Chicago United Film Festival
September 18 - 24
Where art and creativity create a united film community.
United Festivals holds a rich tradition of showcasing humorous, touching and provoking films which provides a unique experience for filmmakers and filmgoers alike. Beginning in Tulsa, OK in 2002, United Festivals expanded to Los Angeles & New York in 2007. In 2009 United Festivals expanded to San Francisco, Chicago and London bringing its exciting flare for cinema to an even wider audience.
Chicago United is proud to present an amazing list of Feature-Length Narratives and Documentaries. All films will be Chicago Premieres or Special Engagement Screenings and will be preceded by a few Award-Winning Short Films.
Ticket Information
All film screenings are $10, All Access Passes are $70 & Mini Passes are $35
Purchase advance tickets here.
Films Include:
FREE SHORT FILM BLOCK - “Discovery” September 18, 5:30pm; September 21, 5:30pm; September 22, 5:30pm; September 23, 5:30pm; September 24, 5:30pm
Includes
The Apparatus | Nick Bradford, Jesse Moore
The Office Farm Series Part 1: ELECTRIC MESSIAH | Jon Pesochin and Zachary Rothman
The Shaman’s Apprentice | Max Nova
Like Dandelion Dust September 18, 7:00pm
Based on the best-selling novel by Karen Kingsbury, Like Dandelion Dust is a story of a family whose lives change when their adopted son’s biological father is released from prison and discovers a loophole in the adoption papers.
Airplay: The Rise and Fall of Rock Radio September 18, 9:30pm
A documentary about the 50 year struggle between rock pioneers and powerful business/government interests for the soul of music radio, told by America’s favorite deejays and the artists they made rock stars.
Jaws September 18, midnight
See Steven Spielberg’s classic on the big screen and witness how movie making was forever changed. It’ll prepare you for “The Shark is Still Working,” uncovering the Impact and Legacy of Jaws.
Fowl Play: The Untold Story of the Incredible Edible Egg September 19, 2:30pm
A group of animal advocates discuss humanity’s relationship with animals as they work to expose the hidden cruelty of the American egg industry.
Blue Gold: World Water Wars September 19, 4:30pm
Global Warming is an issue of “how” we love. The water crisis is an issue of “if” we live.
Facing the Fat September 19, 7:00pm
At 315 pounds and 53% body fat, Director Kenny Saylors is morbidly obese. Kenny embarks on a world record breaking 55 day, doctor supervised water only fast to discover the affects of this ancient practice and determine if healing properties truly do exist within our own bodies. Find out what really happens when someone stops eating for 55 days.
The Shark is Still Working: The Impact and Legacy of Jaws September 19, 9:30pm; September 19, midnight; September 20, 1:00pm
After three decades, Jaws continues to intrigue, thrill and frighten viewers. This documentary focuses on the many ways Jaws has helped to shape common elements of pop culture.
Bleacher Boys September 20, 3:30pm
Bleacher Boys is the story of six men who shared a common dream as boys, the dream of growing up and playing major league baseball. Six men, each of whose dream was dashed at an early age due to blindness – as if the stadium lights suddenly went dark.
The Providence Effect September 20, 6:00pm
The Providence Effect is the story of an individual man, the inner city Chicago school he founded, and the student lives the school has changed and saved. The school, Providence St. Mel, has a 30 year, 100% college placement record: with an ‘old school’ approach to learning —- ‘Do the work.’ —- and a dedicated corps of teachers and administrators. Providence St. Mel can serve as a model for revamping American education.
I Am Hip Hop: The Chicago Hip Hop Documentary September 20, 8:30pm
I Am Hip Hop: The Chicago Hip Hop Documentary is about street music. It’s about the underground, where hoop dreams are formed and the hardest MCs come to play. This film is about the rappers that live, breathe, sleep and eat hip hop, who have a one in a million shot and know it. this is their story.
The Lost Coast September 21, 7:00pm
Mark, Jasper and Lily, a cynical and bitter trio barely connected by their past highschool friendship, reunite for the annual public Halloween celebration in San Francisco’s Castro district. When the huge crowds of costumed revelers fail to entertain them, they begin a quest to find an elusive acquaintance who might provide them with some ecstasy.
Complacent September 21, 9:30pm
Two close sisters struggle with their differences in life. When their lives are shaken to the core by a tragedy, they must decide whether to continue to coast through their complacent lives or to strive for more.
Strictly Background September 22, 7:00pm
A heartfelt film that explores the charm and determination behind some of Hollywood’s hardest working actors, professional “extras”. Following ten background actors, the film examines life on and off set as they attempt to make a living as a face in a crowd.
Monsters From the Id September 22, 9:30pm
Monsters From The Id weaves the intersecting themes of over thirty classic films in order to tell the untold story of the Modern Scientist and his role in inspiring a nation. The film continues to explore the psychological and cultural impact of 1950’s Sci-Fi cinema in America and asks, “where is science inspiration found today?
The Rock-afire Explosion September 23, 7:00pm
The documentary about a small-town disc jockey, a struggling inventor, and an animatronic rock band, that quickly becomes an eccentric portrait of childhood memories, broken dreams, and the resilience of the human spirit.
Last Cup: Road to the World Series of Beer Pong September 23, 9:30pm
This documentary covers the fascinating and fast growing underground sport of beer pong.
Etienne! September 24, 7:00pm
After Richard’s best and only friend, a dwarf hamster named Etienne, is diagnosed with terminal cancer, he decides to take him on a bicycle road trip up the California coast to show him the world before he must put him to sleep.
All’s Faire in Love September 24, 9:30pm
After years of performing together, a rag-tag theatre troupe is about to lose its prime gig at Ye Olde Times Renaissance Faire when the Faire’s owner threatens to hand over their stage to a rival troupe of conceited, classically-trained Shakespearean actors. The group must find help from an unexpected source – their two new backstage hands, a young actor and actress who must overcome all opposition to prove their worth, win the day, and – perhaps – fall in love.