FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Joseph Lewis

PHONE: 773-528-6854

E-MAIL: press@icmediacenter.org

;nside Story

Inspirational Film Festival Curated by Women in Custody

Festival Features SIX Chicago Premieres plus Director Q&A

Summer/Chicago - ICMC and the Cook County Jail proudly present ;nside Story, curated by women in custody for the Women’s View Film Festival.

 Two screenings will be presented: Thursday, June 20th at 11:30am at Cook County Jail and on Saturday, June 22nd, 6:30 pm Reception, 7pm Screening at 625 N. Kingsbury St., Chicago, IL., 60654.

Tombstone Pillow (Phillipines/USA)

Kenya's Symphony (USA)

Thirty-five women in medium/maximum security at Cook County Jail spent twelve weeks acting as a professional film jury in the ICMC's Women's View program. After viewing,

rating, and discussing 80 top tier independent short films, participants curated ;nside Story.

The spirited festival program features eleven films from six countries and includes six Chicago premieres, plus the world premiere of The Birthday Party, a short film made by the women during a 2-day filmmaking workshop held at Cook County Jail.

Women's View Job Training

Thirty Certificates of Achievement were awarded to women at a graduation celebration on May 6th. ICMC will also provide employment references for Women's View program graduates following their release from jail.

As part of its ongoing commitment to program participants. ICMC has hired 2023 WorldScene program graduate, Azul Hernandez, age 15, to act as Assistant Editor for The Birthday Party.

“This program truly made us feel valued."

~ M.J. Norman, Women's View Participant

According to participant K. McCann, ";nside Story explores what brings joy and meaning to each of us." S. Rumaneh says, "We wanted to show that love can be a small insight or a heroic act." C. Gayton continued, "The characters in these films illuminate the kinds of choices that can change our world and open our hearts." 

Festival screenings will be followed by Q&A's with directors. Audiences at both festival sites will also vote for their favorite films to determine the winner of the Women's View Best of the Fest prize.

Women's View Film Festival 2024

Thursday, June 20th, 11:30am at Cook County Jail

Saturday, June 22nd, 7pm at 625 N. Kingsbury St., Chicago, IL. 60654

From small insights to heroic acts, these characters illuminate the choices that change our world and open our hearts.  You’ll be inspired by Jesse’s approach to unwelcome news in Memaw (USA), and uplifted by a caretaker’s compassion in Our Side (Italy). Then, marvel at the animated artistry and iconic images in How Long, Not Long (Denmark). The full line-up of films includes: Castaway (France), Memaw (USA), How Long, Not Long (Denmark), Tombstone Pillow (Philippines/USA), Go, Dani, Go (US), Our Side (Italy), Kenya’s Symphony (USA), The Felling of Colston (UK), Detroit Hives (USA), Dawn (USA), o28 (France).

Suggested Donation: $10

FREE to families of individuals in custody.

Seating is limited. Call 773-528-6854 or email info@icmediacenter.org to reserve your seats.

For interviews or more information about Women’s View, contact Joseph Lewis at (773) 528-6854 or email Press@icmediacenter.org



###

About ICMC

ICMC is a nonprofit cultural and educational organization dedicated to closing the achievement gap for BIPOC individuals by humanizing the way children and youth use and engage film and technology. ICMC has received a Gold Seal of Transparency from Candid.

About Cook County Jail Women's Division

The Cook County Jail is one of the largest jails in the U.S. and houses about 200 women in medium and maximum security.