every third sunday of the month from 2-5pm @ facets
Cafe Focus is a monthly pop up event for Chicago-based filmmakers, film workers, and film appreciators to connect with each other and (optionally) share new work in a low-pressure environment with free coffee.
Regardless of whether you’re sharing work, we invite anyone and everyone to show up, watch, and participate. We will have dedicated time at the beginning and end of each event for informal mingling. Some months will also include short presentations from members of the Full Spectrum Features team and other special guests.
If you would like to screen up to 20 minutes of work and receive feedback from peers, please fill out the rolling submission form below.
Submission Criteria:
20 minutes or less of content (can be an excerpt if total runtime exceeds 20 mins).
In-progress or recently completed work.
Filmmakers must submit their own work and be able to attend the screening in person.
We will accept all forms of 2D moving image art including narrative, documentary, experimental, music video, dance film, etc. We cannot accept commercials, campaign videos, industrial films, VR, or expanded cinema.
There are no limits on content, genre, or form. We welcome work that is difficult, mature, political, provocative or transgressive. We reserve the right to reject work that we deem to be offensive or hateful towards an individual or group.
FAQ
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Our goal is to screen everything submitted that fits the criteria. Submissions will be selected for participation on a first-come-first-serve basis.
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No, this event is designed to preserve the premiere status of everything being screened. We will not advertise specific films or filmmakers ahead of time.
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Go for it! We invite you to share the fact that your film is screening in whatever manner you choose. We just want each participating filmmaker to be able to make this decision on an individual basis.
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A member of the FSF team will provide basic discussion moderation, but it is ultimately up to you to ask for the kind of feedback you’re looking for. While we work hard to cultivate a respectful environment, we cannot predict who will attend or what they will say.
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If your film is still in progress, you could ask for actionable feedback about editing and post-production decisions.
If your film is finished, you could ask for feedback that serves your distribution efforts such as festivals where it may be a good fit, how it could be marketed, or workshopping your logline. Or you could just use this as an opportunity to share something you made and invite open-ended discussion about methods and themes.
Join us for our next meetup!
ABOUT US
FULL SPECTRUM FEATURES NFP is a Chicago-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to driving equity in the independent film industry by producing, exhibiting, and supporting the work of women, BIPOC, disabled, and LGBTQIA+ filmmakers. We also aim to educate the public about important social and cultural issues, utilizing the power of cinema to foster understanding in our communities. Our core services include film production and impact distribution, as well as industry-leading educational and field-building initiatives.
