BWiFF

‘Breakup Season’ was revealed as the top award-winner at last week’s 2024 Blue Glass Awards, receiving Best Supporting Actress, Best Screenplay, Best Director, Best Narrative Feature, and Best of Fest. Watch the full awards presentation at bwiff.com/2024festival.

Dorian Weinzimmer, director of the music video ‘No Matter How Much,’ and Rachel Williams, lead singer for The Claudettes, participated in a Q&A moderated by festival judge Myra Rivera on April 23. Abby Wathen, writer of and lead in the short narrative ‘Trying,’ and David zum Brunnen, executive producer of and lead in the feature narrative ‘The Problem of the Hero,’ were also in attendance to discuss their films with judge chair Pete Guither.

H. Nelson Tracey, writer/director of the feature narrative ‘Breakup Season,’ and producer Stephen Mastrocola participated in a Q&A moderated by festival judge chair Pete Guither at #BWiFF2024 last night. Gríma Irmudóttir, co-director/producer of the short documentary ‘Náttúrubönd’ was also in attendance to discuss the film with judge Myra Rivera.

March, 1941, the St. James Theatre in New York. On the eve of opening night, a difference of opinion over a single page of the script threatens an impasse between two literary giants of the 20th Century. ‘The Problem of the Hero’ is the #BWiFF2024 closing night feature narrative at @Classic_Cinemas in Elk Grove Village on April 23. Get tickets online and explore the rest of our program at bwiff.com.

Chris Alan Evans, co-director of the short narrative ‘Caught on Tape’ participated in a Q&A moderated by festival judge chair Pete Guither on April 17. Michael Paris Stone, director of the short narrative ‘Favorite Things,’ Mark Kiefer, director of the short narrative ‘Or, The Whale,’ and Phil Duncan, director of the short documentary ‘Mississippi Mud: A Natural History of the Blues’ were also in attendance to discuss their films with judges Libi Hake and Myra Rivera.

The 2024 festival resumes tonight at @Classic_Cinemas in Elk Grove Village with the narrative feature 'Breakup Season,' preceded by four short films that vary in style and genre. Learn more about tonight's schedule and all of this week's official selections at bwiff.com.

Tuesday’s #BWiFF2024 official selections covered a wide range of styles and emotions. Antonella Spirito, writer/director of the feature narrative ‘The House That Stood,’ and producer/editor Barnaby Spikings participated in a Q&A moderated by festival judge Libi Hake. Mishu Hilmy, writer/director of the short narrative ‘Apolitical,’ and Ben Nissen, director of the music video ‘Tilt,’ were also in attendance to discuss their films with judge Myra Rivera.

A diverse and dramatic lineup of #BWiFF2024 official selections were highlighted on Monday night at the @Classic_Cinemas in Elk Grove Village Jiamin Zhao, director of the short narrative ‘Life is Elsewhere,’ participated in a Q&A on Monday moderated by festival judge chair Pete Guither. Director Jason Cooper and producer/editor Jay Armitage was also in attendance to discuss the short documentary ‘Geezers’ with judge Myra Rivera.

Story of a French painter whose life and art parallels much of contemporary France. From the revolutions in North Africa to the quiet countryside of Provence, he’s seen it all. Now, despite being alone, diabetic, in his nineties and nearly completely blind, he creates more work than ever before. Director Ben Shweky’s documentary ‘Roger’ is our Wednesday night feature presentation on April 17. View the full #BWiFF2024 schedule and order tickets online at bwiff.com.

Not in the Chicagoland area? Or can't physically make it to the 2024 Blue Whiskey Independent Film Festival? We've got good news: we're exhibiting 27 of this year's official selections through our Virtual Festival Experience! When you become an Imbibe Cinema member, you will get access to all official selections participating in the virtual program. Find the "Membership" tab on our website at bwiff.com to begin your membership today!

The 2024 festival opened at @Classic_Cinemas in Elk Grove Village last night and featured two documentaries with post-screening Q&As. Micere Keels, director of the feature documentary ‘The Fight for Black Lives,’ participated in a Q&A last night moderated by festival judge Libi Hake. Director Terah K. Hensley was also in attendance along with her brother and subject Trent Joseph to discuss their short documentary ‘The Fire in Me’ with festival judge chair Pete Guither.

Marco is struggling with substance abuse as he uses drugs to escape from his problems. His brother, Ángel, tries to help him by showing him a simpler way of life that doesn’t involve drugs. But after Angel is killed in a hit and run accident, Marco is left alone dealing with his grief and addiction while blaming himself for the death. Pablo Riesigo Almonacid‘s feature narrative ‘Marco Polo’ will play at #BWiFF2024 on Monday, April 15. Get tickets online at bwiff.com.

The “Geezer Happy Hour” is Ann Arbor’s hottest event – especially for the over 70 crowd. Every Friday, a graying generation put on their dance shoes and rock out to a live band like it’s 1968. At the center of it all is Randy Tessier. Watch the short documentary ‘Geezers’ from director Jason Cooper at #BWiFF2024 on Monday, April 15. The full schedule is available on our website at bwiff.com.

Get your #BWiFF2024 apparel before the store closes on April 24! Orders must be placed online and will be shipped directly to you. Visit shop.bwiff.com to get started.

All gone! Festival Passes are sold out. Only individual session tickets now remain. Have you purchased yours yet?

A young man struggles to communicate with his stroke-afflicted father, and at the same time, stay true to himself. George Ellzey Jr.‘s short narrative ‘Cottage Grove’ will play on Monday, April 22 at #BWiFF2024. View our complete lineup of official selections on our website at bwiff.com.

14th annual Blue Whiskey Independent Film Festival April 14-23 reelchicago.com/article/14th-a…

Camillo, a teenager, sees his life being turned upside down when some retreating German soldiers begin using his family’s inn as a base of operation in San Pietro Avellana, southern Italy, 1943. From writer/director Antonella Spirito, ‘The House That Stood’ will play at #BWiFF2024 on Tuesday, April 16 — sponsored by the Istituto Italiano di Cultura di Chicago. This sponsorship has also made it possible for Spirito to be in attendance for a post-screening Q&A. 🎟️ Get tickets at bwiff.com

NEW MERCH 👕 That’s right! We’re releasing new apparel through our @Bonfire store tomorrow morning beginning at 10am/c! Items will include an @allmadeapparel organic french terry pullover hoodie and crewneck sweatshirt, each made from 100% certified organic combed ring spun cotton. We’ve also got classic tie dye tees coming to the store. Visit the store at shop.bwiff.com. Orders will be available for only a limited time from April 7-24!

‘Katele (Mudskipper)’ is a #BWiFF2024 short that follows Martha who works tirelessly in a laundromat loading machines and folding when a mysterious visitor arrives. It is through this encounter that Martha is reminded of the life she left behind. View the complete festival schedule at bwiff.com and get tickets for nightly screenings.