Free Spirit Participants Take on CIFF Industry Days!

Chicago International Film Festival (CIFF) Industry Days serves as a hub for filmmakers and those in the film industry to network, attend panels and roundtables, and workshops for attendees to hone their skills! Although CIFF Industry Days ended on October 20 (with the entire festival ending a week later on October 27), Free Spirit Media participants are just beginning to apply what they learned to their development as media makers. Read more about each participant below.

Darren Sanders, Free Spirit PRO Crew member, was able to attend the premiere of Knives and Skin, for which he served as the Digital Imaging Technician! Darren reported that he felt great being able to attend the premiere of the movie and to speak with everyone involved and at the screening. “Knives and Skin,” directed by Jennifer Reeder, which follows the aftermath of the disappearance of a teenage girl in rural Illinois.

Jasmine Ogunjimi, 2019 Industry Pathways cohort member, attended both the cinematography panel, “Hit Me With Your Best Shot,” where she was able to meet the Director of Photography for FX’s “Snowfall,” Eliot Rockett, who was able to provide advice on how to navigate the industry as a professional of color. Jasmine also attended the “Master Class in Screenwriting with Steven Conrad,” where Jasmine was able to connect with Conrad himself. She then attended the CIFF Pitch Competition, which definitely helped develop her ability to articulate future work— she won the “Chicago Track: Script to Pitch” competition soon after. Way to go Jasmine!

Olivia Pearson, 2017 Industry Pathways Flash Forward Fellow, attended the panel with Art Director Wynn Thomas, of which she said, “Wynn is a talented production designer with a rich work history and understanding of space and history.”

Vashon Jordan, Jr., 2017 Industry Pathways Flash Forward Fellow and crew member for PRO, attended Hannah Beachler’s (Fruitvale Station, Beyonce’s Lemonade, and Black Panther) Masterclass on Production Design. Of his time at Industry Days, Vashon said, “I had a wonderful time at the Chicago International Film Festival’s Industry Days. The wide array of information that I digested and the skills that I gained were priceless! Being able to hear directly from industry professionals that I admire, and who’s work I love was truly remarkable. I thoroughly enjoyed Hannah Beachler’s master class and life lessons."

CIFF Industry Days was and is an enriching experience not only for our participants as they networked and workshopped their way through it, but it was also an essential experience for our staff, too— HoopsHIGH production coordinator Sherice, Industry Pathways Associate Covania, and Industry Pathways Coordinator Aira also attended! Thank you to the hard-working staff over at CIFF for making these opportunities possible.

Jasmine (center) with other attendees, Kimani and Annie.

Free Spirit Media staff, from left to right: Sherice, Aira, and Covania.

Vashon with Hannah Beachler (center) and another attendee, Kristian.