Announcing:
CMP's new one minute promo!
And CMP MOVIE PREMIERES in AUGUST:
(Scroll please)
WATCH
We are thrilled to have so many films premiering this summer and fall, covering a range of topics:
ICARUS by Bryan Fogel
CMP has supported this project since 2016, attended it's premiere at Sundance 2017, and are thrilled to announce its worldwide premiere:
ICARUS on Netflix August 4, 2017!
Filmmaker Bryan Fogel sets out on a mission to learn about performance-enhancing drugs in sports. What he ends up discovering is far bigger than anyone could have even imagined. If your hair isn't standing on end after previewing the trailer, you have ice in your veins...
STEP by Amanda Lipitz
Another Sundance crowdpleaser, this film opens in theaters nationwide on August 4th as well!
In Chicago, you can see it at the CENTURY CENTER CINEMAS on Clark St, or the CENTURY 12 in Evanston!
WHOSE STREETS by Sabaah Folayan & Damon Davis
A tool for organizers, an incredible story. This CMP supported film will premiere nationwide on August 11th, following the anniversary of the death of Michael Brown:
A powerful call-to-arms for grassroots activists, this film celebrates the community of Ferguson MO and provides a model for all of us looking to organize and speak truth to power.
CHECK YOUR LOCAL MOVIE LISTINGS TO CATCH THIS POWERFUL FILM IN THEATERS BEGINNING AUGUST 11th!
TROPHY by Shaul Schwarz & Cristina Clusiau
Yet another Sundance favorite, this in-depth look into the powerhouse industries of big-game hunting, breeding and wildlife conservation in the U.S. and Africa unravels animals as commodities.
TROPHY will premiere in theaters on September 7th in NYC and LA!
From there, it will begin to roll out nationally - including a one-night eventized screening across the country on Sept 29th.
Check out the trailer for TROPHY here
BIRTHRIGHT: A WAR STORY by Civia Tamarkin
CMP has been a fiscal sponsor for this powerful film that tells the story of women who have become collateral damage in the aggressive campaign to take control of reproductive health care and to allow states, courts and religious doctrine to govern whether, when and how women will bear children.
WATCH THE TRAILER FOR BIRTHRIGHT
BIRTHRIGHT will screen in Chicago at: The Landmark Century Cinema on 8/22 at 7:15pm. & The Landmark Renaissance in Highland Park, IL on 8/23 (2 shows 4:30 & 7:15)
LEARN
Articles we're reading & discussing this summer:
In Sequel-Mad Hollywood, Even Documentaries Have Follow-Ups
For those of you who missed it at Sundance, AN INCONVENIENT SEQUEL premiered in theaters July 28th. This NYT article highlights the film as it discusses the popularity of sequels, even in the documentary space.
“In the crowded social-media environment, points of view are displacing facts,” Al Gore said, “and that’s created a space in which well-made documentaries have become the most powerful and effective way to deliver a message with integrity.”
Why Nonprofits Should Stop Supporting Film Production - Opinion
In this op-ed piece for Indiewire, film consultant Brian Newman argues that funding priorities should shift from filmmaker to audience cultivation. While we disagree with shifting any of the much-needed funding from filmmakers, we're proud to be focused on developing audiences for great documentary storytelling at CMP through Dinner N Docs @ the Davis, our DOC10 Film Festival and our signature Big Table Dinners.
"In a glutted marketplace of content, it’s increasingly hard to stand out from the crowd. Nearly every dollar spent on artist training and development should be shifted to audience development and helping to connect audiences to filmmaker’s work."
Christopher Nolan: I Won’t Work With Netflix Because Their Film Strategy is ‘Pointless’
An interesting piece from this high-powered Hollywood director, who argues that in the distribution landscape there still needs to be space for the theatrical experience of moviemaking. We couldn't agree more!
“I think the investment that Netflix is putting into interesting filmmakers and interesting projects would be more admirable if it weren’t being used as some kind of bizarre leverage against shutting down theaters,” he said. “It’s so pointless. I don’t really get it.”
IMPACT
Later this year CMP will help to celebrate the ten year anniversary of the Dreamcatcher Foundation, the subject of CMP-supported doc DREAMCATCHER, starring CEO Brenda Myers-Powell. An example of how a great documentary can spread the word about an amazing organization.
DREAMCATCHER was pitched at our very first GoodPitch Chicago in 2013, where we raised significant funding for the film which went on to win the World Cinema Directing Award at Sundance in 2015.
“This is not an outreach program; this is a relationship program.”
The Dreamcatcher Foundation was founded 10 years ago by Brenda Myers-Powell, and was formed to bring an end to human trafficking in Chicago. This not-for-profit organization works to prevent the sexual exploitation of at-risk youth and helps current prostitutes find confidence and stability beyond the limitations of their current lifestyle. Their harm reduction approach allows Chicago’s most disenfranchised young women take advantage of mentoring services and improve their lives through education, empowerment, and prevention.
WE ARE THRILLED TO SUPPORT THIS INCREDIBLE FOUNDATION AND THIS INCREDIBLE LADY. CHECK BACK FOR MORE DETAILS ON THE EVENT SOON!
