the horizon.

Thursday June 2 5 pm

PERSISTENCE OF VISION

Has underground stayed underground? A survey from now back into the past millennium.

“I call intoxication of the mind that state in which pleasure exceeds the possibilities which desire had entertained.” Roland Barthes, citing Flemish mystic John of Ruysbroeck.

Friday June 3 5 pm

DREAM LOGIC

Thematically, formally: how does cinema process the form of dream?

“The mind of the dreamer is fully satisfied with whatever happens to it. The agonizing question of possibility does not arise.†André Breton, Manifestoes of Surrealism

Saturday June 4 12 noon

PRINCIPALLY PLEASURE

Beauty: beauty of transgression, beauty of decadence, beauty of form, beauty of precision, beauty of abandon, perfume and sweat, lust and loss.

“Make visible what, without you, might perhaps never have been seen.” –Robert Bresson

Chicago’s longest-running movie reviewer, moderator Ray Pride is film critic of Newcity, a longtime contributing editor of IFP-published Filmmaker magazine, news editor of Movie City News (moviecitynews.com) and a photographer.

Sunday June 5 12 noon

Working with SAG-AFTRA’s Short Film Agreement

Kathy Byrne and Writer/Director John Lerchen will be on hand to answer questions about working with the SAG-AFTRA Short Film Agreement. If you have not yet had the opportunity to hear the details about this Agreement, and discover the ease and affordability of working with the contract in order to work with professional performers – this is the perfect opportunity to do so. Kathy is Director of TV/Theatrical for SAG-AFTRA Chicago. John is a Columbia College graduate who is currently working on his 3rd SAG-AFTRA feature. He has done approximately 10 SAG-AFTRA shorts in the past few years.